Business Buying Strategies From The Dealmaker's Academy

In this episode of the Business Buying Strategies podcast, Jonathan introduces Peter, an electrical engineer turned business owner who successfully transitioned from employment to owning four businesses with a combined annual revenue of £6 million.   Peter shares his inspirational journey, starting with his first acquisition in partnership with Jonathan, a college friend and business partner. Despite starting with no business experience, Peter and Jonathan navigated through challenging negotiations, leveraged mastermind programs, and strategically acquired businesses, ultimately achieving significant growth. The episode delves into their experience with corporate finance, their negotiation strategies, and their plans for future consolidation and growth.   Peter's story is a testament to the potential of acquiring businesses and the transformative power of support and mentorship.   Key moments   00:59 Meet Peter: From Employee to Business Owner 02:20 Peter's Entrepreneurial Journey Begins 03:25 First Acquisit

In this week's episode of the Business Buying Strategies podcast, Jonathan continues his discussion with Dean, one of his remarkable mastermind clients. They look at the details of Dean's business acquisitions to date, exploring the deal structure, negotiation tactics, and the challenges faced post-purchase. Dean shares candid stories about transforming a tough acquisition into a thriving business, highlighting the importance of good mentorship, team dynamics, and strategic planning. Additionally, Dean opens up about past entrepreneurial challenges and the lessons he has applied to achieve his current success. This episode is packed with invaluable insights for anyone interested in buying and growing a business. Key moments 00:59 Meet Dean: The Mastermind Client 01:24 The Acquisition Story: Negotiation and Deal Structure 04:32 Challenges and First Day of Ownership 06:57 Transforming the Business: Systems and Automation 08:47 Cultural Clashes and Staff Integration 15:41 Lessons Learned and Business Philosophy

In this episode of the Business Buying Strategies podcast, Jonathan interviews Dean, a Mastermind group member who shares his journey of growing his self-storage business through acquisitions. Dean discusses the benefits of buying established businesses, the importance of having a systemised approach, and the challenges he faced, including a failed acquisition. Dean also emphasises the value of mentoring and personal development in achieving business success and outlines his ambitious future goals for his self-storage empire.   Key moments   00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 01:29 Dean's Journey into Business Acquisition 03:17 The Self Storage Industry Insights 06:54 Challenges and Learnings in Business Acquisition 13:34 Future Plans and Strategies 17:27 Uncovering Hidden Costs in Business Deals 18:07 Negotiation and Agreement 18:59 Challenges of Managing Self Storage 19:42 The Importance of Due Diligence 22:22 Leveraging Expertise and Mentorship 25:22 Investing in Personal Development 29:09 Vision and Goals

In this episode of Business Buying Strategies, Jonathan Jay discusses the importance of proper education and mentorship in business acquisitions. He introduces the Mastermind 2025 program for serious business buyers and highlights upcoming events in Australia and the UK. Jonathan emphasises the value of combining online and face-to-face learning experiences and the importance of collaboration over competition in acquisition endeavours. He shares insights on avoiding common mistakes when buying a business, the importance of deal flow, and how to fund acquisitions without personal financial risks. Jonathan also explains the use of special purpose vehicles for liability protection and underscores the value of being part of a supportive mastermind community. Key moments 01:23 Upcoming Events and Opportunities 02:21 Introduction to This Week's Episode 03:21 The Importance of Practical Experience 04:36 Minimizing Mistakes in Business Acquisition 05:25 The Benefits of Proper Guidance 06:57 Online vs. Face-to-Face Tr

In this episode of Business Buying Strategies, Jonathan talks with Jamil about what happened following his acquisition of a fire door and safety business with a revenue of 4.5 million. Jamil discusses the challenges faced immediately after the acquisition, including unexpected operational issues and restructuring tasks. He shares insights on implementing growth strategies, optimising operations through technology, and improving business processes. Jamil highlights the importance of focusing on people, processing, and technology to enhance business efficiency. As he continues his buy-and-build strategy in the fire safety sector, Jamil emphasises the potential for significant returns from this approach and shares his future plans, including further acquisitions and potentially collaborating with private equity for expanded growth. Key moments 02:21 Recap of Jamil's First Acquisition 02:46 Challenges and Discoveries Post-Acquisition 05:02 Implementing Growth Strategies 06:19 Operational Improvements and Staff Ch

