Matt Drndak bought a parts business with a plan to grow it. It worked — he's doubled earnings. But it's taken patience.

Topics in Matt’s interview:

• Losing everything in the Great Recession
• His experience in franchises
• Buying an online store for construction equipment parts
• Leveraging service to stand out from competitors
• Determining the value of the inventory
• Serving customers with low computer literacy
• Non-mechanic buying a mechanical parts business
• Capturing the seller’s technical knowledge in YouTube videos
• Doubling revenue in 3 years
• Implementing EOS for future success

References and how to contact Matt:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• DHS Equipment

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

• Smithlist - Operate & Lead a Business

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

• Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HR

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

Summary from Webflow: The first business Colin King bought was tiny & unpleasant but also the crucial first step to buying more & better ones.

Topics in Colin’s interview:

• Finding his first business (and business partner) on Craigslist
• Delivering auto parts in the middle of the night
• Buying a turnaround silk florals business
• When his clothing business doubled in revenue overnight
• Day-to-day logistics of running diverse businesses
• Acquiring remote businesses: bookkeeping and e-learning
• Importance of working capital in seasonal businesses
• Pros and cons of having a diverse portfolio of companies
• Asking advice for the future of his holdco
• Finding and managing talent across diverse businesses

References and how to contact Colin:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• colin@circlecitycapitalgroup.com
• Circle City Capital Group

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

• Smithlist - Operate & Lead a Business

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

• Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

• Matthias Smith of 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

Cody Agee thought food testing would be a good recession-resistant business to buy. 2 weeks later, one listed for sale.

Topics in Cody interview:

• Bypassing business school
• Cashing out his 401(k) without using ROBS
• Buying a food safety and testing lab
• The moat of licensing requirements
• His advantage over much larger competitors
• Adjusting purchase price based on quality of earnings report
• Finding investors on Twitter
• Personally guaranteeing the seller note
• How he uses EBITDAR vs. EBITDA
• Putting in an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system

References and how to contact Cody:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter/X
• cody@splitmountaincapital.com
• Sierra Dairy Laboratory
• Dino Sawaya

Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

• Smithlist - Operate & Lead a Business

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

• Matthias Smith of Pioneer Capital Advisory

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