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

Naveen Vinta spends weekdays at the business he bought in Milkwaukee, away from home in Virginia. He's making it work.

Register for the webinars:

• Add-Backs to Cash Flow for SBA Loans - Tue March 17th - https://bit.ly/4luTdgd
• How to Handle Common Employee Issues When Buying a Business - Thurs March 19th - https://bit.ly/4dnIwtD

Topics in Naveen’s interview:

• Army experience as a tank mechanic
• Funding his MBA with his G.I. Bill
• Capitalizing on “onshoring” tailwinds
• Getting brokers to take him seriously
• Searching for a business one plane hop away
• Acquiring an aerial work platform business
• Modifying lifts to make them “explosion proof”
• 9-12 month sales cycle
• Improving employee morale
• Being away from his family during the week

References and how to contact Naveen:

• LinkedIn
• Bailey Cranes

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

• Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team

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

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 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 nick@inzotechnologies.com, 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