Acquisitions Academy Podcast cover art

Acquisitions Academy Podcast

Acquisitions Academy Podcast

By: Mike Abramowitz & Elijah Cheeks
Listen for free

Real conversations with business brokers, SBA lenders, exit consultants, and deal-makers who are in the trenches of buying and selling businesses every day. We sit down with the people who see deals happen and pick their brain on what's working, what's not, and what most people get wrong. Our community of business owners is actively learning how to acquire businesses, build wealth through joint ventures, and create passive income with our M&A partners. If you want to be part of the conversation, join our free community at jvdeals.cbrcapitalgroup.comMike Abramowitz & Elijah Cheeks Economics Personal Finance
Episodes
  • Business Acquisition Mistakes That Kill Deals | The Human Side of M&A with Dr. Vanessa Enoch

    Business Acquisition Mistakes That Kill Deals | The Human Side of M&A with Dr. Vanessa Enoch
    Jul 14 2026
    Dr. Vanessa Enoch—President and CEO of Cultural Impact, with a PhD in public policy, an MBA in IT, an award-winning journalism background, and experience as an exit advisor. Vanessa unpacks the human side of acquisitions, explaining why the way an owner handles transitions and layoffs determines whether key talent stays or jumps ship. She shares how to evaluate a team with both quantitative and qualitative assessments, why institutional memory rarely shows up in the numbers, and how to off-ramp employees humanely through reskilling, upskilling, and redeployment. The conversation then pivots to an under-discussed funding lane: non-dilutive capital through government grants—phase one through phase three programs, the I-Corps commercialization program, Ohio's TechCred, and federal WIOA workforce funds. Vanessa closes by painting her vision for Smart Villages—technology-enabled, people-centered communities being built through Evolve Green Solutions across the US, Colombia, Guyana, and Africa. Best Quotes from the Guest "The way a business owner manages that change will determine the success or failure of their business." "It's the people left behind who are impacted most by seeing their friends leave—and those are the people you want to hold on to." "Smart village development is about shifting the conversation from managing poverty to building prosperity." Takeaways The human side of an acquisition can make or break the deal—mishandled transitions create fear ("Am I next?") and drive your best people out the door. Evaluate teams with both quantitative and qualitative assessments; the numbers won't tell you who actually keeps the cogs moving or holds critical institutional memory. Off-ramp people humanely: reskill, upskill, and redeploy where possible, be transparent about the "why," and provide support so departing employees leave with dignity. Timestamps 00:00 – Intro and Dr. Enoch's background 02:58 – The human side of transitions and acquisitions 05:57 – A, B, and C players: identifying who's key 07:04 – Assessing teams: numbers vs. institutional memory 13:05 – Off-ramping humanely: reskill, upskill, redeploy 16:34 – Non-dilutive capital: government grants from phase one to phase three 22:55 – Ohio's TechCred program for upskilling employees 25:09 – WIOA funds and becoming a paid training provider 27:19 – The Smart Village vision: technology-enabled communities 33:04 – Ownership models and investor/franchise opportunities 34:18 – Where to connect with Dr. Enoch 35:56 – Closing and community invite Conclusion This episode covers ground the show hasn't touched before—pairing the people-first playbook for acquisitions with funding strategies most buyers never consider. Dr. Enoch makes a compelling case that how you treat the people in a transition is a risk-management decision as much as a moral one, and that the employees who stay are watching how you handle the ones who leave. Her breakdown of non-dilutive capital, from federal grant phases to workforce training dollars, opens a practical new lane for funding post-close growth without giving up equity. And her Smart Village vision is a reminder that business, technology, and community can be designed to grow together. A genuinely eye-opening conversation for any acquirer. Links Dr. Vanessa Enoch / Cultural Impact: https://www.cultural-impact.com Evolve Green Solutions: https://www.ags3.com Dr. Vanessa Enoch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-vanessa-enoch Dr. Vanessa Enoch on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doc.enoch Dr. Vanessa Enoch on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1DocEnoch Community: jvdeals.cbrcapitalgroup.com
    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
  • Why Most Entrepreneurs Get This Wrong About Ownership with RJ Galdorisi

