Acquisitions Academy host Mike Abramowitz talks with Anthony Simonie, founder of Sherwood Marketing / Found Money Partnerships and co-founder of Pro Land Fund, about uncovering “found money” already sitting inside businesses, especially through underused email lists, LinkedIn connections, and existing warm relationships. Anthony explains why most entrepreneurs rush to cold ads instead of working their warm network, how to personalize outreach so it feels human in an AI-driven world, and why consistent, thoughtful follow-up beats one-and-done messages. They dig into using LinkedIn as a true relationship platform, the power of partnering with trusted advisors like CPAs to access off-market deals, and why building a strong network is the closest thing to a shortcut in M&A and capital raising. Anthony then breaks down why he created the Pro Land Fund as a simple, lower-risk, land-backed real estate cash flow play for accredited investors, how it fits into a broader wealth strategy, and the safeguards built into the fund. He closes by sharing his perspective on legacy, faith, parenting his two adopted kids, and why taking action now, not waiting for the perfect time, is the real key to building both wealth and impact.

Quotes:

1. "If you don't have the relationship, you have nothing."

2. "People are thinking about the end game way too early instead of how to just start the conversation the right way."

3. "You can do very, very well in business by treating people the right way."

Key Takeaways:

• Your existing network is a gold mine - email lists, LinkedIn connections, and phone contacts often hold more profit potential than new cold ad campaigns.

• Relationships beat automation - personalized, human outreach and genuine interest in others create far more deal flow than templated AI-driven pitches.

Episode Timeline

00:00 Welcome, guest intro, and Anthony’s “found money” philosophy

02:31 Why most businesses sit on a profit “gold mine”

04:56 Ads vs. warm outreach and the real ROI question

08:02 How to start authentic, human conversations in a noisy AI world

11:57 Getting and keeping attention: follow-up, humor, and long game relationships

18:22 Playing the relationship game, not the transactional game

19:16 Why LinkedIn is a relationship engine for M&A and deal flow

22:48 Partnering with CPAs and other trusted advisors for off-market deals

24:32 Why Anthony launched Pro Land Fund and how the model works

30:14 Portfolio fit, risk reduction, and cash flow from land

31:31 Time, action, and using the “Five Second Rule” to move now

34:25 Legacy, faith, family, and doing well by doing right

Conclusion

Building wealth through acquisitions, capital raising, and real estate ultimately comes down to one core principle Anthony Simonie reinforced throughout this conversation: relationships first, tactics second. By treating your email list, LinkedIn connections, and personal network as a true gold mine, and backing that up with consistent, authentic follow-up, you create a steady pipeline of warm opportunities and off-market deals. Layering in simple, de-risked vehicles like the Pro Land Fund allows you to turn that business cash flow into long-term, land-backed income, while never losing sight of what really matters: legacy, integrity, and the example you set for the people watching you, from your partners and investors to your kids and future generations.

If you’re serious about pulling more profit, deal flow, and long-term wealth out of the relationships you already have, let’s talk and map out a straightforward, relationship-driven plan that fits your goals.

Learn more and book a conversation with Anthony: link.cbrcapitalgroup.com (Acquisitions Academy booking widget)

Email: Asimonie33@gmail.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/anthonysimonie

What if your podcast could become a consistent networking, content, and revenue engine—without you having to manage the endless production work behind it?

In this episode of Acquisitions Academy, host Mike Abramowitz interviews Robert Plank, founder of DFYPodcast.com, about how done-for-you podcast production can turn conversations into nearly seven figures of revenue through relationships, referrals, and strategic networking.

Robert explains why podcasting can outperform traditional, hit-or-miss networking events. Instead of hoping to meet the right person at the right event, podcasting creates a deliberate and consistent networking habit that allows entrepreneurs to build relationships with potential clients, partners, referral sources, and industry leaders.

The conversation also explores how one podcast recording can become an entire omnichannel content engine. A single conversation can generate full episodes for Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, along with short-form clips, reels, graphics, social posts, SEO show notes, and other content that keeps your brand consistently visible.

But producing all of that content yourself can quickly become another full-time job. Robert explains how DFY Podcast handles production and distribution, including editing, SEO show notes, reels, graphics, scheduling, and publishing, so entrepreneurs can focus on conversations and revenue-generating activities instead of getting buried in technical tasks.

Robert also shares his journey from information products and software into podcast production, his simple flat-rate monthly pricing model, and how his team integrates into clients' workflows using Slack, shared drives, Zoom, Riverside, and tracking systems.

One of the most powerful strategies discussed is what happens after the interview. Past podcast guests can become long-term referral partners, clients, strategic relationships, and an “army of affiliates.” By consistently resurfacing episodes, clips, and repurposed content, entrepreneurs can stay top of mind long after the original conversation ends.

