Acquiring Minds

After building a masonry business over 5+ years, Justin Escajeda bought his first company in 2018 and never looked back.
Register for the webinars: 
 From Owner to Owner: Business Transition Lessons - TODAY - https://bit.ly/46K82p5
Topics in Justin’s interview:
His early career as a stone mason
Growing his side jobs into a company
Liquidating his real estate investments
Focusing on masonry niches
Acquiring his first business for a 1.3 multiple
Recruiting managers based on work ethic
His flat compensation and guaranteed bonus structure
How he prevents fraud and mismanagement
Keeping company names the same after buying
The personal cost of overseeing 11 companies
References and how to contact Justin:
LinkedIn
Escajeda Holdings
Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:
Email Nick Akers at [email protected], and tell him you’re a searcher
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
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
Produced by Pam Cameron

After Megan McGee pivoted her search fund to a self-funded approach, she bought a business where she wanted to settle.
Register for the webinars: 
 From Owner to Owner: Business Transition Lessons - Thu March 12 - https://bit.ly/4ctCJCw
Topics in Megan’s interview:
Family background in pest control
Internship with previous guest Edward McDonnell
Starting out in traditional search
Investors declined to support a deal she loved
Pivoting to self-funded search
Deciding not to buy her dad’s business
Buying Virginia Guesthouses without an SBA loan
Buying from a young seller
Managing 75 properties
Her profitable first year
References and how to contact Megan:
LinkedIn
Tato Corcoran’s recap episode: How to 4x a Small Manufacturer
Edward McDonnell on Acquiring Minds: Taking a Single-City Acquisition Nationwide
Matt Orley on Acquiring Minds: Buying for Brand (Then Growing 4x)
Guesthouses
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
Produced by Pam Cameron

Jonathan Taylor has quickly grown revenue 40% at his acquisition through digitization, process improvement, and sales.
Topics in Jonathan’s interview:
Searching while working full-time
His “now or never” moment approaching 40
Restricting his search to Los Angeles
Over-equitizing the deal
Structuring a forgivable seller note
Accepting 60% ownership
Finding long-term hold investors
Buying from a non-retiring seller
Christian stewardship principles
Growing revenue 40%
References and how to contact Jonathan:
LinkedIn
AEK Technology
Phil Koller on Acquiring Minds: Comfortable Concentration for a $800k SDE Business
Shaun Stimpson on Acquiring Minds: Started Mid-Career, Grew to $38m in 3 Years
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
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

After his first ownership experience ended badly, Joe Springsteen bought a $3.2m maintenance business that is thriving.
Topics in Joe’s interview:
Background in law and operations
Divorce as a catalyst for change
Acquiring a biohazard cleanup business
Doing cleanup himself
His original growth thesis failed
Selling the cleanup business
His “Codie Sanchez phase”
Prioritizing geography in his search
Acquiring an exterior cleaning business
Building competitive advantage
References and how to contact Joe:
LinkedIn
[email protected]
Mallard Systems
Sam Rosati on Acquiring Minds: Shortening Your Search: Big 3 Little 2
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
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

Edward McDonnell bought a local services business via traditional search fund and grew it to 8 branches across 5 states.
Register for the webinar: 
SMB Cybersecurity: Why Operators Need a Risk Assessment - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4u2GO7d
Topics in Edward’s interview:
Mechanical engineering at Honda
Choosing traditional search for budget
Acquiring an indoor plant/landscaping business
Going in with no management experience
Digitizing the back office
Constantly repeating the company vision
Using EOS for efficient meetings
Growing to 8 branches in 5 states
Exiting and staying on as CEO
Searching for his next business in Virginia
References and how to contact Edward:
LinkedIn
Botanical Designs
[email protected]
Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:
Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team
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
Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:
Email Nick Akers at [email protected], and tell him you’re a searcher
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