Acquisitions Anonymous - #1 for business buying, selling and operating – Details, episodes & analysis

For this episode we found a live lobster storage and seafood processing company in Nova Scotia that's up for sale. They are asking $8.9 million, and are making $55M in revenue, but it all comes with its own set of challenges. We chat about what it takes to succeed in this niche industry, and why this might be a dream deal for the right buyer (or a nightmare for others). If you're curious about the seafood business or just love interesting deals, tune in 

Thanks to this episode's sponsor:

Acquisition Lab and their team have been longtime supporters of the pod.

Acquisition Lab exists to help people buy a business and navigate all the complexities of the process, as well as provide a trusted framework, tools, and resources to support you from search to close.

If you are serious about buying a business, check out acquisitionlab.com or email the Lab's director Chelsea Wood, chelsea@buythenbuild.com and mention us ;)

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For inquiries or suggestions, email us at contact@acquanon.com

In this episode, Bill and Heather talked about the key strategies for structuring an SBA loan for a seasonal eCommerce business. They also discussed the challenges of managing inventory and working capital and offered practical advice on how to approach lenders and structure your deal effectively. 

If you want to learn more about SBA Loan and Heather's work, visit her website Visocap.net 

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• Follow us on Twitter @acquanon Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations.

For inquiries or suggestions, email us at contact@acquanon.com

Today, we look at a $2.1M agency that's for sale but may not be quite ready to be sold. It brings in $500K a year and has a strong social media following, which sounds great. But there are issues, like no recurring revenue and it relies too much on its founder. We discuss what needs to change to make this business a solid buy. If you're interested in business deals and agency growth, this episode is for you!

Listing: We found this deal on acquire.com

Thanks to this week's sponsor:

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Get more deals like this every week. 

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• Do you enjoy our content? Rate our show!
• Follow us on Twitter @acquanon Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations.

For inquiries or suggestions, email us at contact@acquanon.com

In episode 228, Acquisition's Anonymous features Trent Lee (@TrentBizBroker) to share his insights as the broker from the Vegas wedding chapels featured in episode 130.  He joins Heather (@EndresenHeather) and Michael (@girdley) to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the acquisition.  Trent offers some reassurance that Michael and Bill's initial breakdown of the business was pretty solid while sharing some interesting insights around the seller and eventual buyer.

To watch the original episode, click here. 

Thanks to this episode's sponsors!

The Science of Scaling, hosted by Mark Roberge. Mark is a Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School and in each episode, he interviews the most successful sales leaders in tech to help you learn how to scale a business. Whether that’s how to find outside capital, or what to look for in your first sales hire.

Search for “The Science of Scaling” in your favorite podcast app

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CloudBookkeeping offers adaptable solutions to businesses that want to focus on growth with a “client service first” approach. They offer a full suite of accounting services, including sophisticated reporting, QuickBooks software solutions, and full-service payroll options.

Subscribe to weekly our Newsletter and get curated deals in your inbox

Advertise with us by clicking here

• Do you love Acquanon and want to see our smiling faces? Subscribe to our Youtube channel.
• Do you enjoy our content? Rate our show!
• Follow us on Twitter @acquanon Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations.

For inquiries or suggestions, email us at contact@acquanon.com

In episode 227, Acquisition's Anonymous features John Wilson (@WilsonCompanies) for another episode. He joins Heather (@EndresenHeather) and Michael (@girdley) in discussing the potential acquisition of an HVAC and plumbing company in Northwestern Ohio. They analyzed the listing, priced at $980,000 with a cash flow of $235,351 and gross revenue of $1,217,347. They point out that the business seems stagnant, operating in a region with limited growth opportunities, and stress the importance of understanding customer acquisition costs. John and Heather caution against overpaying and highlight the significance of having a clear strategy for growth before acquiring a home service company.

Check out the listing here: https://www.bizbuysell.com/Business-Opportunity/northwest-ohio-heating-and-air-and-plu[…]lVnUjVkUU1rVlJjNDB6Z0lGVzc5eW9CNXkxNXBOUm9Db0ZNUUF2RF9Cd0U=

Thanks to today's Sponsors!

