How to Turn $500k into a $38m Holdco (No Investors) | Garrison Snell Interview

Today's guest owns 5 businesses. He has debt on them, but no outside investors, so his family are the sole owners of this portfolio that generated $9m in EBITDA in 2023. Also, Garrison Snell is 30. He has no formal background in finance; he actually planned to be a professional musician. So hopefully this interview will show you how an outsider, someone completely naive to investing, can make a decision to pursue a path, and not only be successful, but be successful in a relatively short amount of time. Garrison has built this $38m holdco in about 6 years. In addition to a great story, you're going to learn about Porter's Five Forces, a model that we should commit to memory. And you're going to hear about the realities of holdco life. Garrison just this week had a crisis in one of his businesses, and he tells all. Enjoy this fascinating interview with Garrison Snell of Snell Ventures.
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00:00:00. Introduction to Garrison Snell
00:06:23. Garrison starts managing musicians
00:08:28 Significant exit from the agency
00:13:12 Existential crisis leads to personal mission
00:21:57. Real estate ventures
00:25:42. Buying and quickly selling a restaurant
00:32:09. Manufacturing acquisitions
00:41:20. Learning and evolving as an investor
00:51:01. Key financial indicators and investment criteria
00:56:18. Personal guarantees and return on investment
01:00:40. Porter's Five Forces explained
01:10:19. Applying the five forces to home services
01:18:48. Acquisitions #3-6
01:25:14. Handling an employee walkout
01:35:19. Learnings from his recent crisis
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ABOUT Acquiring Minds
Acquiring Minds is a podcast about buying businesses. Acquiring an existing business is an awesome opportunity for many entrepreneurs, and host Will Smith talks to the people who do it. New episodes 2x per week.
#business #acquisitions

[@rcolerobinson]

This is one of the best episodes yet, Will. I was especially impressed during when he was discussing Michael Porter's five forces how closely you were paying attention to the details there, and contrasting that approach with the typical financial review that most independent searchers are doing. Very well done, and Acquiring Minds continues to be on the shortlist of the best podcasts I listen to.

[@AcquiringMinds]

Glad I'm not the only one who appreciates nerding out over Porter's Five Forces!

[@rob.sisson]

Completely second this - such a fantastic deep dive into the approach with a replicable strategic lens, illustrated beautifully with tactical case studies - this is what I'm tuning in for!

[@duesvenatus6237]

Very good information❤ kudos to you guys

[@zackjensen4484]

another good book on porter i really like is "understanding Michael porter: on competition and strategy"

[@AcquiringMinds]

Noted, thanks Zack

[@user-yb4mq9qj9x]

Good info

[@NotRogan]

This interviewer sounds remarkably condescending and uninterested at times throughout the interview

[@user-yb4mq9qj9x]

U trippin Cuh

[@mweiss505]

What the ... are you talking about, I never saw a business podcast host being so interested in every detail of the guests story like Will.

[@tumblewede333]

The content is awesome, why are you whining

[@rcolerobinson]

This must be opposite day because I would say that describes the polar opposite of how Will handles his guests.

[@mattbarnes9442]

Hey @NotRogan - I couldn't disagree with you more. Will Smith is a thoughtful and thorough interviewer, his following and reputation stand in stark opposition to your opinion here. Freezing cold take.