Blake, you were part of my inspiration when I left corporate America. Former VP Sales, 100M in ARR. Today, Small business owner.
My first 6 months was horrific. Top 3 customers down 80%. Fast forward to the next 6 month and we have finally outpaced previous years performance (previous owner) and on track for next year to be +$1.5M Y/O/Y.
The biggest change was my mindset. Control what I can and focus on my strengths. Sales… in an industry I knew nothing about, we are growing. Fast. Finally.
Stay positive. Trust your network. Control what you can.
This resonates. I'm about 6 months into my first acquisition. It's been up and down, and we just hit a MAJOR roadblock last week we're working through.
Thanks so much for sharing this level of transparency. As I read through it, I really was able to feel the emotions that you somewhat felt as well. As I'm looking for my first business, this type of post makes me think even harder about criteria and expanding the actual horizon of that experience and not a quick hit. Thanks man. As it already has, things will continue to get better. Stay blessed!
Thank you so much for the kind words. It's been a journey and I hope that my writing can shed light on anything for anyone who's looking to buy. I still believe it's a great option, just expensive learnings.
I'm so in awe of your bravery in sharing this Blake and my heart really goes out to you for everything you've been through this past year or so. I did notice you had become quiet on the newsletter.
From everything you've written here, you're incredibly driven and I really think you'll turn this around - and it sounds like that might be happening already. And that will be the story I can't wait to read too!
I also think there's something of a warning here about the business acquisition influencers who pretend that this is easy.
Really appreciate the note, Richard. This means a lot to me. I hope it'll turn around, we'll just keep chugging away. There's definitely a lot of content of how to make 'easy money' buying boomer businesses. It's wrong.
Blake, you were part of my inspiration when I left corporate America. Former VP Sales, 100M in ARR. Today, Small business owner.
My first 6 months was horrific. Top 3 customers down 80%. Fast forward to the next 6 month and we have finally outpaced previous years performance (previous owner) and on track for next year to be +$1.5M Y/O/Y.
The biggest change was my mindset. Control what I can and focus on my strengths. Sales… in an industry I knew nothing about, we are growing. Fast. Finally.
Stay positive. Trust your network. Control what you can.
Charlie B
Appreciate this note so much. Brings hopes that I can make it happen. Thanks for sharing this
This resonates. I'm about 6 months into my first acquisition. It's been up and down, and we just hit a MAJOR roadblock last week we're working through.
Thanks so much for sharing this level of transparency. As I read through it, I really was able to feel the emotions that you somewhat felt as well. As I'm looking for my first business, this type of post makes me think even harder about criteria and expanding the actual horizon of that experience and not a quick hit. Thanks man. As it already has, things will continue to get better. Stay blessed!
Thank you so much for the kind words. It's been a journey and I hope that my writing can shed light on anything for anyone who's looking to buy. I still believe it's a great option, just expensive learnings.
I'm so in awe of your bravery in sharing this Blake and my heart really goes out to you for everything you've been through this past year or so. I did notice you had become quiet on the newsletter.
From everything you've written here, you're incredibly driven and I really think you'll turn this around - and it sounds like that might be happening already. And that will be the story I can't wait to read too!
I also think there's something of a warning here about the business acquisition influencers who pretend that this is easy.
Really appreciate the note, Richard. This means a lot to me. I hope it'll turn around, we'll just keep chugging away. There's definitely a lot of content of how to make 'easy money' buying boomer businesses. It's wrong.
Absolutely. Two questions I had thinking about this yesterday.
1. Is the business unprofitable? Or are profits just down a lot at the moment?
2. If you were to begin the process again, what would you have done differently?
Blake, this is so raw and so real and the only business content I’ve read that seems to actually matter. Rooting for you.
Really appreciate this, Josie. Means so much!
You're not only brave enough to step in the arena, but you have the vulnerability to share.
Keep your head up. Take one day at a time. You've got this.