<p>The first business Joe Wechsler bought had $280k of SDE. Seven years later, he runs a fund with $50m of buying power.</p><p>Register for the webinar: </p><ul><li><a href="https://bit.ly/4vnGP5u">Franchising for the ETA Buyer: Resales, Roll-Ups, and Real Deals</a> - Thu, June 4 - https://bit.ly/4vnGP5u</li></ul><p>Topics in Joe’s interview:</p><ul><li>Background in management consulting</li><li>Inspired by <em>Rich Dad Poor Dad </em>to own assets</li><li>Joining an early cohort of the Acquisition Lab</li><li>Searching is more fun with a partner</li><li>First deal died 10 days before closing</li><li>Discovering employees had never been paid overtime</li><li>Total office staff turnover in first 4 months</li><li>Acquiring 4 diverse businesses</li><li>Launching a $25M equity fund with 5 partners</li><li>It’s all about the people</li></ul><p>References and how to contact Joe:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephwechsler/">LinkedIn</a></li><li><a href="https://blueline-ventures.com/">Blueline Ventures</a></li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Who-Geoff-Smart/dp/0345504194"><em>Who</em></a> by Geoff Smart and Randy Street</li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rich-Dad-Poor-Anniversary-Middle/dp/B07QPQ8WBL/ref=sr_1_1?crid=32I4FL52NLQHY&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.AaJ3BPKStGt1JOzkqMhZrxvh3OPTyTQSl3-TEwJsb9BU62X6aZN2_wEND50jzjZrBQmr6rMW0OAqmI2f1_RNMUMSulio2oAejFef_aAQSm4rV9gnxcmBTKug_hJXLYiMx8V5vduPtIoOtuqu7VpFxDGP7uRSPO5HnfYlxnXj8gPG9n84xsTT-G2FcDZXWVhgSG2tEFc_gAx1a1WUl_JxghKOmED4-IxnZdbhZu4JZ9M.n6k5e9iBjvzroCLGkEqz1Vh_btf5R8DIs0IkAWTk2WU&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=rich+dad+poor+dad&amp;qid=1778020742&amp;s=books&amp;sprefix=rich+dad%2Cstripbooks%2C140&amp;sr=1-1"><em>Rich Dad, Poor Dad</em></a> by Richard T. Kiyosaki</li></ul><p>Get a free review of your books &amp; financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):</p><ul><li><a href="https://landing.systemsix.com/acquire">Book a call with Tim</a> or <a href="mailto:hello@systemsix.com">hello@systemsix.com</a> and mention Acquiring Minds</li></ul><p>Download the <em>New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources</em> from Aspen HR:</p><ul><li><a href="https://aspenhr.com/new-ceos-guide-to-hr-download/">From this page</a> or contact <a href="mailto:jenny@aspenhr.com">jenny@aspenhr.com</a></li></ul><p>Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:</p><ul><li><a href="https://bit.ly/43gVGBX">Pioneer Capital Advisory</a></li></ul><p>Connect with Acquiring Minds:</p><ul><li>See past + future interviews on the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/AcquiringMinds">YouTube channel</a></li><li>Connect with host <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/willsmithsf/">Will Smith on LinkedIn</a></li><li>Follow <a href="https://twitter.com/whentheresawill">Will on Twitter</a></li></ul><p>Edited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron</p>

Acquiring Minds

Will Smith

Started as SBA Searcher, Built to a PE Fund

JUN 1, 2026106 MIN
Acquiring Minds

Started as SBA Searcher, Built to a PE Fund

JUN 1, 2026106 MIN

Description

The first business Joe Wechsler bought had $280k of SDE. Seven years later, he runs a fund with $50m of buying power.Register for the webinar: Franchising for the ETA Buyer: Resales, Roll-Ups, and Real Deals - Thu, June 4 - https://bit.ly/4vnGP5uTopics in Joe’s interview:Background in management consultingInspired by Rich Dad Poor Dad to own assetsJoining an early cohort of the Acquisition LabSearching is more fun with a partnerFirst deal died 10 days before closingDiscovering employees had never been paid overtimeTotal office staff turnover in first 4 monthsAcquiring 4 diverse businessesLaunching a $25M equity fund with 5 partnersIt’s all about the peopleReferences and how to contact Joe:LinkedInBlueline VenturesWho by Geoff Smart and Randy StreetRich Dad, Poor Dad by Richard T. KiyosakiGet a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):Book a call with Tim or [email protected] and mention Acquiring MindsDownload the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:From this page or contact [email protected] with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:Pioneer Capital AdvisoryConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron