Caleb Standafer believed in manufacturing and wanted to spend his career there. A multi-year pivot and ETA got him in.

Topics in Caleb’s interview:

• Moving from tech to manufacturing
• Manufacturing is important for our country
• 7 years operating before searching
• The manufacturing concept of “going to Gemba”
• His 4-year part-time search
• Taking time weekly to develop his leaders
• Partnering with his dad
• Modernizing 1970s technology
• Managing 75% customer concentration
• Renegotiating payment terms with his largest customer

References and how to contact Caleb:

• LinkedIn
• Springfield Tool & Die

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

Get a complimentary IT audit for acquisition diligence or post-close transition.

• Visit inzotechnologies.com/eta.

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

Ned Tomasevic navigated an early crisis then grew EBITDA to $6m and exited at over 8x, four turns higher than he'd paid.

Register for the webinar:

• Transferable Skills: Crafting Your Resume for SBA Lenders - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4v3KOnf

Topics in Ned’s interview:

• Being the first American in his family
• Utilizing 20 interns for outreach
• Acquiring with help from a search fund
• Post-closing discovery led to lawsuit
• Stress shows up in your body first
• Getting guidance from his coach and mentors
• Reducing shrink from 20% to 3%
• Quadrupling EBITDA in 3 years
• Taking a year off after exiting
• His new role as investor, coach and mentor

References and how to contact Ned:

• LinkedIn
• Searchers Fund
• Jason Jackson on Acquiring Minds: How to Recover from a Fraudulent Seller

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

Dominick Smith left a lucrative track in PE to pursue a path that offered more meaning. Buying a business has delivered.

Register for the webinars:

• Overcoming Common Deal Sticking Points - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/3Qx1g0W
• Transferable Skills: Crafting Your Resume for SBA Lenders - Thu, Jun 25 - https://bit.ly/4uOEqQD

Topics in Dominick’s interview:

• Leaving a lucrative job in his late 20’s
• Dodging bullets with due diligence
• Renegotiating purchase price
• Managing white collar vs blue collar employees
• Wasting money on ineffective marketing
• Learning budgeting and frugality
• Advantages of staying in the weeds
• Aggressively pursuing new business
• Discovering and fixing poor website speeds
• His intent to sell the business

References and how to contact Dominick:

• LinkedIn
• Printmoz.com
• Heather Endresen at Viso Business Capital
• Brendan O’Brien at Huntington Bank
• Aizik Zimmerman on Acquiring Minds: Founder Mode for ETA: $6m to $25m in 3 Years

Get a complimentary IT audit for acquisition diligence or post-close transition.

• Visit inzotechnologies.com/eta.

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

• 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 and produced by Pam Cameron