HoldCoConference, the conference exclusively focused on HoldCo Entrepreneurs and Executives. This conference is where Holding Companies meet, learn, scale and grow. From tech to Home Services, Holdco Entrepreneurs from around the globe will be meeting in Cleveland this September 18-20th in Cleveland Ohio.

Check out holdcoconf.com for more details.

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CloudBookkeeping offers adaptable solutions to businesses that want to focus on growth with a “client service first” approach. They offer a full suite of accounting services, including sophisticated reporting, QuickBooks software solutions, and full-service payroll options.

Subscribe to weekly our Newsletter and get curated deals in your inbox

Advertise with us by clicking here

• Do you love Acquanon and want to see our smiling faces? Subscribe to our Youtube channel.
• Do you enjoy our content? Rate our show!
• Follow us on Twitter @acquanon Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations.

For inquiries or suggestions, email us at contact@acquanon.com

In episode 226, Acquisition's Anonymous features John Wilson (@WilsonCompanies) as a special guest. He joins Heather (@EndresenHeather) and Michael (@girdley) in discussing a sports and event management company that generates around $12 million in annual revenue, known for organizing events like Tough Mudder. The episode explores the business's dynamics and potential challenges, such as venue costs. You'll also hear about John and some awesome things going on in his world.

Today's deal comes from Axial.  Axial is a trusted deal-sourcing platform serving professional acquirers in the American lower middle market.

Axial partners with over 2,000 boutique investment bankers and business brokers who use the Axial platform for marketing their deals to lower-middle market acquirers.

Thanks to today's Sponsors!

HoldCoConference, the conference exclusively focused on HoldCo Entrepreneurs and Executives. This conference is where Holding Companies meet, learn, scale and grow. From tech to Home Services, Holdco Entrepreneurs from around the globe will be meeting in Cleveland this September 18-20th in Cleveland Ohio.

Check out holdcoconf.com for more details.

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CloudBookkeeping offers adaptable solutions to businesses that want to focus on growth with a “client service first” approach. They offer a full suite of accounting services, including sophisticated reporting, QuickBooks software solutions, and full-service payroll options.

Subscribe to weekly our Newsletter and get curated deals in your inbox

Advertise with us by clicking here

• Do you love Acquanon and want to see our smiling faces? Subscribe to our Youtube channel.
• Do you enjoy our content? Rate our show!
• Follow us on Twitter @acquanon Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations.

For inquiries or suggestions, email us at contact@acquanon.com

In Episode 225, Heather (@EndresenHeather) and Michael (@girdley) explore an expert witness prep business. The seller is asking for $6.1 million for a Boston-based business with $4.1 million in revenue and $1.25 million in cash flow. They discuss the risks tied to the business's heavy reliance on the seller's connections and the unpredictable revenue patterns in the industry and debate whether the business can be scaled by expanding its reach beyond the seller's network and hiring sales representatives. 

You can find the listing here: https://www.bizquest.com/business-for-sale/expert-witness-prep-and-placement-for-law-firms/BW2117764/

Thanks to this week's sponsors!

Employer Flexible will help you take action to streamline your company’s HR processes. They are the proud provider of flexible and adaptable PEO services. If you’re a small business trying to grow, and you’re struggling with a lack of internal HR, or you’re just dissatisfied with your current HR setup, consider Employer Flexible as your next vendor for HR outsourcing services.

Check them out at https://www.employerflexible.com/.

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CloudBookkeeping offers adaptable solutions to businesses that want to focus on growth with a “client service first” approach. They offer a full suite of accounting services, including sophisticated reporting, QuickBooks software solutions, and full-service payroll options.

Subscribe to weekly our Newsletter and get curated deals in your inbox

Advertise with us by clicking here

• Do you love Acquanon and want to see our smiling faces? Subscribe to our Youtube channel.
• Do you enjoy our content? Rate our show!
• Follow us on Twitter @acquanon Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations.

For inquiries or suggestions, email us at contact@acquanon.com

In episode 224 of Acquisitions Anonymous,  Michael (@girdley), Heather (@EndresenHeather), and Mills (@thegeneralmills) discuss a metal service center company for sale in Chicago. Initially promising, the deal loses its shine as they uncover pricing issues and nuances that make it less attractive. The seller's high price expectations and demands for inventory payment add complexity. They highlight the challenges of such deals, including lengthy negotiations that can deter potential buyers.

