Acquiring Minds

Joseph Cruz left a lucrative job in finance to pursue business ownership. Year 1 has gone well (despite losing his GM).
Register for the webinars: 
What Type of Franchise Is Right for You? - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/48gn6eH
The Operator’s Perspective: Running a Business for an Owner - Thu, Apr 9 - https://bit.ly/4m7lSZ7
Topics in Joseph’s interview:
Growing up in a Filipino immigrant family
Why aging infrastructure creates long-term opportunity
The laundromat that started it all
Running an “oh sh*t” business 
Construction seasonality in Chicago
Last-minute GM retirement before closing
Running the business while still working his W-2 job
The scramble to digitize knowledge stuck in employees’ heads
Building systems, vendor lists, and shared documentation
Setting the company’s “emotional temperature” as the owner
References and how to contact Joseph:
LinkedIn
A&A LinkedIn
A&A Equipment and Supply Co.

Articles by Joseph:
From Spreadsheets to Steel-Toed Boots: Lessons from the First Few Months as an Entrepreneur
Small Businesses are Small for a Reason: What It Really Takes to Modernize a 40-Year-Old Distribution Business
The Real Work Begins: Midway Through My First Year as a Business Owner
Top 10 lessons from my first year of owning a business
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
From this page or contact [email protected]
Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Pioneer Capital Advisory
If you’re serious about buying a business, learn why Acquisition Lab members have a 40% success rate:
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

It took Robin Kovitz fours years to find her business, which she has built into an industry leader and her life's work.
Register for the webinar:
Quality of Technology (QoT) Report: Protecting Your Acquisition - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4d9F2en
Topics in Robin’s interview:
Upbringing in the meat industry
Early career in investment banking and M&A
Her 4-year search for a business
Always visit the competitors
Critique of the 2-year search clock
"Long-termism" and becoming a B Corp
Her 3 non-negotiables
Turning around the gift basket business
Solving their storage problem
The payoff and price of high ambition
References and how to contact Robin:
LinkedIn
Baskits
Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:
Email Nick Akers at [email protected], and tell him you’re a searcher
If you’re serious about buying a business, learn why Acquisition Lab members have a 40% success rate:
The Acquisition Lab
Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Pioneer Capital Advisory
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 and produced by Pam Cameron

Jack Foster & Jake McLaughlin raised $2.8m to buy 10 Meineke stores. That equity has taken them further than expected.
Register for the webinars: 
Offshore Talent vs. AI for Business Buyers - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/4bAIbTj
Quality of Technology (QoT) Report: Protecting Your Acquisition - Thu, Apr 2 - https://bit.ly/4rUHngL
Topics in Jack and Jake’s interview:
Childhood friends turned business partners
Leaving Goldman Sachs, KKR, and Baird for entrepreneurship
Why they chose the franchise roll-up model
Consolidating units within the Meineke system
Applying a first-principles approach to an unfamiliar industry
Paying royalties as the price of product-market fit
Technician recruiting advantages of a strong franchise brand
Why they passed on car washes and quick lube
The real timeline of the EV threat to auto repair
Buying real estate and using sale-leasebacks for growth capital
References and how to contact Jack and Jake:
Jack Foster’s LinkedIn
Jake McLaughlin’s LinkedIn
Meineke
Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):
Book a call with Tim or [email protected] and mention Acquiring Minds
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
From this page or contact [email protected]
Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:
Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team
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 and produced by Pam Cameron

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:
[email protected]
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 [email protected], 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected]
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