logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2023
1h 25m

Opening Up to Franchises to Buy a Great ...

Will Smith
About this episode

How Doug Johns overcame his reservations about being a franchisee to acquire a dream business with $1.8m EBITDA. (Rebroadcast from September 2022.) 

Topics in Doug's interview:

  • Buying a franchise vs. independent business
  • Opening your mind to a franchise
  • The many (overlooked) benefits to being a franchisee
  • Calling yourself "independent investor" instead of "searcher"
  • Running a search like a B2B sales process
  • The appeal of a deal with few addbacks
  • Why home service businesses are so appealing as acquisitions
  • Loving, rather than running from, managing people
  • Why the top home service businesses have more sophisticated funnels than the Fortune 500
  • ServiceTitan
  • Where the opportunity is when the business you buy is already well-run and mature
  • Owning a plumbing company without knowing anything about plumbing
  • The numbers of Doug's deal
  • The exact multiple is way less important than you think
  • Using ROBS to buy the business
  • Why high growth can make a business harder to finance
  • Understanding debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) thresholds
  • Doug's tip for choosing an SBA lender
  • The $500k value of Doug's appeal to the seller
  • Going to meet a seller face to face

Reach Doug at:

  • doug DOT johns AT couffley DOT com
  • LinkedIn

Connect with A-players who can run your business remotely:

 Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Up next
Today
When to Buy a Large Consumer Business
<p>Taylor Mattingly found high-quality revenue in an unusual and sizable B2C business that he happened to be a customer of.</p><p>Topics in Taylor’s interview:</p><ul><li>Being Co-CEO with his best friend</li><li>Buying a business he was a customer of</li><li>Acquiring a business ... Show More
1h 21m
Nov 20
The Dream Outcome: From $300k to $5m EBITDA
<p>From the acquisition of a tiny refrigeration business, Linh Tran has built an enterprise that earns millions annually.</p><p>Register for the webinar: </p><ul><li><a href="https://bit.ly/3LYM4H2">What a Good Investor Pitch Looks Like</a> -TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/3LYM4H2</li>< ... Show More
1h 53m
Nov 17
Buy Well, Exit Better: A $67m Win in 4 Years
<p>Greg Geronemus bought a highly-profitable travel business at favorable terms, helping to ensure a great return on exit.</p><p>Register for the webinar: </p><ul><li><a href="https://bit.ly/47YbVXj">What a Good Investor Pitch Looks Like </a>- Nov 20th - https://bit.ly/47YbVXj</l ... Show More
1h 36m
Recommended Episodes
Aug 18
Why Franchises Are the Smart Investor’s Play 🏬 EP135
This week, we’re joined by Chris Wright and Alex Smereczniak, co-founders of FRANZY, to explore why franchises are one of the most overlooked paths to building wealth. From scaling 30+ laundromats to disrupting the franchise broker model with AI, they share how their platform is ... Show More
39m 43s
Jan 2025
660. "How do I build a profitable and thriving product-based business?" | Coaching Session
Welcome back product bosses! Do you ever feel like you’re pouring your heart into your products but still struggling to turn your passion into a profitable business? You’re not alone. Many product-based business owners start with a great idea but get stuck when it comes to buildi ... Show More
43m 24s
Feb 2025
Hustle Smart: How to Build Your Side Business Without Breaking the Bank
<div>In this episode of "My Money, My Lifestyle," host Maya Fisher French chats about side hustles with <a href="http://za.linkedin.com/in/willemgous">Willem Gous</a>, author of "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Side-Hustle-Success-Money-Steps-ebook/dp/B0D3ZR7QRM">Side Hustle Succ ... Show More
42m 8s
Sep 2024
How a now $100M CEO Learned How to Sell Businesses
<p>Learn how to invest in real estate with the Cashflow 2.0 System! Your business in a box with 1:1 coaching, motivated seller leads, &amp; softwares. <a href='https://www.wealthyinvestor.com/'>https://www.wealthyinvestor.com/</a><br/><br/>Want to work 1:1 with Ryan Pineda? Apply ... Show More
14m 34s
Jun 2025
R351 – Niche Down to Scale Up
<p class="MsoNormal">Niche down to scale up your small business faster.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style= "mso-bookmark: _Hlk160446384;"><strong>Show Notes Page:</strong></span> <a href= "https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/r351-niche-down-scale-up/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _ ... Show More
15m 5s
Jul 2024
Local businesses to start with NO startup costs
Join us for an insightful conversation with Jonathan Courtney, Co-Founder and CEO of AJ&Smart, as we dive deep into the mindset required for entrepreneurial success and we reveal two promising startup ideas. At the beginning of the episode, we discuss strategies to avoid burnout ... Show More
1 h
Jul 2025
#76 Wanna 10x? Be Unhinged.
In this solo episode of the BigDeal podcast, Cody Sanchez discusses the unconventional approaches to starting and growing a business. She emphasizes the importance of being unhinged and willing to take risks in the early stages, as well as the critical role of hiring top talent a ... Show More
18m 27s
Jul 2025
#82 My Billion Dollar Shark Tank Investment: Daymond John
Join Codie Sanchez as she dives deep with Daymond John, the founder of FUBU and a star on Shark Tank, in this insightful episode of the Big Deal podcast. They discuss his journey from starting FUBU in his mom's house to building it into a $6 billion brand, his investment strategi ... Show More
1h 7m
Nov 12
353: What High Performing Business Owners Do Differently Whether You Are Starting A Business Or Side Hustle, A Solopreneur, Entrepreneur, Mompreneur, Freelancer Accountant Bookkeeper Or Self-Employed
<p>As a business owner, you want to maximize your potential, both in your finances and in your personal growth.  Learning how to invest in yourself so that you can become a better business owner is essential to not only your growth but the growth of your business as well.  When y ... Show More
14m 14s
Feb 2025
I Made $50M Buying & Running Boring Businesses
Episode 681: Sam Parr ( https://x.com/theSamParr ) and Shaan Puri ( https://x.com/ShaanVP ) talk to Brent Beshore ( https://x.com/BrentBeshore ) about buying profitable businesses.  — Show Notes:  (0:00) $50K/yr to 9 figures (6:04) Accidentally buying a $1M business for $0 ( ... Show More
1 h