How a First-Timer Did a Turnaround (Including an Exit)

Ben Rizzo bought an unprofitable, 4th-generation elevator business then stabilized, doubled, and sold it within 2 years.

Topics in Ben’s interview:

• His wife-funded search in Pittsburgh
• Sourcing deals through lawyers and accountants vs brokers
• Acquiring an elevator repair business in distress
• Quickly making changes after transition
• Pouring his own money into the company to stay operational
• Surviving the challenges of Covid
• Doubling the business and selling to private equity
• Calculating the risk of buying a turnaround
• Buying a healthy business for his next venture
• Competing with private equity for acquisitions

References and how to contact Ben:

• Hartwood Point
• LinkedIn

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

• Contact [email protected] or visit Aspen HR

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

• The Acquisition Lab

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

• See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
• Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
• Follow Will on Twitter