In this episode, Tim talks with Paul, a Canadian real estate investor and federal law enforcement officer who's exploring his first business acquisition. Paul shares how he and his wife successfully invested in U.S. real estate despite being told it was "impossible," why business ownership feels like the next natural step, and the unique challenges of navigating licensing, brokers, and cross-border deals.

From private investigation firms to roofing businesses, Paul unpacks his search process, the importance of seller trust, and why respect for people's time and relationships matters as much as the numbers.

Tim is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should explore the opportunities that business and real estate can provide on the path to financial freedom. He owns and operates a wine & liquor store, a software startup, a consulting company, and a growing portfolio of commercial and residential real estate.

Tim's passion for independent business has led him to support dozens of other business owners. For over a decade, he has worked with businesses on strategy, processes, finances, and marketing. These experiences, along with analyzing dozens of other businesses for potential acquisition, have provided Tim with an immense knowledge base to pull from.

Tim has appeared on multiple top-tier podcasts in the financial space, such as Bigger Pockets Money and The Freedom Chasers Podcast.

[00:00 – 12:00] Paul's Background & Real Estate Success

Growing up in Manitoba and building a law enforcement career.
How he and his wife invested in U.S. real estate after Canadian markets failed to cash flow.
Overcoming barriers as a Canadian investor and scaling into multiple rentals.

[12:01 – 22:30] Discovering Business Buying

How Cody Sanchez's content sparked his interest.
Why business ownership feels like real estate "with more levers."
The appeal of private investigation firms as a natural fit for his skillset.

[22:31 – 37:00] Deals, Brokers & Seller Relationships

Navigating a California business opportunity despite licensing challenges.
Why brokers often dismiss newcomers — and how sellers can see things differently.
Respecting sellers' emotional ties: "You're buying someone's baby."

[37:01 – 52:00] Partnerships & Financing

How Paul found a like-minded partner in the Contrarian community.
Creative terms, seller financing, and long-term planning.
Why treating brokers fairly pays off for future deals.

[52:01 – End] Lessons Learned

Respecting people's time and relationships.
The importance of aligning your skills with the business you buy.
"Give without expectation of return" — Paul's philosophy for success.

Guest Bio
Paul is a Canadian real estate investor and federal law enforcement officer exploring his first U.S. business acquisition. With a strong track record in cross-border real estate, Paul is now leveraging his skills, perseverance, and law enforcement background to enter the world of small business ownership.

Connect with Tim and the community on social media for more tips and updates:

Website: https://www.powerofbiz.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@powerofbiz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timtdelaney/

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@timtdelaney

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothytdelaney/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timtdelaney

"Price is what you pay. Value is what you get." – Paul
"You're buying someone's baby — it's emotional, not just numbers." – Paul
"Give without expectation of return. Just do things for people." – Paul
"If the business is worth it, then you can pay it." – Paul

We'll walk through the real-world process of analyzing a laundromat deal, covering purchase price, cash flow, debt service, seller financing, and how to calculate a realistic return on investment. This solo episode dives into how small adjustments in structure can completely change your cash-on-cash return.

Tim is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should explore the opportunities that business and real estate can provide on the path to financial freedom. He owns and operates a wine & liquor store, a software startup, a consulting company, and a growing portfolio of commercial and residential real estate.

Tim's passion for independent business has led him to support dozens of other business owners. For over a decade, he has worked with businesses on strategy, processes, finances, and marketing. These experiences, along with analyzing dozens of other businesses for potential acquisition, have provided Tim with an immense knowledge base to pull from.

Tim has appeared on multiple top-tier podcasts in the financial space, such as Bigger Pockets Money and The Freedom Chasers Podcast.

Tim breaks down the typical cost structure and how to read between the lines of financials.
Explains how add-backs, utilities, and discretionary spending affect the valuation.
Outlines what makes a deal "too good to be true" and what to double-check before buying.

Walks through an example using SBA financing and 9% interest rates.
Calculates how $200K–$300K purchases translate into annual debt payments and real returns.
Discusses the importance of stress-testing cash flow assumptions before you buy.

