Acquiring Minds Podcast By Will Smith cover art

Acquiring Minds

Acquiring Minds

By: Will Smith
Listen for free

Buying a business is an amazing path for many successful entrepreneurs. Learn how to buy a business from the entrepreneurs who have already done it. 2x per week: stories, insights, & valuable advice about acquisition entrepreneurship. Hosted by Will Smith, who is on his own path to acquire a business. Also on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AcquiringMinds Sign up for episode summaries at: https://acquiringminds.co2021 - 2023, Acquiring Minds Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Personal Finance
Episodes
  • Turning $25k into a $3.2m Exit in Under 4 Years

    Turning $25k into a $3.2m Exit in Under 4 Years
    Mar 26 2026

    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
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 27 mins
  • 40% Growth in Year 1 of a Paving Business

    40% Growth in Year 1 of a Paving Business
    Mar 23 2026

    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
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 33 mins
  • Leaving Wall Street to Buy a $1m Manufacturing Business

    Leaving Wall Street to Buy a $1m Manufacturing Business
    Mar 19 2026

    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
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 31 mins
All stars
Most relevant
Will is out here doing god's work. He's skillfully teaching first time searchers everything from books to read, pitfalls to avoid, tactics to emulate, the whole package. I went to the top business school in the country. But Will and his team are giving anyone who will listen more value, connections, and practical knowledge for free. Take advantage of this ASAP.

Essential Listening for First Time Business Acquirers

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We love Will Smith and the insights his podcast gives to us that is applicable for the whole deal process. He will even bring on guests on years later for them to recap on the transition process and everything in between.

Thanks for everything, Will!

The BEST Searchfund Advice!

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I’ve read Buy then Build, and HBR’s Guide to buying a Small Business. Both are great books on the nuts and bolts of ETA, but Will Smith’s podcast is then best way to learn from the experiences of over 100 acquisition entrepreneurs.

Great content, binge worthy, and always easy to listen to at >1.5x speed!

The best way to learn about search and acquiring small businesses

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