You'll discover:
• Why podcasting can be a powerful networking strategy
• How deliberate networking beats hit-or-miss networking events
• How one conversation can become weeks of content
• Why consistent publishing keeps entrepreneurs top-of-mind
• How to repurpose podcasts across YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and social media

Featured Guest: Robert Plank

Robert Plank is the founder of DFYPodcast.com and has produced more than 1,600 podcast episodes. His team helps entrepreneurs turn podcast conversations into professionally produced, distributed, and repurposed content while using podcasting as a relationship-building and business development strategy.

Quotes from Robert:

“It's a great habit to have, right? Deliberate, consistent networking versus maybe what falls on your lap.”

“Podcasting solves a lot of these problems, but then if you try to handle a lot of this yourself, well, that's a whole other commitment.”

“The kind of universal plugin point for us is Slack... Instead of email and threads getting lost, we meet in Slack.”

Episode Timeline:

00:00 Welcome & Introduction to Robert Plank
02:20 Why Podcasting Beats Traditional Networking
07:08 Robert's Journey Into Done-For-You Podcasting
10:50 Podcasting as a Traffic & Content Engine
11:47 How DFY Podcast Works
14:21 Pricing, Packages & Production Workflow
16:02 Building Relationships With Podcast Guests
17:59 Wrap-Up & How to Get Started

Connect With Robert Plank:

🌐 Website: dfypodcast.com
💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robertcplank
📱 Instagram: instagram.com/robertplank/

#Podcasting #PodcastMarketing #BusinessNetworking #ContentMarketing #LeadGeneration #BusinessGrowth #PodcastProduction #PodcastRepurposing #Entrepreneurship #AcquisitionsAcademy #RobertPlank #MikeAbramowitz #DFYPodcast

Your biggest growth constraint might not be sales, marketing, or capital—it might be talent.

In this episode of Acquisitions Academy, host Mike Abramowitz sits down with Warren Lentz, Founder and CEO of Yellowstone Local, to explain how blue-collar and home service businesses can use strategic recruiting to accelerate growth, increase business value, and prepare for an exit within 18–24 months.

Warren explains why recruiting needs to be treated as a core business function, not a one-time job posting on Indeed. For HVAC, plumbing, electrical, construction, roofing, and other skilled trades companies, consistently attracting and retaining A-players can determine how quickly a company grows—and ultimately how attractive it becomes to buyers.

Yellowstone Local takes a multi-channel approach to talent acquisition, combining 50+ job boards, programmatic advertising, LinkedIn, Apollo, outbound calling, texting, and email campaigns to build a continuous pipeline of candidates. Warren explains why the best employees are often not actively searching for jobs and how proactive outreach can uncover talent before competitors do.

Mike and Warren also discuss the hidden cost of reactive hiring. Vacancies, rushed decisions, bad hires, turnover, and weak performers can create enormous replacement and opportunity costs while damaging company culture. Warren argues that owners need to establish a clear employer value proposition, define their ideal candidate, and build recruiting systems before they urgently need someone.

The conversation goes beyond recruiting into leadership, culture, A-player density, and business acquisitions. Warren explains why leaders must stop tolerating C-players if they want to retain their best people and why recruiting systems can become an important asset during acquisitions and roll-ups.

Yellowstone Local also helps connect smaller home service companies with off-market acquisition opportunities, creating another layer of value for owners looking to buy, sell, or consolidate businesses.

You'll discover:
• Why talent is often the #1 growth constraint in home services
• Why recruiting should operate like sales and marketing
• How to build a predictable A-player talent pipeline

Featured Guest: Warren Lentz

Warren Lentz is the Founder and CEO of Yellowstone Local, helping home service and skilled trades businesses—including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, and construction companies—build stronger recruiting systems and attract top talent.

Quotes from Warren:

“Your biggest growth constraint is always your talent.”

“Recruiting isn’t a silver bullet; it's an all-the-time function.”

“Great companies are built on great people, period.”

Episode Timeline:

00:00 Welcome & Introduction to Warren Lentz
01:39 Recruiting as a Growth & Exit Strategy
02:38 Defining Ideal Candidates Beyond Indeed
06:14 Multi-Channel Recruiting & Outbound Outreach
10:07 The True Cost of Bad & Reactive Hiring
13:10 A-Player Density, Culture & Bad Hires
14:00 Leadership & Managing C-Players
16:48 Recruiting Systems in Acquisitions & Roll-Ups
18:19 Off-Market Acquisition Opportunities
20:47 DIY Recruiting & Building a Talent Culture
22:26 Why People Are a Company's Greatest Asset
23:16 How to Connect With Warren
24:39 Faith, Family & Business Values
25:38 Closing Remarks

Connect with Warren Lentz:

📧 Email: warren@yellowstonelocal.com
🌐 Website: yellowstonelocal.com
💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/warren-sales

#Recruiting #HomeServices #SkilledTrades #BusinessAcquisitions #HVAC #Plumbing #Electrical #Roofing #BusinessGrowth #MergersAndAcquisitions #ExitPlanning #AcquisitionsAcademy #WarrenLentz #MikeAbramowitz #YellowstoneLocal