What's Your Deal? | Buying Businesses, Business Acquisitions, Investing & Exit Strategies

In this episode, Matt sits down with Chris Peruch—a former W2 professional turned successful business owner. Chris and his wife juggled multiple entrepreneurial ventures while working full-time jobs before making the leap into full-time business ownership. Chris opens up about the pivotal moments that led them to buy a home remodeling business, how they secured financing, why they walked away from a car wash deal, and how they approached working together as a couple. This episode is packed with honest insights and actionable advice from someone who's done it. Timestamps: [0:15] – Chris's background: W2 job, side hustles, and real estate investing [1:30] – Leaving W2 position, shifting into entrepreneurship [2:25] – Real estate vs. business acquisition [4:35] – Why Chris passed on a car wash deal [7:30] – Buying back his salary through business acquisition [9:00] – The business Chris and Christy bought (flooring, cabinets, etc.) [14:35] – Keeping previous owner on staff [16:05] – Getting spouse buy-in and navigating finances together [18:45] – Why this business stood out: Stable, profitable, and well-managed [19:50] – Financing the deal: SBA + seller carry [20:40] – Managing a business over an hour away [24:00] – Introducing themselves to the team and managing the transition [30:00] – Lessons learned: SBA surprises and working capital [42:44] – Mentors, leadership, and the people who made a difference Resources & Links Want to be a guest on the show, or have a deal that you would like for us to evaluate? Apply here Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @AmpedSuccess LinkedIn: Amped Success Tiktok: @Ampedsuccess YouTube: @AmpedSuccess 📧 Contact Us: For inquiries, reach out at [email protected]

In this episode Matt sits down with longtime friend and former corporate retail manager Kevin Ray, who spent 28 years climbing the ladder in big-box retail—only to walk away and buy his freedom through small business ownership. Kevin shares his inspiring story of how he left behind 60-hour weeks, toxic leadership, and mounting anxiety to purchase two thriving businesses. You'll hear how Kevin transitioned from W-2 predictability to entrepreneurship, creating a lifestyle where he can finally prioritize family, flexibility, and fulfillment. This is a must-listen episode for anyone on the edge of leaving corporate life for the dream of owning a business. Timestamps [00:00] Welcome & Introduction [01:20] Kevin's start in corporate retail and rapid advancement [03:00] Why corporate promotions often required cross-state moves [07:45] Burnout, long hours, and the tipping point [10:10] Leaving corporate for good — and the family impact [17:10] Choosing small business over another corporate role [21:00] Buying Frannie's Cones & Coffee: what made it the right fit [23:37] Strategic tweaks that increased profits immediately [26:20] Lessons in analyzing what works (and what doesn't) [27:19] The best advice Kevin received in corporate America [29:08] Buying a second business: Treat Center [31:30] Turning around an old-school operation [39:05] From W-2 anxiety to entrepreneurial freedom [40:31] What's next: Expanding into wholesale popcorn [48:39] The people who made a difference in Kevin's journey Resources & Links Want to be a guest on the show, or have a deal that you would like for us to evaluate? Apply here Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @AmpedSuccess LinkedIn: Amped Success Tiktok: @Ampedsuccess YouTube: @AmpedSuccess 📧 Contact Us: For inquiries, reach out at [email protected]

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt sits down with Lindsay Denton, a seasoned transaction director, to break down the basics of successfully financing a business acquisition. Lindsay dives into the details of navigating SBA loans, choosing the right lender, and preparing your financial landscape to secure funding. She also shares real-life examples of unexpected financing roadblocks — and how to overcome them. Whether you're buying your first business or scaling your portfolio, this episode offers practical insights to ensure your deal gets to the finish line. Timestamps [00:00] Welcome & Introduction [01:02] Financing Real Estate vs. Businesses [02:10] Uncovering buyer "baggage" before lenders do [02:57] Choosing the right lender [04:44] The different types of SBA lenders [05:26] What makes one lender better than another [07:33] Why PLP lenders [12:30] Mistakes to avoid when preparing for financing [16:10] Why transparency with lenders is crucial [20:15] The difference between a Transaction Director and a Loan Broker [26:30] Real-life deal challenges [28:06] Lindsay's most challenging transaction [35:52] Who made a difference in Lindsay's career journey Resources & Links Want to be a guest on the show, or have a deal that you would like for us to evaluate? Apply here Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @AmpedSuccess LinkedIn: Amped Success Tiktok: @Ampedsuccess YouTube: @AmpedSuccess 📧 Contact Us: For inquiries, reach out at [email protected]