Shows how seller-financed deals change ROI compared to traditional bank loans.
Explains 10-year, 4% seller notes and how they impact monthly payments and liquidity.
Covers ways to negotiate favorable seller terms to bridge valuation gaps.

Tim compares multiple deal structures and shows which produce better short-term returns.
Highlights how lowering your upfront investment can actually increase ROI.
Shares why chasing top-line profit often matters less than managing realistic cash flow.

Outlines how one good deal can become a launchpad for more acquisitions.
Talks about scaling operations, finding additional locations, and building efficiencies.
Encourages listeners to start small, learn fast, and build toward a sustainable business portfolio.

If you found value in today's show, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode packed with insights to help you buy and grow a business that creates real financial freedom.

Connect with Tim and the community on social media for more tips and updates:

Website: https://www.powerofbiz.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@powerofbiz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timtdelaney/

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@timtdelaney

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothytdelaney/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timtdelaney

"I like to plan for a little bit of reduction in that first year just to be on the safe side." – Tim Delaney

"Seller financing can bridge the gap between what the seller wants and what actually makes financial sense." – Tim Delaney

"Cash-on-cash return is the number that tells you how hard your money is actually working." – Tim Delaney

In this episode, Tim talks with Tim Kolb, an entrepreneur who knows what it's like to build a business from the ground up—only to realize the cost of chasing growth without balance. Tim Kolb shares the unfiltered story of how he and his wife grew their first business with no formal training, the emotional toll of burnout, and the decision to sell when life demanded a new chapter. He also dives into how that experience reshaped his approach to entrepreneurship and what he's doing differently in his next ventures.

Tim is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should explore the opportunities that business and real estate can provide on the path to financial freedom. He owns and operates a wine & liquor store, a software startup, a consulting company, and a growing portfolio of commercial and residential real estate.

Tim's passion for independent business has led him to support dozens of other business owners. For over a decade, he has worked with businesses on strategy, processes, finances, and marketing. These experiences, along with analyzing dozens of other businesses for potential acquisition, have provided Tim with an immense knowledge base to pull from.

Tim has appeared on multiple top‑tier podcasts in the financial space, such as Bigger Pockets Money and The Freedom Chasers Podcast.

How Tim and his wife dove into business ownership with no formal training.
The steep learning curve of building a business from the ground up.
Early challenges that shaped their entrepreneurial mindset.

Why burnout became inevitable in their first venture.
Recognizing when the business was no longer sustainable.
How personal life (COVID, new parenthood) accelerated the decision to sell.

Lessons from the sale of their first business.
How selling became the catalyst for the next phase of life.
The emotional and practical realities of walking away.

[57:17 – End] Rethinking Entrepreneurship

How the experience reshaped Tim's approach to business ownership.
Creating ventures with sustainability and balance in mind.
Tim's advice for entrepreneurs feeling stuck or burned out.

Guest Bio
Tim Kolb is an entrepreneur who built his first business from scratch alongside his wife, navigating the highs of growth and the lows of burnout. After selling that business, Tim has refocused his entrepreneurial journey on sustainable ventures and meaningful work.

If you found value in today's show, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode packed with insights to help you buy and grow a business that creates real financial freedom.

Connect with Tim Kolb:
Instagram: tim.kolb.09
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timothy-kolb/

Connect with Tim and the community on social media for more tips and updates:

Website: https://www.powerofbiz.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@powerofbiz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timtdelaney/

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@timtdelaney

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothytdelaney/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timtdelaney

"Sometimes quitting isn't failure — it's making space for what's next." – Tim Kolb
"Building a business from scratch taught me more than any classroom ever could." – Tim Kolb
"If growth costs you everything else, it's time to rethink the plan." – Tim Kolb
"Selling our business wasn't the end — it was the beginning of a new chapter." – Tim Kolb

In this solo episode, Tim Delaney breaks down the five red flags you need to watch for when evaluating small businesses for sale. From mysterious add-backs to shaky contractor structures, Tim explains how to separate real opportunity from risky deals—and how to spot warning signs before you're locked in.

