In this episode we’re back with part two of the Chris Barr series on Jackquisitions. Chris is three months into his journey to acquire a business in Florida, and he’s bringing real updates from the trenches. From opportunity cost and deal dynamics to cold outreach and broker networks, this episode is packed with hard-won insights from an active business searcher.

We dive into the pros and cons of a pool service business he’s evaluating, the realities of navigating employee classification, and how acquisition imperfections are often just part of the game. Chris breaks down the lessons learned so far—from generating leads to refining search strategies—and why growth, not just debt repayment, should be the north star in any acquisition strategy.

If you're in the search phase or thinking about acquiring a service business, this is a front-row seat to the messy, insightful, and exciting reality of buying a company.

🔹 In This Episode, We Cover:

• Navigating the first 90 days of a business search
• Why opportunity cost is a real consideration in search
• Behind-the-scenes of evaluating a pool service business
• Key pros and cons of industry-specific acquisitions
• How Chris is using cold outreach and networking to source deals
• The tradeoffs between growth and early debt repayment
• Why no acquisition deal is ever perfect—and that’s okay
• Refreshing broker pipelines and learning from every interaction
• Lessons in lead generation and seller conversations
  
  

🌐 More resources

👤 Hosted by:
Jack Carr

👤Episode Guest
Chris Barr

💼 Shoutout to Appletree Business Services

HVAC and plumbing pros—ditch tax surprises and unresponsive accountants. Appletree handles your books, taxes, payroll, and acquisitions, and they know tools like ServiceTitan cold.

🎁 Get a free tax & financial review or 10% off a QOE report.

👉 Book a call at Appletreebusiness.com — tell Patrick Jack sent you.

💼 Special Thanks to First Internet Bank!

Looking to buy or expand a business? First Internet Bank is a National Preferred SBA lender specializing in acquisitions for the skilled trades. Their SBA loan program offers up to 90% financing for business acquisitions, partner buyouts, and commercial real estate—plus optional lines of credit to fuel future growth. Unlike traditional lenders, they take a “how can we” approach, making deals happen for both first-time buyers and experienced operators.

👉 Special Offer: Mention Owned and Operated for a reduced good faith deposit and a complimentary deal review + buyside prequalification.

Connect with Alan Peterson from First Internet Bank here to get started

Send us a text

Jackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus.

🖊️ Sign up HERE for more insights


📢 Enjoyed the episode?
✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly insights on business acquisitions, deal flow, marketing, and growth strategies!

📌 Disclaimer:
Some links may include UTM parameters for tracking. Episodes may feature paid sponsors, but all opinions are our own. Always do your own research before making business decisions.

Thinking about buying a home service business with an SBA loan? This episode is your go-to guide. Jackquisitions sits down with Alan Peterson—who closed over $70 million in SBA acquisition financing last year—to break down how to structure high-leverage deals, navigate the latest SBA loan rule changes, and avoid the costly mistakes many first-time buyers make.

If you're serious about acquiring a home service business and want a financing strategy that actually works, this episode is a must-listen.

🔹 In This Episode, We Cover:

• How to use SBA loans to buy your first home service business
• The $70M+ playbook Alan used in 2024 for acquisition funding
• Why having the right deal team is critical (and what to avoid)
• The latest changes to SBA rules (including seller note restrictions)
• Multi-step acquisitions: what just got harder and why
• Pro tips for working capital, due diligence, and pre-LOI strategy
• How early-stage buyers can stand out and get taken seriously
• Why personalized financial statements are a game changer
• How Alan helps operators with pre-qual letters and deal reviews
  
  
  

🌐 More resources: https://www.ownedandoperated.com

👤 Hosted by:

Jack Carr

🎧 Guest:
Alan Peterson

💼 Special Thanks to First Internet Bank!

Looking to buy or expand a business? First Internet Bank is a National Preferred SBA lender specializing in acquisitions for the skilled trades. Their SBA loan program offers up to 90% financing for business acquisitions, partner buyouts, and commercial real estate—plus optional lines of credit to fuel future growth. Unlike traditional lenders, they take a “how can we” approach, making deals happen for both first-time buyers and experienced operators.

👉 Special Offer: Mention Owned and Operated for a reduced good faith deposit and a complimentary deal review + buyside prequalification.

Connect with Alan Peterson from First Internet Bank here to get started

💼 Shoutout to Appletree Business Services

HVAC and plumbing pros—ditch tax surprises and unresponsive accountants. Appletree handles your books, taxes, payroll, and acquisitions, and they know tools like ServiceTitan cold.

🎁 Get a free tax & financial review or 10% off a QOE report.

👉 Book a call at appletreebusiness.com — tell Patrick Jack sent you.

Send us a text

Jackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus.

🖊️ Sign up HERE for more insights


📢 Enjoyed the episode?
✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly insights on business acquisitions, deal flow, marketing, and growth strategies!

📌 Disclaimer:
Some links may include UTM parameters for tracking. Episodes may feature paid sponsors, but all opinions are our own. Always do your own research before making business decisions.

In this episode of Jackquisitions, we break down the essential expert team every acquisition entrepreneur must build before buying a business. Whether you’re acquiring your first HVAC company or scaling into multiple service businesses, assembling the right support system can make or break your deal.

From legal frameworks to SBA loan processing, we cover the professionals who will help you move quickly, avoid costly mistakes, and access high-quality deals. Plus, we spotlight post-acquisition roles that keep your operations tight—like a skilled bookkeeper and a rock-solid insurance broker.

If you're planning to buy a business in 2025, this is your checklist.

🚨 In This Episode, We Cover:

🔹 Why Every Buyer Needs an M&A Attorney

🔹 Using a CPA to Vet Financials and Forecast Performance

🔹 Finding the Right SBA Lender to Get Funded Fast

🔹 How Valuation Experts Can Protect You from Overpaying

🔹 Post-Close Must-Haves: Bookkeeping, Insurance, and Staff

🔹 Bonus: Outsourcing Your Customer Service with Quick Staffers

🌐 ownedandoperated.com

🎙️ Host:

🗣️ Jack Carr

💼 Shoutout to Quick Staffers LLC

Need trained HVAC & plumbing CSRs at a fraction of the cost? Quick Staffers LLC specializes in placing top-tier global talent with the best SOPs and scripts.

🔥 Get $1,000 off your first placement here

Send us a text

Jackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus.

🖊️ Sign up HERE for more insights


📢 Enjoyed the episode?
✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly insights on business acquisitions, deal flow, marketing, and growth strategies!

📌 Disclaimer:
Some links may include UTM parameters for tracking. Episodes may feature paid sponsors, but all opinions are our own. Always do your own research before making business decisions.