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

After Megan McGee pivoted her search fund to a self-funded approach, she bought a business where she wanted to settle.

Register for the webinars:

• From Owner to Owner: Business Transition Lessons - Thu March 12 - https://bit.ly/4ctCJCw

Topics in Megan’s interview:

• Family background in pest control
• Internship with previous guest Edward McDonnell
• Starting out in traditional search
• Investors declined to support a deal she loved
• Pivoting to self-funded search
• Deciding not to buy her dad’s business
• Buying Virginia Guesthouses without an SBA loan
• Buying from a young seller
• Managing 75 properties
• Her profitable first year

References and how to contact Megan:

• LinkedIn
• Tato Corcoran’s recap episode: How to 4x a Small Manufacturer
• Edward McDonnell on Acquiring Minds: Taking a Single-City Acquisition Nationwide
• Matt Orley on Acquiring Minds: Buying for Brand (Then Growing 4x)
• Guesthouses

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
Produced by Pam Cameron

Jonathan Taylor has quickly grown revenue 40% at his acquisition through digitization, process improvement, and sales.

Topics in Jonathan’s interview:

• Searching while working full-time
• His “now or never” moment approaching 40
• Restricting his search to Los Angeles
• Over-equitizing the deal
• Structuring a forgivable seller note
• Accepting 60% ownership
• Finding long-term hold investors
• Buying from a non-retiring seller
• Christian stewardship principles
• Growing revenue 40%

References and how to contact Jonathan:

• LinkedIn
• AEK Technology
• Phil Koller on Acquiring Minds: Comfortable Concentration for a $800k SDE Business
• Shaun Stimpson on Acquiring Minds: Started Mid-Career, Grew to $38m in 3 Years

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

• The Acquisition Lab

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

• Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

• Smithlist - Operate & Lead a Business

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