In this episode of Business Buying Strategies, Jamil shares his journey from a career as a paramedic to owning a $4.5 million revenue business without using his own money. He explains his decision to leave a lucrative corporate career to pursue business acquisitions, detailing his process of selecting and acquiring a business in the fire safety sector, which is recession-resistant and ripe for innovation. Jamil describes the negotiations and the structuring of the deal that involved retaining some equity for the sellers. He also discusses the importance of joining Mastermind for guidance and networking, ultimately emphasising the value of investing in self-education for successful business acquisitions. Key moments 01:03 Upcoming Events and Opportunities 02:10 Meet Jamil: A Successful Acquisition Story 03:00 Jamil's Background and Journey 09:30 Choosing the Right Business Sector 13:19 The Acquisition Process 22:58 Negotiating the Deal Structure 23:48 Justifying Personal Investment 24:58 Finalizing the Agreeme

In this episode of Business Buying Strategies, Jonathan continues his discussion with Cara as she shares her experience of expanding her salon business from a few part-time staff to a seven-location enterprise. Cara discusses the challenges faced post-acquisition, including managing staff behaviour, implementing new management structures, and overcoming initial cash flow issues. She emphasises the importance of having a solid company structure, HR, and finance management to ensure smooth operations. Cara also highlights the benefits of rapid business growth through acquisitions, allowing her to reduce the financial stresses of organic growth. Finally, she encourages listeners to consider joining the Mastermind program, attributing her success partly to the structured guidance it offers. Key moments 01:03 Upcoming Events and Opportunities 01:44 Cara's Business Journey: Part 2 02:51 Post-Acquisition Challenges 04:51 Implementing Management and HR Solutions 07:02 Financial Management and Centralization 21:35 Bal

In this episode of Business Buying Strategies, Jonathan Jay talks with Cara, a successful student of his Mastermind program. Initially owning a single beauty salon with an annual revenue of £150,000, Cara expanded to seven salons with a revenue of £1.3 million in just over a year. Cara shares her journey of buying businesses without hefty initial investments, her strategy for growth, and the personal transformation she underwent through the process. The discussion highlights key insights into negotiating deals, leveraging marketing strategies, and navigating the challenges of business expansion. Cara emphasizes the significance of mindset, strategic planning, and the network benefits provided by the Mastermind group in achieving business success. Key moments 01:23 Upcoming Events and Opportunities 02:21 Introducing Cara's Success Story 02:41 Cara's Journey: From One Salon to Seven 04:56 The First Deal: No Money Down 10:05 Challenges and Growth in Business Acquisition 15:35 Transition to Delegation 16:16 Perso

In this episode of Business Buying Strategies, Jonathan talks with Steven about the complexities and challenges faced after acquiring businesses. Topics include cultural integration, logistical challenges, management of cash flow, and the importance of consolidating back-office functions like HR and finance. Steven also shares his experiences dealing with change management, maintaining personnel trust, and managing cultural differences across acquired companies. They discuss the future goals for the businesses and the strategies used for growth and eventual exit plans.  Key moments 01:03 Upcoming Events and Opportunities 01:45 Introduction to Stephen's Journey 02:04 Challenges of Business Integration 03:08 Stephen's Onboarding Experience 04:11 Managing Bank Accounts and Cashflow 07:58 Consolidating Finances and HR 10:38 Insights from Private Equity 20:38 Dealing with Cultural Differences 22:45 Stephen's Personal Involvement and Future Vision 25:56 Is It All Worth It?   ** Looking for a great acquisition lawye

In this episode of the Business Buying Strategies podcast, Jonathan introduces listeners to Steven, a Mastermind member focused on digital marketing acquisitions. Celebrating 25 years since Jonathan's first M&A deal, the episode offers insights into Steven’s journey of acquiring and managing businesses from abroad.  With discussions on negotiation tactics, managing distressed companies, and the importance of deal flow, Steven shares his learnings and experiences in acquiring functional creative agencies and the intricacies of navigating acquisition challenges and successes. Remember to take advantage of Jonathan's free business buying toolkit, which is available on our website, and learn the significance of doing deals with the right support and mindset. Key moments 01:03 Upcoming Events and Mastermind Enrollment 01:47 Meet Steven: Building a Group of Digital Marketing Companies 02:28 Steven's Acquisition Journey: From First Deal to Today 03:59 Challenges of Running Businesses Remotely 05:58 Joining Maste

