In this episode of Training That Works, Rustin Schroeder talks with Kevin Salquist and Kurt Winter about what actually makes a business worth buying and why most sellers misunderstand it. While everyone else is chasing software, AI, and the next big tech wave, Kevin and Kurt explain why they focus on old-school industrial and manufacturing companies that have quietly survived every major economic shock of the last 25 years.

They break down how they evaluate acquisition targets through real-world filters like long-term resilience, communication with owners, margin structure, and whether a company truly has a moat or just looks good on paper. You’ll hear why 10 to 20 years of financial history matters more than flashy growth, how founders make mistakes without realizing it, and the subtle red flags that cause them to walk away from deals others would chase.

The conversation also dives deep into training and leadership after an acquisition. Kevin and Kurt explain why most corporate training fails, why mentorship beats modules, and how culture gets destroyed when leaders roll out programs they didn’t help build. From spotting the 5 percent of true creators inside a company to deciding when someone simply doesn’t belong, this episode gives business leaders a rare look at how serious operators think when real money and real people are on the line.

If you’re a founder preparing to sell, an investor looking to acquire, or a leader trying to build teams that actually perform, this episode will change how you think about what’s really worth buying… and what isn’t.

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