Episode Summary In this episode of "What's Your Deal?", Matt sits down with Luke McCarthy, a real estate investor turned business owner, to discuss his journey from flipping over 1,000 homes to acquiring local businesses. Luke shares valuable insights on transitioning from real estate to small business ownership, the power of recurring revenue, and the importance of community-driven business growth. Whether you're exploring your first acquisition or looking for practical insights on managing a growing portfolio, this episode is packed with actionable strategies and valuable lessons. Timestamps [00:00] Welcome & Introduction [02:06] Luke's background in real estate and fix-and-flip investing [10:10] Transitioning from real estate to small business ownership [12:35] Acquiring a dog hotel during the pandemic — and turning it around [14:26] Partnerships [15:55] Buying a landscaping business — key lessons learned [18:55] Managing old equipment and rolling stock in a newly acquired business [20:58] Rewarding employees with better vehicles — a strategic incentive [28:39] Why Luke focuses on family-owned businesses in his acquisitions [30:21] Balancing entrepreneurship and family life [33:30] The mentor who changed Luke's career trajectory Resources & Links Want to be a guest on the show, or have a deal that you would like for us to evaluate? Apply here Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @AmpedSuccess LinkedIn: Amped Success Tiktok: @Ampedsuccess YouTube: @AmpedSuccess 📧 Contact Us: For inquiries, reach out at [email protected]

Episode Summary In this episode, Matt sits down with former client and business owner Keith Sklarsky to explore his journey from corporate sales to successful business ownership. After leaving a demanding career in sales management, Keith found his path in business acquisition, purchasing multiple businesses and leaving Corporate America behind. Keith shares how he navigated the transition into entrepreneurship, including his experience with financing, the due diligence period, and finding "off the market" roll-up opportunities — all while successfully managing multiple businesses. He reveals key insights about building strong partnerships, empowering employees, and balancing business growth with family life. Whether you're exploring your first acquisition or looking to scale your portfolio, this episode is packed with practical insights and valuable lessons from someone who's done it — and done it well! Timestamps [00:00] Welcome & Introduction [02:06] Leaving corporate life for business ownership [04:01] Did you keep your corporate job as you transitioned into business ownership? [06:01] How did you find the first business you purchased, and did you use a broker? [10:33] What is an "add-back"? [14:05] Finding and buying an "off-market business" [14:54] Key considerations for buying a business [20:43] How to get a broker's attention [23:30] Picking the right business (avoiding purchasing a business out of town) [26:33] Purchasing your third business — what did you learn? What would you have done differently? [30:13] Having enough operating capital as you step into a newly acquired business [36:02] What's next for Keith? [37:00] At what point will you need to expand your management team to keep up with your growing portfolio? [39:07] Managing ownership and family/personal life [41:37] Who made a difference in your life and helped you become the business owner you are today? Resources & Links Want to be a guest on the show, or have a deal that you would like for us to evaluate? Apply here Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @AmpedSuccess LinkedIn: Amped Success Tiktok: @Ampedsuccess YouTube: @AmpedSuccess 📧 Contact Us: For inquiries, reach out at [email protected]

Episode Summary In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Host Matt Uhler sits down with his business partner, Sarah Rainwater, to discuss the vision behind the podcast and Amped Success — an education platform designed to help aspiring business buyers, investors, and entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of business acquisition, management, and exit strategies. In a fun twist, Sarah flips the script, putting Matt in the hot seat to explore his personal journey, professional credentials, and his mission to help others avoid costly mistakes in business ownership. Whether you're looking to buy a business, scale an existing one, or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable insights you won't want to miss! Timestamps [00:00] Welcome & Introduction [04:33] What is Amped Success? [06:41] What is the Amped Success Recipe Book? [09:50] Why is education key when it comes to starting your business acquisition journey? [12:23] What is the "What's Your Deal?" Podcast? [16:00] Who is Matt Uhler? Resources & Links Want to be a guest on the show, or have a deal that you would like for us to evaluate? Apply here Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @AmpedSuccess LinkedIn: Amped Success Tiktok: @Ampedsuccess YouTube: @AmpedSuccess 📧 Contact Us: For inquiries, reach out at [email protected]