In this episode, Michael and Heather dive into a blue-collar print-on-demand business listing with one of the most brutally honest and emotionally raw seller notes we've seen.

Business Listing - https://quietlight.com/listings/16974795/?utm_medium=sms

🎙️ This episode is sponsored by:
Capital Pad – The platform for entrepreneurs buying businesses to connect with investors. List your deal or invest in others at https://www.capitalpad.com

Inzo Technologies – IT services built for small business acquisitions. Get your free IT audit at https://www.inzotechnologies.com

After purchasing a $3.8M revenue business that once made over $1.5M in profit, the current owner watched it crash—financially and personally. From RoAS nightmares to marital stress and burnout, this listing reads like a business soap opera. Is there an opportunity buried in this chaos, or is this a cautionary tale for all would-be acquisition entrepreneurs? Tune in for a breakdown of the financials, emotional stakes, and our hosts’ final thumbs-down verdict.

Key Highlights:

• The business was acquired in 2024 and quickly began to decline.
• Seller cites emotional burnout and personal turmoil as key motivators to sell.
• Revenue was $3.8M with a 2.76x asking price ($1.2M).
• High dependency on Meta (Facebook/Instagram) ads and creative refresh.
• Hosts question the viability of turnaround, debt structure, and potential buyer strategy.
• Suggested creative deal structures for rescuing distressed businesses.
• A discussion on why this listing is a clear example of the difference between good and bad business risk.

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A fast-growing car hauling and truck repair business in New Jersey raises eyebrows and red flags in this high-revenue listing breakdown.

Business Listing - https://www.bizbuysell.com/Business-Opportunity/automobile-hauling-transportation-company-and-truck-repair-for-sale/2319221/

📣 This week's sponsors:

🚚 Capital Pad — The ultimate marketplace for acquisition entrepreneurs to raise or deploy capital with standardized, professional deal terms. Learn more: https://www.capitalpad.com/

💻 Inzo Technologies — IT expertise for small businesses from a fellow searcher. Get a complimentary IT audit before you buy: https://www.inzotechnologies.com/ or email Nick at nick@inzotechnologies.com

In this episode, the crew dives into a wild listing for a nationwide car hauling and truck repair company based in New Jersey that claims $7.2M in revenue and $1.2M in EBITDA in just four years of operation. With flashy numbers, minimal physical infrastructure, and a broker touting “strategic growth,” the team questions whether there’s any real equity value here—or if this is just a hustle built on a fleet of three-car trailers and thin margins. Personal car-shipping stories, freight brokerage economics, and trucking regulation shakeups all add context to why this deal might be more risk than reward.

🔑 Key Highlights:

• 🚚 $7.2M revenue and $1.2M EBITDA from a car hauling biz founded in 2021
• 🔧 In-house truck repair shop claimed as a competitive advantage
• 📉 Lack of exclusive contracts and questionable inventory valuation
• 🧮 Freight brokerage economics breakdown, including Shiply’s margins
• 💬 Candid takes on why trucking might be the ultimate red ocean industry
• 🕵️‍♂️ Questions around customer acquisition, route stability, and defensibility
• 🧾 Regulatory risks, SBA financing concerns, and the thin line between EBITDA and EBIT

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This week, the hosts break down a first-ever for the podcast—a Massachusetts quarry generating millions in cash flow and loaded with real estate and equipment.

Business Listing - https://www.bizquest.com/business-for-sale/quarry-gravel-and-wall-stone-in-new-england-municipal-accounts/BW2188901/

Sponsors:
Check out Capital Pad – the marketplace for small business acquisitions where operators and investors meet: https://www.capitalpad.com

Looking to explore franchise ownership? Check out Connor's site and all his resources: https://connorgroce.com

Episode Description:
In this episode, the hosts examine a uniquely asset-heavy small business—a quarry in Massachusetts listed at $17M with $2.7M in cash flow. With a 68-acre land parcel, $6M in equipment, and 5.5 million tons of stone still underground, this business comes with significant upside and risk. They dig into USDA loan potential, specialty product vs. commodity rock dynamics, the implications of fluctuating demand, and how this type of deal might appeal to family offices. There’s even a fun detour into San Antonio’s wild Fiesta tradition. If you’ve ever wondered what it's like to buy a hole in the ground that prints money—this is your episode.

