Greg Hirsch wants more seasoned professionals to understand how valuable their experience can be to an ETA journey.

Topics in Greg’s interview:

• Fifteen years learning systems at Sysco Foods
• Failed startup revealed builder, not founder path
• Helped scale trucking roll-up through industry consolidation
• Revisiting his “heck no” pile
• Invests in timeless blue-collar essential industries
• Late-40s searches benefit from life experience
• Spouse alignment essential before risking family security
• His wife’s perspective on the process
• Growth comes from removing operational friction
• His wife’s perspective on the process

References and how to contact Greg:

• LinkedIn
• Hirsch Ventures

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

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

• From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.com

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 and produced by Pam Cameron

Thanks to strong business-buyer fit, Joe Wynn negotiated great terms to acquire a $600k SDE sales & service business.

Register for the webinar:

• Real Estate Issues When Buying a Business - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4smYdoQ

Topics in Joseph’s interview:

• Trading a mid–six-figure salary for business ownership
• Wanting to “build his own ladder” instead of climbing someone else’s
• Buying a medical equipment distribution and service company
• Designing and outfitting hospital operating rooms
• 45% net margins on $2M in revenue
• Raising service prices 20–50% in his first six weeks
• Navigating “lumpy” project-based revenue cycles
• Structuring a $1.35M deal with seller financing
• Putting only $120K down with no personal guarantee
• A post-closing banking freeze that forced him to cover payroll

References and how to contact Joseph:

• LinkedIn
• Surgical Specialties of Georgia
• Iris Levine on Acquiring Minds: $6m Business, 3 Minutes From Childhood Home
• Brian Hartman on Acquiring Minds: The Path from $2.5m to $60m in a Tree Business

The ecosystem for serious acquisition entrepreneurs—education, capital, community, and post-close support to buy and grow a business:

• The Acquisition Lab

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

• Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

• From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.com

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

Constrained in her job and seeking more time for her kids, Ana Lia Barragan bought a $385k/yr, 30-year-old business.

Register for the webinars:

• Your First Finance Hires After Buying a Business - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/3OvsNic
• Real Estate Issues When Buying a Business - Thu, Apr 16 - https://bit.ly/3PYIhf8

Topics in Ana Lia’s interview:

• Wanted flexibility while raising two young children
• Hit promotion ceiling in corporate tech ladder
• Joined Beta Accelerator, buying businesses training program
• Treat LOIs like conversations, not commitments
• DIY diligence first to avoid costly mistakes
• SBA rule changes complicated future acquisition financing
• Recurring revenue lower than seller originally claimed
• Lost major client after leadership cost-cutting shift
• Built custom AI app for operations tracking
• Bought a job first, business later

References and how to contact Ana Lia:

• LinkedIn
• Kelly Green
• Ana Lia’s LinkedIn post on how the new SBA rules affect her
• Ana Lia’s LinkedIn post on the pre- and post-closing gap in understanding her business
• Gabe Perez on Acquiring Minds: One Couple, 4 Kids, and a Business 3 Hours Away
• Darryl Lindie on Acquiring Minds: Hard but Fun: Transitioning a 77-Year-Old Business
• Nick Haschka on Acquiring Minds: How One Small Acquisition Led to 9 More in 5 Years

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

• Pioneer Capital Advisory

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 hello@systemsix.com 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