We're sunsetting PodQuest on 2025-07-28. Thank you for your support!
Export Podcast Subscriptions
cover of episode From $1.5M Profit to Fire Sale: What Happened?

From $1.5M Profit to Fire Sale: What Happened?

2025/6/6
logo of podcast Acquisitions Anonymous - #1 for business buying, selling and operating

Acquisitions Anonymous - #1 for business buying, selling and operating
AI Deep Dive AI Chapters Transcript
People
B
Bill
H
Heather Anderson
M
Michael Gridley
Topics
Heather Anderson: 我认为，购买这家企业的人可能认为可以兼职经营，但实际上并非如此。他们遇到了麻烦，不得不进行重建。现在的买家想退出，并暗示他们会打折出售。现在市盈率不错，但如果趋势仍在下降，就很难对公司进行估值。卖家至少诚实地说明了他们出售的原因。这件事开始恶化这个人的生活，比如他的婚姻等等。经营一家没有债务的小企业已经是一种负担，但如果背负债务，压力会更大。你必须保持收入在一定水平之上，否则你将无法支付贷款，并且会违约。这种压力对这个人来说真的很大，这太糟糕了。他们愿意分享自己正在经历的压力，以及这就是他们想找人接手的原因。 Michael Gridley: 我认为这家公司尚未完全稳定，如果趋势仍在下降，很难对其进行估值。在这种情况下投入大量资金风险很高，因为唯一的护城河就是设备。这个例子在社交媒体上被广泛传播，因为它展示了企业可能出现的严重问题。我记得看过类似这样的交易，是一家贴纸公司，而且有点蓝领性质，可能是关于安全用品的。我购买这家企业时，我购买的是什么？护城河是什么？我可能购买的是客户名单，而且我必须不断向Meta广告投入资金以获得新客户。这个人买了这家企业，以前能赚150万美元，但他贷款了，并投入了一些来自抵押贷款业务的储蓄。他发现自己在Meta广告上的广告支出回报率不如以前的人。他无法聘请别人来解决这个问题，而且这正在毁掉他的生活。这个人似乎不了解自己的极限。经营两家企业会毁掉你的生活，那你当初为什么要冒这个风险呢？Meta是否会继续友好地合作，以及是否有人会出价超过你，这都是一个很大的赌注。你会花120万美元购买这家企业吗？我称之为试图接住一把正在下落的刀子。你不想这样做，你会受伤的。我不喜欢购买仍在下滑且存在问题的任何东西。即使是那些已经证明自己是扭亏为盈的人，通常也希望看到一段时间的平稳销售。生活很短暂，最好还是去开一家抵押贷款公司，或者加倍努力做好自己擅长的事情。他们真的认为自己买到了一些更被动的东西，但事实并非如此。这感觉就像报名参加一个艰难的游戏。这是我见过的最透明的商业清单。好的企业通常以三到五倍的收益进行交易，而好的建筑物和房地产通常以十到十五倍的收益进行交易。企业有很多种出错的方式，而成功的方式相对较少，这与房地产不同。我对此表示反对。

Deep Dive

Chapters
This episode analyzes a print-on-demand business listing that shows a drastic decline from $1.5 million in profit to a fire sale. The seller's emotional distress and the business's financial struggles are discussed. The hosts question the viability of turning the business around.
  • Print-on-demand business with $3.8M revenue and $434,000 income
  • Acquired in 2024, experienced a sharp decline in profit
  • Seller cites emotional burnout and marital stress as reasons for selling
  • High dependency on Meta ads and creative refresh

Shownotes Transcript

In this episode, Michael and Heather dive into a blue-collar print-on-demand business listing with one of the most brutally honest and emotionally raw seller notes we've seen. 

Business Listing - https://quietlight.com/listings/16974795/?utm_medium=sms)

🎙️ This episode is sponsored by: Capital Pad – The platform for entrepreneurs buying businesses to connect with investors. List your deal or invest in others at https://www.capitalpad.com)

Inzo Technologies – IT services built for small business acquisitions. Get your free IT audit at https://www.inzotechnologies.com)

After purchasing a $3.8M revenue business that once made over $1.5M in profit, the current owner watched it crash—financially and personally. From RoAS nightmares to marital stress and burnout, this listing reads like a business soap opera. Is there an opportunity buried in this chaos, or is this a cautionary tale for all would-be acquisition entrepreneurs? Tune in for a breakdown of the financials, emotional stakes, and our hosts’ final thumbs-down verdict.

** Key Highlights:**

  • The business was acquired in 2024 and quickly began to decline.
  • Seller cites emotional burnout and personal turmoil as key motivators to sell.
  • Revenue was $3.8M with a 2.76x asking price ($1.2M).
  • High dependency on Meta (Facebook/Instagram) ads and creative refresh.
  • Hosts question the viability of turnaround, debt structure, and potential buyer strategy.
  • Suggested creative deal structures for rescuing distressed businesses.
  • A discussion on why this listing is a clear example of the difference between good and bad business risk.

Subscribe to weekly our Newsletter)** and get curated deals in your inbox**Advertise with us by clicking here)

  • Do you love Acquanon and want to see our smiling faces? Subscribe to our Youtube channel).
  • Do you enjoy our content? Rate our show)!
  • Follow us on Twitter @acquanon) Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations.

For inquiries or suggestions, email us at [email protected]