logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2025
1h 28m

The Path from $2.5m to $60m in a Tree Bu...

Will Smith
About this episode

Register for the webinar:

Brian Hartman 3x'd revenue in 2 years at the tree business he bought, then partnered with an investor to grow even more.

Topics in Brian’s interview:

  • Picking up the phone is crucial
  • Growing so fast the wheels nearly came off
  • Hiring top-tier managers and ops staff early
  • Managing cash flow and receivables through growth
  • Expanding via acquisition, starting in Dallas
  • Ensuring safety for employees
  • Partnering with another Acquiring Minds guest
  • Aiming for $55–70M in revenue by 2030
  • Buying a business with baby #3 on the way
  • How landscaping is different from tree service


References and how to contact Brian:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

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

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

Up next
Yesterday
Trades Over Tech: Buying an Appliance Repair Business
Brian Seeling sought a blue-collar business with a good manager in place. He found exactly that — with $2.6m in revenue.Register for the webinar: Tactical EQ to Win Over Sellers and Brokers - TODAY! - https://bit.ly/46MlUhCTopics in Brian’s interview:Being an entrepreneurial kidM ... Show More
1h 10m
Oct 6
Acquisition Unlock: €210m in 5 Years
Nick Keegan owned a struggling software business doing just €1m/yr until an acquisition put it on the path to 9 figures.Register for the webinars: How PACT Simplifies Investor Deals Using SBA - TOMORROW! - https://bit.ly/42jGpB2Tactical EQ to Win Over Sellers and Brokers - Thu Oc ... Show More
1h 28m
Oct 2
$60m Roll-Up That Started With an SBA Acquisition
Onu Okebie and Brian Boland wanted to retain 100% ownership when they began, so they used an SBA loan. It has paid off.Register for the webinars: The ABCs of Franchise M&A: Deal Sourcing, Diligence, and Integration - TODAY! - https://bit.ly/481yThOHow PACT Simplifies Investor Dea ... Show More
1h 29m
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2025
"I Fast-Forwarded My Life 10 Years”: How Geo-Arbitrage 3X’d My Wealth and Changed My Life
What if you could fast-forward your financial goals by ten years just by moving abroad? That’s exactly what entrepreneur Rob Hoffman did when he relocated to Colombia, where his $3M net worth stretches as if it’s $9M. Rob, a member of the Hampton community, shares how he built a ... Show More
32m 6s
Mar 2025
I Sold for $100M and Now I Spend $1M/Year
This podcast is a ridiculous concept: high-net-worth people reveal their personal finances. Inspired by real conversations happening in the Hampton community. If you're a founder doing at least $3M/year in sales, check out Hampton: https://www.joinhampton.com/. Dan Berger sold hi ... Show More
47m 57s
Mar 2025
146. Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition 101 feat. Jesse Safir
Send us a textJoin us as we dive deep into the world of Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) with our guest, Jesse Safir, President of ABG Print. In this episode, finance enthusiasts and budding entrepreneurs will find a treasure trove of insights about search funds, self-f ... Show More
1h 39m
Oct 5
Everyone Says Focus on ONE Thing (I Disagree)
Join me as I shares my journey and offers valuable "financial advice" on "money management" and "investing". Learn the "how to build wealth" and cultivate a positive "money mindset", while mastering "personal finance" for lasting "wealth".watch video here: https://youtu.be/rgLRh4 ... Show More
10m 41s
Apr 2025
#806: How Rich Barton Built Expedia and Zillow from $0 to $35B — Audacious Goals, Provocation Marketing, Scrabble for Naming, and Powerful Daily Rituals
Rich Barton is the co-founder and co-executive chairman of Zillow, a company transforming how people buy, sell, rent, and finance homes. Before Zillow, Rich founded Expedia within Microsoft in 1994 and successfully spun the company off as a public company in 1999. He served as pr ... Show More
2h 25m
Sep 16
$12 Million Exit... Did He Just Get Lucky?
Thinking about selling your company? 24 founders told us what really happens after the wire hits. — https://joinhampton.com/exit-reportDonald Spann built a multi-million dollar call center from scratch — with no outside capital, no technical background, and no safety net. Even cr ... Show More
34m 20s
Mar 2025
How Tommy Mello Became a Billionaire Painting Garage Doors (And How He Shares the Wealth)
What does it take to turn a blue-collar business into a billion-dollar empire?For Tommy Mello, the answer is simple: relentless competition, strategic investing, and an unwavering commitment to winning. From painting garage doors to building A1 Garage Doors into a massive industr ... Show More
30m 47s
Aug 27
Robert Wallace: Managing Stanford’s Endowment, Balancing Risk, and Driving Innovation
What shapes the investment strategy behind one of higher education's largest endowments? Nicolai Tangen sits down with Robert Wallace, CEO of Stanford Management Company, who oversees more than $40 billion for Stanford University. From his unique journey as a professional ballet ... Show More
47m 58s
Jul 2024
What To Do When Your Operator QUITS The DAY AFTER You Buy A Small Business w/ Jordan Griffie
Jordan Griffie, a member of Action Academy, shares in full detail how to execute and overcome roadblocks for a successful business ownership transition, as well as giving powerful advice on how to effectively acquire and manage multiple businesses. Get in touch with Jordan: Conta ... Show More
54 m
Dec 2024
E117: What Will Family Offices Invest into in 2025? w/Hansen Ringer
Hansen Ringer, Managing Director at Sepio Capital sits down with David Weisburd to discuss the asset class that delivers equity-like returns without the market risk, what distressed credit reveals about market cycles and investor behavior, and what happens when stocks and bonds m ... Show More
42m 10s