Key Highlights:

- Why a quarry deal is a first for the podcast in 400+ episodes
- Understanding asset intensity and CapEx risk in quarry businesses
- Revenue mix between government contracts and private clients
- How to use USDA loans for large rural acquisitions
- Real estate as a built-in exit option once the rock is gone
- The role of family offices and what financing could look like
- A 53% YoY profit spike—explained or not?
- Why it’s critical to hire a specialty buy-side advisor for niche deals
- Bonus: a deep dive into San Antonio’s Fiesta and corny coronations

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Would you move to Alaska to own a snow removal business making $700K a year?

Business Listing – https://www.bizquest.com/business-for-sale/landscaping-and-snow-removal-company-for-sale-in-south-central-alaska/BW2313996/

📈 Big thanks to our sponsors!
👉 Capital Pad is the game-changing marketplace connecting acquisition entrepreneurs with capital. Whether you're buying a business or investing in one, visit capitalpad.com to get started.

👉 Interested in franchising? Connor Gross is the go-to expert. Join his newsletter or attend a workshop to find the right franchise for you: connorgroce.com

CTAs:
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In this episode, Michael, Heather, and Bill dig into a unique opportunity to own a long-standing snow removal and landscaping business in South-central Alaska. With reported SDE of $705,000 and a 17-year operating history, the business serves both residential and commercial clients in one of the snowiest regions in the U.S. The hosts examine everything from potential moats and operational challenges to community ties and the feasibility of SBA financing. If you’ve ever dreamed of running a simple but profitable service business in a remote and rugged location, this one’s for you.

🔑 Key Highlights:

- Business is making $705K in seller discretionary earnings (SDE)
- Located in Southcentral Alaska, possibly Anchorage
- 17 years in operation with a strong reputation
- Five employees and a lean, high-margin operation
- Challenges for outsiders entering a tightly knit community
- Potential for carve-out complications in financials
- SBA financing could be viable depending on buyer profile
- Lifestyle considerations of living and working in Alaska

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Would you pay $2.4M for a brewpub in Albuquerque? We wouldn’t—and here’s why.

Business Listing - https://www.bizbuysell.com/business-opportunity/flourishing-taproom-for-sale/2345707/

📢 Episode Sponsors:

📈 Check out Capital Pad, the platform for acquisition entrepreneurs and investors—standardized terms, simplified investing. Get started at https://capitalpad.com.

Thinking about owning a franchise? Connor Gross is your go-to expert—join his newsletter or attend a Gateway to Franchise Ownership workshop today. Learn more below!

In this episode, Heather, Bill, and Michael dissect the listing for a taproom in Albuquerque, New Mexico, that’s asking $2.4 million for a business generating $300K in cash flow. With the real estate not included, the team breaks down the economics of owning a brewery, dives into the intricacies of taproom licensing in New Mexico, and debates whether this is a hidden gem or a real estate play in disguise. Spoiler alert: the numbers don’t add up. From licensing laws to market rent assumptions, this episode is a deep dive into the realities behind the romanticism of owning a brewpub.

Key Highlights:

• Asking 8x EBITDA for a taproom with questionable profitability
• Real estate valued at $2M not included in asking price
• Discussion on current contraction in the brewpub industry
• Insight on liquor licensing workarounds in New Mexico
• Breakdown of potential mispricing and market rent blind spots
• Perspective on real estate being the actual asset over the business
• The risks of unsophisticated sellers and brokers in these deals
• Evaluation of business scalability and margins in taprooms

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This Amazon FBA shower filter business has $10M in revenue, $2.5M in EBITDA, and up to 50% recurring revenue—but will Chinese tariffs kill the deal?