In this episode of the Business Buying Strategies Podcast, Jonathan and Ed discuss the advantages of using external financing for business acquisitions instead of personal funds, and why you should never risk personal assets.   They discuss strategies for using other people's money through diverse funding sources, challenging the broker narrative that necessitates being a cash buyer.   Rob from Canada shares his experience pivoting from British food shops to acquiring coffee shops, emphasising the importance of having a strategy and being confident in the buying process.   Jonathan also provides insights into choosing the right size and location for a first business acquisition, advocating for larger, locally-based businesses with established management structures.   Key moments 01:26 Why You Shouldn't Use Personal Finance for Business Acquisitions 04:30 Financing Business Acquisitions with Other People's Money 08:21 Refinancing and Restructuring Business Deals 10:49 Interview with Rob from Canada: Switching

In this episode of the Business Buying Strategies podcast, Jonathan discusses the critical difference between buying a business and merely buying a job. We conclude the discussion about the psychology and expectations of both buyers and sellers, featuring insights on maintaining a strategic mindset to avoid becoming trapped in day-to-day operations.   Jonathan emphasises the importance of acquiring businesses that are large enough to support management, thus allowing buyers to focus on growth rather than operations. The conversation also touches on practical considerations such as ensuring cash flow and understanding the true financial health of a business.   Jonathan is joined by an experienced accountant, Johan, who offers advice on sense-checking potential acquisitions, highlighting the importance of cash flow over profit figures. Johan also shares practical tips for using modern accounting systems to facilitate smoother due diligence processes.   Key moments   01:32 Avoiding the Trap of Buying a Job 03:3

In this episode of the Business Buying Strategies Podcast, Jonathan delves into the psychology and expectations of both buyers and sellers in the business acquisition process. He emphasises the importance of having a structured system and understanding the emotional dynamics at play.   The episode also features insights from Andrew, who scaled his business by acquiring five others and discusses best practices for managing acquisitions. The discussion also highlights the critical post-acquisition phase, detailing strategies for smooth transitions and maintaining business value.   Key moments   01:36 Understanding Buyer and Seller Psychology 02:44 Emotions in Business Deals 04:21 Seller's Fears and Hopes 06:03 Buyer's Fears and Hopes 06:47 Motivations Behind Business Sales 13:16 Andrew's Acquisition Journey 15:48 The Importance of Deal Flow 24:14 Post-Acquisition Challenges   ** Looking for a great acquisition lawyer in the UK? Use mine! ** If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal ove

In this episode of the Business Buying Strategies Podcast, Jonathan discusses strategies for eliminating personal risk when purchasing a business. Key points include not using personal finances or guarantees, structuring acquisitions correctly, and understanding the seller's motivations. The episode also covers common business buying mistakes, such as not having the right advisors, insufficient cash, and buying distressed businesses. Additionally, guest Daniel shares his experiences with business consolidation, highlighting the challenges of integrating acquired companies and the importance of cultural alignment.  Key moments 01:24 Eliminating Personal Risk in Business Acquisitions 03:01 The Importance of No Personal Guarantees 04:45 Protecting Mental Health in Business Deals 08:00 Advanced Methods for De-risking Acquisitions 10:46 12 Business Buying Mistakes: Part 2 10:55 Mistake 7: Not Getting the Right Advisors 12:46 Mistake 8: Insufficient Cash Flow 15:38 Mistake 9: Buying Distressed Businesses 18:22 Mist

In this week's episode of the Business Buying Strategies podcast, Jonathan's focus is on purchasing businesses off-market and avoiding common mistakes that new business buyers often make.   Jonathan highlights six of the twelve most common mistakes, including the risks of using personal money, buying businesses you don't understand, overpaying, and quitting your job too soon.   The episode also features Nick, who successfully bought a poultry business by leveraging creative financing and avoiding the usual pitfalls. Nick talks about strategies for financing acquisitions without personal money, the importance of buying larger businesses to avoid effectively purchasing a job, and the value of negotiating a fair price.   In a conversation with podcast producer, Ed, Jonathan advises new dealmakers to look for off-market businesses rather than going through brokers to avoid overpaying and the complications of dealing with experienced brokers.   Key moments   01:24 Common Mistakes in Business Buying 02:59 Financing

