{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/66ccbde775ce4cc6b950157a/68ffdb544bfd27f82dd68579?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"40 - From W-2 to Owner | Your Playbook to Buy Profitable Businesses","description":"<p><br></p><p>An historic opportunity is here: 2–3 million Baby Boomer owners are exiting their companies, and most aren’t prepared to sell. Eddie brings in veteran dealmaker Matt Uhler (800+ transactions; owner in ~20 companies) to teach you exactly how to spot, finance, and operate a business that gives you freedom, not another job. You’ll learn what to look for, what to avoid, how to fund deals, the first 90 day moves, and a counterintuitive win-win negotiation approach sellers actually embrace. Real stories make this a practical masterclass for first-time buyers and seasoned operators alike.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>TIMESTAMPS: </strong></p><ul><li>00:00 – Why this episode is different + guest intro</li><li>01:20 – The Baby Boomer exit wave: 2–3M owners leaving businesses</li><li>04:05 – What percentage of listed businesses actually sell &amp; why</li><li>06:13 – Owners treat businesses like jobs vs assets</li><li>07:18 – Buyer’s filter: look for a recipe + positive financial trend</li><li>09:11 – Plane losing altitude analogy: why amateurs crash turnarounds</li><li>11:39 – Eddie’s “scale to the moon” vs Matt’s Main Street base-hit strategy</li><li>13:23 – First time buyers: start smaller; mind the five pillars</li><li>16:20 – 2020 Pandemic case study: stress, communication cadence, core competencies</li><li>20:26 – Funding deals: SBA, income producing debt, keep liquidity</li><li>22:48 – Don’t go solo: representation, comps, and avoiding listing traps</li><li>26:11 – KPIs &amp; first diligence pass: can it pay for itself and you?</li><li>28:18 – Add-backs that aren’t bankable = deal killers</li><li>30:17 – First 90 days: third party accounting, protect the recipe</li><li>34:22 – How to correct operators without breaking the relationship</li><li>36:35 – Coaching his son’s buy: distressed appearance, fair multiple, inventory</li><li>38:32 – Negotiation masterclass: don’t corner sellers; preserve goodwill</li><li>43:34 – Cautions: stay in your core competency; test returns backwards</li><li>45:46 – Worst deal walked away from: people &gt; numbers</li><li>49:08 – Three things to check: financials, customer proof, owner integrity</li><li>49:53 – What is a “business empire” now? Freedom, diversification, impact</li></ul>","author_name":"Eddie Wilson"}