Check out the listing here:https://www.bizbuysell.com/Business-Opportunity/Metal-Service-Center-Company-for-Sale/2129568/

Thanks to this week's sponsors.

Acquisition Lab and their team have been longtime supporters of the pod.

Created by Walker Diebel author of Buy Then Build: How to Outsmart the Startup Game, is an accelerator with a highly vetted cohort-based educational and support community for people serious about buying a business.

Acquisition Lab exists to help people buy a business and navigate all the complexities of the process, as well as provide a trusted framework, tools, and resources to support you from search to close.

If you are serious about buying a business check out acquisitionlab.com or email the Lab's director Chelsea Wood, chelsea@buythenbuild.com.

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CloudBookkeeping offers adaptable solutions to businesses that want to focus on growth with a “client service first” approach. They offer a full suite of accounting services, including sophisticated reporting, QuickBooks software solutions, and full-service payroll options.

Subscribe to weekly our Newsletter and get curated deals in your inbox

Advertise with us by clicking here

• Do you love Acquanon and want to see our smiling faces? Subscribe to our Youtube channel.
• Do you enjoy our content? Rate our show!
• Follow us on Twitter @acquanon Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations.

For inquiries or suggestions, email us at contact@acquanon.com

In Episode 223, Heather (@EndresenHeather) and Michael (@girdley) explore a unique opportunity involving a company that manufactures sports and military protective gear with a significant patent portfolio. The good: the products have some high-profile endorsements. The bad: $300 million is a steep asking price... and what's the real value of those patents?

You can find the  listing here: https://mailchi.mp/websiteclosers/15-year-brand-in-the-sports-military-protective-gear-segments-massive-ip-portfolio-of-100-patents-40-repeat-customer-rate?e=57d56ab794

Thanks to this weeks sponsors!

Employer Flexible will help you take action to streamline your company’s HR processes. They  are the proud provider of flexible and adaptable PEO services. If you’re a small business trying to grow, and you’re struggling with a lack of internal HR or you’re just dissatisfied with your current HR setup, consider Employer Flexible as your next vendor for HR outsourcing services.

Check them out at https://www.employerflexible.com/.

------------------

CloudBookkeeping offers adaptable solutions to businesses that want to focus on growth with a “client service first” approach. They offer a full suite of accounting services, including sophisticated reporting, QuickBooks software solutions, and full-service payroll options.

Subscribe to weekly our Newsletter and get curated deals in your inbox

Advertise with us by clicking here

• Do you love Acquanon and want to see our smiling faces? Subscribe to our Youtube channel.
• Do you enjoy our content? Rate our show!
• Follow us on Twitter @acquanon Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations.

For inquiries or suggestions, email us at contact@acquanon.com

Heather  (@EndresenHeather), and Bill (@BillDA) review one of Bill's favorite types of companies. Rentals! A business that manages rentals for Hollywood movie companies.

They wrap up the episode with a conversation around specialized lenders and acquiring a business from your parents.

Find the listing here.

Thanks to our sponsors!

Acquisition Lab. Acquisition Lab and their team have been longtime supporters of the pod.

Created by Walker Diebel author of Buy Then Build: How to Outsmart the Startup Game, is an accelerator with a highly vetted cohort-based educational and support community for people serious about buying a business.

A lot of our listeners tune in each week to our deal reviews, want to get in on buying a business, but don’t know where to start.

Acquisition Lab exists to help people buy a business and navigate all the complexities of the process, as well as provide a trusted framework, tools, and resources to support you from search to close.

If you are serious about buying a business check out acquisitionlab.com or email the Lab's director Chelsea Wood, chelsea@buythenbuild.com.

-------------

CloudBookkeeping offers adaptable solutions to businesses that want to focus on growth with a “client service first” approach. They offer a full suite of accounting services, including sophisticated reporting, QuickBooks software solutions, and full-service payroll options.

Subscribe to weekly our Newsletter and get curated deals in your inbox

Advertise with us by clicking here

• Do you love Acquanon and want to see our smiling faces? Subscribe to our Youtube channel.
• Do you enjoy our content? Rate our show!
• Follow us on Twitter @acquanon Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations.

For inquiries or suggestions, email us at contact@acquanon.com