Corey Mullins had worked in the trade over a decade when he bought a tiny, failing HVAC business for its phone number.

Register for the webinars:

• What Actually Makes a Good Deal? Patterns from 1,000+ Transactions- TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4m4gsy5
• Offshore Talent vs. AI for Business Buyers - Tue, Mar 31 - https://bit.ly/4uW6rXG

Topics in Corey’s interview:

• His 20-year career in HVAC
• Failed buyout of the family business
• Simultaneous launch and acquisition
• Buying a truck and a phone number
• Build-to-sell philosophy
• Growth through online marketing
• Waiting too long to hire managers
• Taking vacations no matter what
• Evolution of the “Trade Dad”
• Exiting to private equity in under 4 years

References and how to contact Corey:

• completeairquality@gmail.com
• Cool By Design
• Patrick Lange
• Patrick Norris on Acquiring Minds: Buy & Build a Trash Business to a $4.4m Exit

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

• Pioneer Capital Advisory

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

• Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

• Book a call with Tim or hello@systemsix.com and mention Acquiring Minds

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

• See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
• Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
• Follow Will on Twitter

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

Eric Donahue quickly grew revenue to $6m thanks to operational enhancements, culture tweaks, and a little good luck.

Register for the webinar:

• What Actually Makes a Good Deal? Patterns from 1,000+ Transactions - Thurs March 26th - https://bit.ly/4lT2ajG

Topics in Eric’s interview:

• Navy SEAL career and retirement
• Performing the basics at a high level
• His tree service side hustle
• Old school proprietary search
• Buying an off-market paving company
• Forgoing SBA for a conventional loan
• Working in the field to learn the asphalt trade
• 40% revenue growth in 13 months
• Splitting his crew to keep the team productive
• Using his military clearance to win jobs

References and how to contact Eric:

• LinkedIn
• Peninsula Paving
• Hunter at Hanger Law

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

• The Acquisition Lab

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

• Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

• From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.com

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

• See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
• Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
• Follow Will on Twitter

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

After 25 years on The Street, Brian Anderson discovered passion in buying small businesses — despite brutal challenges.

Register for the webinar:

• How to Handle Common Employee Issues When Buying a Business - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4sa946l

Topics in Brian’s interview:

• Career in investment banking/hedge funds
• Closure of his firm
• Pursuing small business as an asset class
• Low multiples are fairly valued
• Acquiring in manufacturing
• Learning every operational function himself
• Acquiring with no debt
• Being away from his family M-F
• His big mistake during Covid
• Selling to his COO

References and how to contact Brian:

• LinkedIn
• His essay on the experience: Deco Manufacturing Summary and Lessons

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

• From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.com

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

• Book a call with Tim or hello@systemsix.com and mention Acquiring Minds

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

• The Acquisition Lab

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

• See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
• Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
• Follow Will on Twitter

Edited by Anton Rohozov

Produced by Pam Cameron