    Why Most Entrepreneurs Get This Wrong About Ownership with RJ Galdorisi
    Jul 14 2026
    In this episode of the Acquisitions Academy Podcast, Mike Abramowitz sits down with RJ Galdorisi—entrepreneurial advisor, business broker, franchise broker, active business buyer, real estate investor, and GoBundance NYC chapter chair. RJ opens with a fresh deal story: helping an eager young buyer who lacked the liquidity and resume banks require, on a franchise resale that wasn't "bankable" due to declining revenue. He walks through exactly how the deal got done anyway—a Chris Voss-style negotiation anchored with a lowball all-cash offer that landed a 10-year, low-interest, low-down-payment seller-financed structure, with the seller staying on to train. Along the way, RJ shares how his GoBundance partners act as a small private equity group that pairs capable operators with capital and an advisory board, and he lays out his frameworks: the science-based SpotOn assessment, the eight-step THINK decision process, and the five essential functions of a business. He also delivers a refreshing contrarian message—that most people shouldn't buy a business, and he spends more time talking people out of deals than into them. Best Quotes from the Guest "Business ownership is a full-contact sport."“It’s very easy to buy a business, it’s very hard to put that key in the door every day and operate that business.”"All you can do is raise the probability of success and eliminate the pitfalls of failure." Takeaways:Not every business for sale is "bankable"—declining revenue will get a deal kicked back by lenders no matter how clean the books are, so know your financing path early. Seller financing can rescue a non-bankable deal: anchor with a lowball all-cash offer, then structure a long-term, low-interest note with a small down payment so working capital stays in the business. Timestamps 00:00 – Intro and RJ's background 02:39 – A fresh deal story: helping a GoBundance member buy a franchise resale 08:17 – The small PE model: equity, capitalization, and weekly advisory meetings 09:12 – Personal guarantees and what happens if the buyer defaults 11:02 – The science-based SpotOn assessment: strengths, blind spots, and fit 16:51 – The psychological shift into business ownership 17:32 – The THINK process: eight steps for better decisions 22:45 – Why most people should NOT buy a business (the constitution test) 25:08 – 35 years of war stories and the "mailbox money" myth 28:25 – The Business Acquisition Catalyst masterclass with Bo Eckstein 31:04 – The five essential functions of a business (+ SWOT analysis) 34:47 – GB Wealth: matching operators with capital and protecting buyers 37:33 – Easier paths: subcontractor-model franchises 40:45 – Surround yourself with a trustworthy, ethical team 42:01 – Closing and community invite Conclusion:This episode is equal parts playbook and reality check. RJ shows what creative deal-making actually looks like—turning a non-bankable listing into a win through seller financing, smart anchoring, and a partnership structure where everyone's equity matches their risk. But his bigger gift to listeners is honesty: business ownership is a full-contact sport, the "mailbox money" fantasy wrecks families, and the right move for some people is not buying at all—or entering through a partnership, an assessment-matched fit, or a simpler operating model. Whether you're chasing your first deal or building your own mini private equity group, RJ's frameworks and his generosity with his time make this one worth replaying. Connect with Ralph "RJ" Galdorisi and continue the conversation! Follow him for practical insights into business ownership, leadership strategies, and coaching resources. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/integritybusinesscoach Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Coliseum.Caterers LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rjgaldorisi/ Email: RJ@businessownershipcoach.com
    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
  • The Fastest Path to Financial Freedom Isn't Starting a Business with Tim Delaney

    The Fastest Path to Financial Freedom Isn't Starting a Business with Tim Delaney
    Jul 1 2026

    What if the “safest” path—staying in your job—was actually riskier than betting on yourself and buying a small business?

    Tim shares how he went from trying (and failing) to start a business from scratch to buying a 50-year-old wine and liquor store with 10% down, limited industry experience, and an SBA-backed structure that made the deal possible. He breaks down the actual numbers on the deal, including purchase price, inventory, bank financing, seller financing, and how he recouped his initial cash investment in roughly the first year.


    Quotes

    • “I wasn’t really ready—but I was ready to be ready and do something drastic for my family.”
    • “If it gets you out of a job you hate, why not buy yourself a job—with a path to exit?”
    • “Don’t start with the dollars and cents—start with what you want for your life.”

    Takeaways

    • You don’t need to start from scratch to be an entrepreneur
    • SBA loans + seller financing can dramatically lower the cash barrier
    • Tim’s first deal was roughly $350K all-in (business + inventory). The structure:


    Episode Timeline

    00:00 Intro: Acquisitions Academy focus and JVDeals community mention
    00:49 Mike introduces Tim Delaney—liquor store owner, real estate investor, and Buy Box creator
    02:13 Why Tim abandoned “start from scratch” and began buying businesses
    02:43 First liquor store deal: $200K business plus inventory; how the deal came together
    04:55 Closing surprise: lower inventory value frees up cash at close
    05:15 Six-to-seven months from LOI to closing: building a detailed business plan
    06:19 Day-one upgrades: POS system and inventory barcoding
    07:11 Owner-operator reality: existing staff, aging owners, and succession planning
    08:20 Risk, family, and mindset: buying a business with a young child at home
    11:34 How Tim secured SBA financing with limited personal assets
    13:18 Results: cash flow, revenue growth, and rapid payback on the initial investment
    16:19 Comparing long-term business ownership vs. investing in the S&P 500
    17:44 Using the liquor store as a foundation for future acquisitions
    18:01 The million-dollar plaza deal: 90% seller financing, 10% private lending
    18:51 Using liquor store cash flow to fund plaza improvements
    19:40 Why SBA lenders and banks favor seller-financed deals
    20:19 Seller note structure and refinancing strategy
    21:06 Introduction to the Buy Box framework
    21:22 B: Build your future and define your ideal life
    22:00 U: Understand your constraints (cash, time, skills, risk tolerance)
    22:52 Y: Your role in the business (CEO, operator, marketer, etc.)
    23:31 B: Budget—understanding leverage and risk comfort
    24:31 O: Opt out—creating a “never” list to narrow opportunities
    25:31 X: Execute—build a one-page buyer profile and start talking to brokers
    26:10 Recap of the Buy Box framework
    26:43 How Peace Corps and overseas work shaped Tim’s views on business and impact
    27:37 Using business ownership to support travel, family time, and cultural exposure
    29:33 How to follow Tim, his podcast, and his buyer profile tool
    30:02 Tim’s resources: Business Buying for Financial Independence and PowerofBiz.com
    31:17 Final thoughts, review request, and JVDeals community reminder

    Conclusion

    This episode shows how a modest acquisition with just 10% down can become the foundation for long-term wealth, flexibility, and opportunity.

    Tim’s story isn’t about shortcuts. It’s about using SBA and seller financing, investing early in systems, and choosing businesses that align with your ideal lifestyle.

    His Buy Box framework helps buyers focus on opportunities that fit their goals, skills, and risk tolerance—so they can build assets that support their family and values instead of being trapped by another job.


    Links

    • Tim’s podcast: Business Buying for Financial Independence

    • Buyer Profile Tool & Resources: PowerofBiz.com

    • Community Mentioned by Mike: JVDeals.CBRCapitalGroup.com


    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
No reviews yet