Tim is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should explore the opportunities that business and real estate can provide on the path to financial freedom. He owns and operates a wine & liquor store, a software startup, a consulting company, and a growing portfolio of commercial and residential real estate.

Tim's passion for independent business has led him to support dozens of other business owners. For over a decade, he has worked with businesses on strategy, processes, finances, and marketing. These experiences, along with analyzing dozens of other businesses for potential acquisition, have provided Tim with an immense knowledge base to pull from.

Tim has appeared on multiple top-tier podcasts in the financial space, such as Bigger Pockets Money and The Freedom Chasers Podcast.

Tim sets the stage and explains why spotting red flags early is critical when buying a business.

Why seller add-backs can sometimes be justified—but often hide inflated earnings.

How unclear or unstable leases can sink a location-dependent business.

The danger when a seller can't clearly explain their financials.

Why the promise of "potential" should make you stop and think twice.

The risks of a workforce made entirely of 1099 contractors.

Tim's closing advice on focusing on real cash flow, not empty promises when buying a business.

If you found value in today's show, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode packed with insights to help you buy and grow a business that creates real financial freedom.

Connect with Tim and the community on social media for more tips and updates:

Website: https://www.powerofbiz.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@powerofbiz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timtdelaney/
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@timtdelaney
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothytdelaney/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timtdelaney

"Mysterious add-backs are one of the biggest warning signs in a business listing." – Tim Delaney
"If the seller can't explain their own numbers, that's your red flag right there." – Tim Delaney
"There's no such thing as 'potential' you don't have to work for." – Tim Delaney
"Cash flow clarity beats growth promises every single time." – Tim Delaney

In this episode, Tim talks with Brad Cornell, a seasoned entrepreneur and business buyer who brings a no‑nonsense perspective to acquiring and running small businesses. Brad doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges of business ownership—he dives into what it really takes to go from dreaming about buying a business to successfully running one. He shares how his journey reshaped his understanding of financial freedom, why courage and resilience are non‑negotiable, and the mindset shifts that separate successful buyers from those who burn out.

Tim is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should explore the opportunities that business and real estate can provide on the path to financial freedom. He owns and operates a wine & liquor store, a software startup, a consulting company, and a growing portfolio of commercial and residential real estate.

Tim’s passion for independent business has led him to support dozens of other business owners. For over a decade, he has worked with businesses on strategy, processes, finances, and marketing. These experiences, along with analyzing dozens of other businesses for potential acquisition, have provided Tim with an immense knowledge base to pull from.

Tim has appeared on multiple top‑tier podcasts in the financial space, such as Bigger Pockets Money and The Freedom Chasers Podcast.

Why buying a business takes “balls of steel.”
Debunking the myth of the “easy buy.”
The emotional and mental prep needed before an acquisition.

What financial freedom really costs (and why it’s worth it).
Brad’s personal stories of sacrifice and course‑correction.
Setting realistic expectations for your first acquisition.

The difference between running a job and running a business.
Why hands‑off ownership in year one is a dangerous myth.
Lessons from Brad’s biggest pivots as an owner.

How to develop a sustainable, growth‑oriented mindset.
Staying engaged without burning out.
Redefining what success looks like beyond revenue.

Brad’s no‑filter advice for anyone considering a buy.
Building resilience when the unexpected happens.
The key relationships that make acquisitions succeed.

Guest Bio
Brad Cornell is an entrepreneur and small business owner who has bought and operated multiple companies. With an unfiltered approach to entrepreneurship, Brad shares hard‑earned insights on courage, resilience, and the true cost of financial freedom.

If you found value in today’s show, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode packed with insights to help you buy and grow a business that creates real financial freedom.

Connect with Tim and the community on social media for more tips and updates:

Website: https://www.powerofbiz.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@powerofbiz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timtdelaney/

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@timtdelaney

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothytdelaney/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timtdelaney

"Financial freedom doesn’t come without a cost." – Brad Cornell
"If anybody tells you buying a business is hands‑off, question them heavily." – Tim Delaney
"Business ownership isn’t autopilot; it’s engagement, every single day." – Brad Cornell