The SMB Deal Hunter Podcast

Join me as I interview Dustin Fusillo, an entrepreneur who acquired a turnaround mechanical company focused on ATM parts and services.Unfortunately, Dustin wasn’t able to turn around the business, but he did find a soft landing and is now running a larger operation under Grant Victor as General Manager for NextATM, which is an ATM machine, service, and solutions provider. Dustin shares with us his honest and resilient story of how he navigated through the challenges of buying and operating a turnaround business and what he could’ve done differently. _______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Find, Finance, and Acquire a Business in 6-12 Months: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview Justin Willess, a former mechanical engineer who acquired a construction business, Iron Pony, in 2022.Unfortunately, after growing the business dramatically from $12M to $18M in one year, Justin had to shut the business down in September of 2023.Justin was generous enough to share with us his honest story of what exactly went wrong (and what he could’ve done differently) so we can all learn from his mistakes._______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Find, Finance, and Acquire a Business in 6-12 Months: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview Chad Anselmo, a former FinTech executive who acquired Texas-based commercial plumbing business, MJ Mechanical.Within the first 6 months of taking over, Chad nearly DOUBLED the business.Previously, Chad spent 15 years in FinTech in CFO, CEO, and Founder roles and has several exits under his belt._______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Find, Finance, and Acquire a Business in 6-12 Months: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview Nick McLean, an independent sponsor who left the corporate world to acquire 8 businesses in 8 years through his company Four Pillars Investors.His current portfolio includes a steel fabrication business, a high-pressure aluminum die casting company, a sheet metal business, and a machining facility._______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Find, Finance, and Acquire a Business in 6-12 Months: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview Renan Cortez, an entrepreneur who acquired an $8M restoration business through 100% seller financing (!), and is now executing a roll-up in the space.Renan’s journey into entrepreneurship only began at 45 years old. At 20, he joined the Army as a combat medic, later transitioning into a successful 16-year career as a medical device sales rep before making the leap into business ownership._______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Find, Finance, and Acquire a Business in 6-12 Months: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview Jay Sunde, who began his entrepreneurial journey when he left his financial analyst role in Corporate America during his early 20s.In the decades since then, Jay has started, acquired, and sold businesses across industries including construction, pool and spa services, childcare, and fencing._______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Find, Finance, and Acquire a Business in 6-12 Months: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview Chase Murdock, a former VC-backed entrepreneur who now owns a holding company Decada Group.Through Decada Group, Chase has made 3 acquisitions and started 2 companies in Salt Lake City–all without taking any outside investor capital._______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Find, Finance, and Acquire a Business in 6-12 Months: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview Eric Pacifici, an SMB M&A lawyer and founder of SMB Law Group. Eric left his career working in Big Law to get into the small business acquisition space.In their first full year of operations, SMB Law Group did over $950M in deal volume, of which $500-$600M were SBA transactions._______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Find, Finance, and Acquire a Business in 6-12 Months: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview Sam Mahmood, a serial entrepreneur who is buying paving companies in the SW through his $15MM fund, The Pave.This isn’t Sam’s first foray into entrepreneurship. At 24, Sam founded a medical device company and later completed a bolt-on acquisition for it. He has also acquired a podcast agency, an M&A law firm, and a CPA firm, among other ventures._______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Find, Finance, and Acquire a Business in 6-12 Months: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview Nick Akers, an entrepreneur who acquired an IT Managed Service company through a traditional search fund. Nick acquired the business in May of 2023 and is on track to double revenue in 2024.Previously, Nick started a VC-backed company which he raised $30M for and exited. He also ran sales and business development for an engineering firm with 300 employees._______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Find, Finance, and Acquire a Business in 6-12 Months: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview George Tibil, an acquisition entrepreneur who bought a commercial cleaning business (and is on track to doubling it in the first year!). George was formerly a corporate employee working in risk management at M&T Bank. He decided to pursue business buying after trying both the startup and self-storage paths unsuccessfully._______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Buy a Business: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview Julien J, a real estate investor who acquired a digital products e-Commerce business selling MiDi packs.Julien is the owner of Rocket Powered Sound, a business that sells sample packs to aspiring music producers._______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Buy a Business: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview Johannes Hock, a former investment banker and private equity investor who is now acquiring and growing artificial turf businesses. Johannes made his first acquisition in 2022 and has since expanded organically and through add-on acquisitions. _______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Buy a Business: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview Kjael Skaalerud, a former operating partner for a private equity firm now buying and building a portfolio of SaaS businesses._______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Buy a Business: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview Chris Williams, a Stanford MBA who acquired an accounting firm, System Six, and doubled the business in just 3 years._______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Buy a Business: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview Alex Nelson, an entrepreneur based in Iowa who recently acquired 4 coffee shops.Alex is a serial entrepreneur who also runs a wedding venue and baby boutique._______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Buy a Business: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview Danny Thomas, a former industrial painting company sales manager who went on to start and buy an industrial painting company at the same time._______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Buy a Business: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview Chris West, a UK-based acquisition entrepreneur. Since leaving a corporate leadership role, Chris has acquired two businesses: a property business focused on Airbnb rentals and an outsourcing business._______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Buy a Business: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview Andrew Stern, a tech startup advisor who acquired a commercial window washing business.Fun fact: Andrew found his business through the SMB Deal Hunter newsletter!