Business Listing - https://quietlight.com/listings/16050561/

📣 Episode Sponsors:

👉 Learn how to buy a business with confidence through Acquisition Lab – the premier program for entrepreneurs seeking to acquire a small business: https://www.acquisitionlab.com/

👉 Need SBA financing to close your deal? VISO Business Capital connects buyers with over 30 lenders to find the best loan structure fast. Schedule a free consult: https://www.visocap.net (Click "Zoom Sign-Up" top right)

Website: https://www.acquanon.com/
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🎧 Listen to our full episodes on your favorite podcast platforms: https://www.acquanon.com/episodes

In this episode, Heather and Bill break down a $10M revenue Amazon FBA business selling vitamin-infused, multi-stage shower filters with a strong 40–50% recurring revenue from cartridge replacements. But there's a catch—its supply chain is deeply tied to China, and new tariff policies may render the business nearly untransactable. The hosts explore what makes the brand compelling, how SBA financing applies (even with a potential carve-out), and the real-world impact of uncertain global trade conditions on e-commerce sellers today. They also dive into new SBA SOP updates and creative (and sometimes sketchy) ways sellers are dodging tariffs.

🔑 Key Highlights:

• $10M revenue / $2.5M EBITDA Amazon FBA business selling advanced filtration showerheads
• 40–50% of revenue is recurring via cartridge replacements
• New SBA lending SOP may open doors for carve-outs
• Deep dive into how tariffs (up to 200%) are freezing e-commerce deals
• Onshoring vs. offshoring and the real limitations for US manufacturing
• The risk of platform dependence (100% Amazon sales)
• Insights into how importers are attempting to dodge tariffs with DDP shipping and false declarations
• The challenge of pricing a deal in high-uncertainty environments

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The team dissects a mysterious $6.3M Florida natural products business that looks great on paper—but raises more questions than answers.

Business Listing – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s0GFGR8yGnsX_xMKqs8WdiDcdf0t8L8T/view?usp=sharing

Sponsored by Capital Pad and Connor Gross

💼 Need capital to buy a business or want to invest in acquisition deals? Visit Capital Pad: https://www.capitalpad.com

🔥 Ready to explore franchise ownership? Join Connor Gross' newsletter at: https://www.connorgroce.com

In this episode, Michael, Mills, Heather, and special guest Chelsea from Acquisition Lab unpack a listener-submitted listing: a $6.3 million natural products distribution and retail business in Orlando, Florida. The team grapples with the vagueness of the deal memo—no clear product category, a suspiciously low inventory number, and a business claiming $1.4M+ in steady earnings while only requiring 10 hours a week from the owner. Is it a hidden gem, or is something being left out? Along the way, they explore gender dynamics in M&A, software carve-outs, and what makes a quality broker.

Key Highlights:

- Discussion on gender differences in business acquisition readiness and confidence
- Analysis of a Florida-based business with ~$10M revenue and $1.4M in discretionary earnings
- Pros and cons of vague listings—and what might be hiding behind them
- What “SBA financing available” actually means in context
- Potential for software carve-out and SaaS value in traditional businesses
- Jackie Hirsch praised as a high-integrity broker

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The hosts dig into a fire suppression business for sale in New York, debating whether it's a hidden gem or a risky bet.

Business Listing – https://us.businessesforsale.com/us/nyc-fire-suppression-and-consulting-business-in-new-york.aspx

Sponsored by Acquisition Lab and Connor Gross' Franchise Workshops

💼 Ready to buy your dream business? Join Acquisition Lab for expert support, resources, and a like-minded community: https://www.acquisitionlab.com/

🔥 Interested in franchises? Get help from expert Connor Gross and sign up for his franchise ownership workshop: https://www.connorgroce.com

In this episode, Heather, Bill, and Travis Jamison take on a fire suppression and consulting business based in New York City with $3.6 million in revenue and $750k in cash flow. The seller is offering up to 50% financing, but the team digs deeper into whether the valuation makes sense given its heavy reliance on project-based income versus more stable maintenance revenue. They explore the impact of compliance-driven demand, the potential of long-term contracts, and what kind of buyer would be best suited for a business like this—concluding that it might be a fit, but only for someone with the right background and connections.

Key Highlights:

- Breakdown of project vs. maintenance revenue and why it matters
- Discussion on market growth due to increased fire regulations
- Why seller financing might indicate underlying risk
- Considerations for SBA loan structuring in contracting businesses
- Who should (and shouldn't) buy this business

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