Owner vs CEO: 2 Approaches to Buying a Business

Derek Turner has done both a traditional search fund and self-funded. We hear both stories & explore the differences.

Topics in Derek’s interview:

• The advantages of a geographically-focused search
• His method for pitching business owners doing cold outreach
• Challenges within the laser van business
• Being a good soldier vs being a sucker
• The downside of growth
• The perils of buying from unpleasant owners
• How the company grew with no marketing
• Hiring a GM to run the business
• Why have a board with a self-funded acquisition
• Why self-funded search feels different than traditional search funds

Links and how to contact Derek:

• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• Roll-a-Shield
• Derek’s Twitter thread “When does a ‘good soldier’ become a ‘sucker’?”
• Derek’s thread on traditional search (being a CEO) vs. self-funded search (being an owner)

With SIG, you can buy your own business and retain majority ownership:

• Search Investment Group

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

• Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

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