*Andrew let me know after the interview that he misspoke and the carve-out was for 15% of the deal, not 25%._______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Buy a Business: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview Brandon Williams, a former software engineer who acquired a window covering business.In the first year post-acquisition, Brandon almost doubled the company’s previous best year._______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Buy a Business: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview Jeremy Ames, the co-founder and CEO of Guidant Financial. Guidant Financial is the industry leader in ROBS 401K business financing. Guidant Financial has streamlined the process for using retirement funds to buy a business (without early withdrawal fees or tax penalties).Get the complete guide to the ROBS 401K program: https://click.guidantfinancial.com/dh_______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Buy a Business: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview Marc Nzojibwami, an acquisition entrepreneur who acquired a large format print & sign shop in Calgary after starting his career in sales.In the first year post-acquisition, Marc and his partners grew the business's EBITDA by 30%._______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Buy a Business: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview Phil Panopoulos, an acquisition entrepreneur who acquired Pisa Pizza, a local Chicago pizzeria, right after college when he was only 22 years old.Phil and his brother (who was 18 at the time) grew the business rapidly and flipped it in just 16 months._______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Buy a Business: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview Bill Haig, a former US Army infantry officer who transitioned into acquisition entrepreneurship.Bill acquired Starfit Studios, an independent gym in Northern Virginia. He is now in the process of opening up Starfit’s 4th location in the DC area._______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Buy a Business: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview Tato Corcoran, a real estate investor who diversified into business acquisitions.Tato previously worked in tech for 10 years and built up a portfolio of rental properties.She decided to acquire a small business for cashflow to replace her 9-5 income.Now, she owns a marble manufacturing business in Wisconsin._______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Buy a Business: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview Stephen Crandall, the owner of SC Audit and Accounting Solutions.Stephen went from working at PWC to acquiring 7 accounting firms in Arizona with offices in Prescott and Scottsdale._______________________________JOIN SMB DEAL HUNTER👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Buy a Business: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview Bruce Marks, a SBA lender from First Bank of the Lake. Bruce has closed over $400 million of deals in 9 years and specializes in serving SMBs and search funds with SBA loans from $2.5-$10.0 million._______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Buy a Business: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview Aaron Harper, an entrepreneur who acquired the franchise rights to local power-washing company Rolling Suds and turned it into one of the fastest-growing franchises nationwide._______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Buy a Business: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview Patrick Dichter, an entrepreneur who has acquired 3 accounting firms as a non-accountant.Patrick is the owner of Appletree Business Services, an accounting firm providing bookkeeping, tax, and payroll services nationwide._______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Buy a Business: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview Lord Leroy Young (aka Lee), a former fighter pilot who spent 10 years on Wall Street and then bought 6 businesses.Over a 10 year period, Lee acquired a variety of businesses ranging from a gas station to a golf driving range to a kayak store._______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Buy a Business: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview Taylor Wallace, an acquisition entrepreneur who is the owner of Paws n Rec doggy daycares in Tampa, Florida. Taylor also recently partnered up with Pet Resort Hospitality Group and is helping lead this PE-backed platform with 6 resort brands across 17 locations._______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Buy a Business: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview acquisition entrepreneur Kriss Berg aka “The Car Wash Guy,” an entrepreneur who has acquired multiple self-serve car wash locations.Kriss also runs an e-Commerce business selling health supplements that he started in 2012, and he’s investing profits from those businesses into buying additional car wash locations._______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Buy a Business: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview acquisition entrepreneur Ryder Fyrwald, the owner of Cover Label.Ryder left his career in real estate private equity (and prior to that, working at VC-backed tech startups) to pursue business acquisitions.He and his former college classmate partnered up to buy 2 label manufacturing businesses in 5 years._______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Buy a Business: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview acquisition entrepreneur Cody Agee.Cody left his career in investment banking to run a 13-month self-funded search process to buy a business.He’s now the proud owner of Sierra Dairy Laboratory, a California-based testing services provider that caters to the dairy industry._______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Buy a Business: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview successful entrepreneur Connor Pera.Connor left his career working in marketing for a large CPG company to buy a business.He’s now the proud owner of The Print Authority, a print shop in Nashville. _______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Buy a Business: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview Elyse Gonzales, VP of SBA Lending at Live Oak Bank.Live Oak Bank is the #1 SBA lender in the country based on SBA loan volume.

Join me as I interview successful acquisition entrepreneur Shawn Allard.Shawn was a former consultant and left his corporate 9-5 to get into business buying.He’s now the proud owner of a fast-growing ice cream company in Arizona, Novel Ice Cream._______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Buy a Business: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview successful acquisition entrepreneur Mike Okhravi.Mike was a former tech employee and left his W2 to get into business buying.He’s now the proud owner of a garage flooring business and a towing company. The crazy part? Even though Mike was a first-timer, he bought these two businesses within 35 days of each other. _______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Buy a Business: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz

Join me as I interview successful acquisition entrepreneur Nate Packer.Nate acquired a kitchen hood cleaning business for $928k in Jan '22 and sold the business for $2.07M in Dec '23. During this time, he grew EBITDA from ~$300k to $515k and revenue from $800k to $1.45M. _______________________________👉 Sign Up For Free to the SMB Deal Hunter Newsletter: https://join.smbdealhunter.xyz🤝 Work With Me to Help You Buy a Business: https://pro.smbdealhunter.xyz