In this episode of Business Buying Strategies, we talk about insights on smart business acquisitions without risking personal capital. Jonathan shares key strategies from a presentation at the Marbella business retreat, emphasising the importance of getting corporate structures right and de-risking leases.   The episode features a discussion with Ed on the effectiveness of the buy and build, or roll-up strategy, and an in-depth interview with David, a successful mastermind client who combined multiple business acquisitions to win a substantial local authority contract.   The episode concludes with practical tips on avoiding personal guarantees, linking business payments to performance, and the integration challenges in buy and build strategies.   Key moments   01:42 The Importance of Corporate Structure 04:23 Avoiding Personal Guarantees 07:45 De-risking Leases in Business Acquisitions 11:40 Linking Payment to Business Performance 15:03 Success Story: David's Multi-Business Acquisition 25:57 The Benefits of

In this episode of Business Buying Strategies, we learn six innovative methods for acquiring a business without using personal cash or capital. Jonathan talks with former Dragon James Caan about ways to minimise risks in acquisitions. And Jonathan and Ed discuss the limitations of relying solely on internet resources for learning about business acquisitions.   Key moments:   00:00 Introduction to Business Buying Strategies 01:38 Six Ways to Buy a Business Without Using Your Own Cash 10:43 Interview with James Kahn: Mitigating Risks in Acquisitions 19:04 The Importance of Cultural Fit in Acquisitions 23:11 Why Learning Business Acquisition from the Internet is Not Enough 30:48 Final Thoughts and Next Steps   ** Looking for a great acquisition lawyer in the UK? Use mine! ** If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal over the line, then use my own lawyer, John Andrews. You can phone his office at (0345) 2412494 or email him at johnandrews.deallawyer@jmw.co.uk. Ready to get started? He

In this episode of the Business Buying Strategies Podcast, Jonathan Jay discusses the traits of an ideal dealmaker, emphasising the importance of courage, determination, and a positive outlook.    He shares insights into why buying an existing business can accelerate success compared to starting from scratch. He also talks about strategies for deciding what type of business to buy, including purchasing companies within your existing sector, supply chain, or distribution chain. Additionally, he highlights the value of surrounding yourself with a strong deal team and the benefits of clarity and focus when developing a business acquisition strategy.   The episode concludes with insights from a discussion with Ian on the challenges of balancing work and personal life and how to determine financial goals.   Key moments   00:00 Introduction to Business Buying Strategies 01:03 Who Makes an Ideal Dealmaker? 04:13 The Courage and Determination Needed 08:38 The Importance of Strategy and Focus 11:37 Part Two: Discussi

In this episode of the Business Buying Strategies podcast Jonathan delves into the crucial aspect of due diligence when buying a business. He introduces the three main types of due diligence: financial, legal, and commercial, and provides practical advice on what documents to examine for a comprehensive understanding of the target acquisition.    The episode also features Ian, an experienced deal maker, who shares his journey from redundancy to starting and acquiring businesses. He and Jonathan discuss the distinctions between buying small and large businesses and the benefits of aiming for larger acquisitions from the get-go.   Learn valuable insights on mitigating risks, understanding financial records, and the importance of taking decisive action.    Key moments   01:03 Understanding Due Diligence 02:38 Financial Due Diligence Explained 09:07 Legal Due Diligence Insights 11:43 Commercial Due Diligence Overview 13:55 Meet Ian: A Deal Maker's Journey 25:27 Big vs Small Business Acquisitions   ** Looking f

In this episode of the Business Buying Strategies podcast, Jonathan discusses several key aspects of acquiring businesses, including a success story from Alison, who saved £100,000 by leveraging group advice from the Dealmaker's Academy Mastermind students.    Jonathan covers the buy-and-build strategy, integrating multiple businesses into a larger entity, and also about overcoming mental blocks in purchasing a business.   Key moments   01:06 Alison's Success Story: Saving £100,000 10:10 The Buy and Build Strategy Explained 16:36 Overcoming Mental Blocks in Business Acquisition 29:28 The Importance of Cash Flow and Financial Management 31:48 Building a Strong Team and Effective Systems 34:25 Branding and Integration in Business Acquisition 35:55 Final Tips and Personal Well-being   ** Looking for a great acquisition lawyer in the UK? Use mine! ** If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal over the line, then use my own lawyer, John Andrews. You can phone his office at (0345) 2412494