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Podcasts/Acquiring Minds
Acquiring Minds✓ Verified in SBA records

Lessons From A Founder Who Then Started Acquiring

with Mike Loftus · Commercial landscaping business

LenderHawk analysis. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Acquiring Minds.

The Deal

Business
Commercial landscaping business
Industry
Commercial landscaping
State
CA
Year
2018
Revenue at Purchase
$600K
SDE at Purchase
$150K
Deal Source
broker

Financing Structure

Buyer Equity
$150K

Strategic Rationale

Sought faster growth beyond the one-million-dollar ceiling that many landscaping companies struggle to exceed by acquiring an existing maintenance-heavy commercial landscaping route with recurring revenue

Post-Acquisition Performance

Retained approximately 75% of employees and 80% of customer accounts; successfully transitioned from manual invoicing and flip phone operations to online QuickBooks and digital communications within first three months; maintained and grew customer base with minimal churn

The LenderHawk View

Real lenders that finance similar deals

Active Lenders
10
Median Spread
P + 3.75%
Top Lenders
Wells Fargo Bank National Association403 deals
U.S. Bank, National Association304 deals
JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association211 deals
United Midwest Savings Bank National Association100 deals
BayFirst National Bank72 deals
See all matching lenders →

Key Takeaways

  • 1Transition acquired businesses to online systems and modern communication to improve efficiency without disrupting customer relationships
  • 2Maintain strong relationships with employees by ensuring consistent paycheck delivery and understanding their socioeconomic constraints as they are the business lifeblood
  • 3Prioritize retention of key employees through relationship building and strategic compensation increases rather than relying solely on operational systems

Matched SBA Loan Records

SBA loan filings we matched to this deal

U.S. Bank, National Association95%
$233KP + 2.75%FY2014
Stearns Bank National Association95%
$150KP + 2.75%FY2018
Wells Fargo Bank National Association95%
$5KP + 6.50%FY2012