Inspired Or Acquired

Clint Fiore, Patrick Dichter

The show where business owners get a valuation and share if they would sell or want to hold on. Real conversations, real numbers, real life.

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57 episodes
Updated Dec 17, 2025

Episodes57

Newest first

Dec 17, 2025 · 43 min
Joe Pohlen - Big Vision & Big Impact Buying Assisted Living Communities
In this episode, Joe Pohlen, CEO of Cardinal Senior Living, shares his journey in the assisted living industry, discussing the growth of his business, the challenges faced, and the importance of operational excellence. He reflects on his transition from self-storage to senior care, the significance of family dynamics in his entrepreneurial journey, and his ambitious goals for the future. Joe emphasizes the critical role of leadership in turning around distressed properties and the complexities of due diligence in acquisitions. Joe Pohlen on X: https://x.com/joepohlen Cardinal Senior Living: https://cardinalseniorliving.com/ Clint Fiore & Dealonomy: https://www.dealonomy.com/ Patrick Dichter & Appletree: https://appletreebusiness.com/
Nov 26, 2025 · 32 min
Martha Stavrou - Can you sell one division of a company?
Martha has built two niche businesses with her husband Tim, and recently they've been wondering what it might be like to sell one. They help hotels move out furniture before remodels, liquidate or store old furniture, and install new furniture. They also have an amazing 24,000 square foot retail store where they sell unique furniture and decor that's . We discuss what the liquidation business might sell for, an ideal transition and what life would look like if they sold. Deja Vu Furniture & More: https://dejavufurniture.net/ Clint Fiore & Dealonomy: https://www.dealonomy.com/ Patrick Dichter & Appletree: https://appletreebusiness.com/
Nov 20, 2025 · 42 min
Paul Sanneman - Building A Business You Love Through Great People
Paul Sanneman has built the perfect lifestyle business with Contractor Staffing Source. His $2.5M revenue recruiting business could run without him if needed, but he's enjoying the work he does every day. He's also built it around his lifestyle so we can spend plenty of time with family, working out, and enjoying the ocean in Hawaii. We discuss what his business is worth today and if he'd ever sell, as well as who might take it over. Paul shares some great wisdom he's learned after other failed business ventures, and trends he sees with his contractor clients. Contractor Staffing Source Website: https://contractorstaffingsource.com/ Paul Sanneman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-sanneman/ Clint Fiore & Dealonomy: https://www.dealonomy.com/ Patrick Dichter & Appletree: https://appletreebusiness.com/
Oct 2, 2025 · 38 min
Sam Allsopp - Sell A Roofing Business at $50M? Or Scale to $100M?
Sam Allsopp has quickly grown Neal Roofing & Waterproofing to over $40M revenue within 5 years. We discuss the key growth levers, what his company might sell for today, and what could tempt him to eventually sell. Sam also shares the multiple range he's seen other nearby roofing companies sell for and how he's educated himself on the private equity playbook. Sam Allsopp on X: https://x.com/sam_allsopp_ Clint Fiore & Dealonomy: https://www.dealonomy.com/ Patrick Dichter & Appletree: https://appletreebusiness.com/
Sep 26, 2025 · 47 min
Nathan Lindley - HVAC Struggles To Success
Nathan Lindley, owner of Done Right, shares his journey in the HVAC industry, discussing the challenges and successes of acquiring and professionalizing small HVAC businesses. He's almost one broke twice before figuring out how to make things work, and done 9 acquisitions along the way. We discuss their current business valuation his multi-location plan to scale. Nathan Lindley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanlindley/ Nathan Lindley on X: https://x.com/A_LastingLegacy Clint Fiore & Dealonomy: https://www.dealonomy.com/ Patrick Dichter & Appletree: https://appletreebusiness.com/
Aug 21, 2025 · 43 min
Casey McDaniel - Pest Control & Crazy Exit Multiples
Pest control companies sell for some of the highest multiples of any services businesses - this podcast uncovers why. Patrick Dichter and Clint Fiore interview Casey McDaniel, the co-founder of King Pest Solutions. We discuss Casey's journey of scaling to +$2M within 3 years, what the business might sell for today, and Casey's exit number he'd be happy to 'retire' with. Casey also details the ups and downs of a recent tuck in acquisition and how they think about organic growth vs buying more pest control companies. Casey McDaniel on X: https://x.com/pestctrlguy King Pest Solutions: https://www.kingpests.com/ Eversite - show sponsor & digital marketing: Eversite.com/inspired Clint Fiore & Dealonomy: https://www.dealonomy.com/ Patrick Dichter & Appletree: https://appletreebusiness.com/
Jul 31, 2025 · 53 min
Mark & Katie Fleming - Building A Unique Equity Partner HoldCo For Acquisitions
Mark and Katie Fleming from Owner Actions have one of the most interesting business models we've heard from guests. They've taken experience in wealth management and marketing to owning a diverse portfolio of businesses that includes cleaning companies, restaurants, and HVAC. Katie and Mark take % of ownership to help with finding deals, diligence, advising, and post close accounting and marketing. We discuss the challenges and rewards of their unique "for equity" model, the importance of finding the right partners, and how they leverage platforms like TikTok to connect with potential partners. Owner Actions: https://owneractions.com/ Owner Action on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@owneractions Katie Fleming on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiemfleming/ Eversite - show sponsor & digital marketing: Eversite.com/inspired Clint Fiore & Dealonmy: https://www.dealonomy.com/ Patrick Dichter & Appletree: https://appletreebusiness.com/
Jul 18, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
Business Broker Insights - How To Value A Business & How To Sell A Business
A special 'behind the scenes' episode where we break down how businesses get valued, what it's like to list them for sale, and pointers for sellers to get a deal done. Clint and Patrick discuss the importance of qualifying a business for sale, understanding seller's discretionary earnings (SDE), and determining an appropriate asking price. The conversation also covers the listing process, evaluating offers, and the significance of maintaining strong relationships with potential buyers. We also highlight best practices for sellers, the challenges of the closing process, and the financial implications of legal and broker fees. Eversite - show sponsor & digital marketing: Eversite.com/inspired Clint Fiore & Dealonmy: https://www.dealonomy.com/ Patrick Dichter & Appletree: https://appletreebusiness.com/
Jun 20, 2025 · 54 min
Brandon Hall - Sell Now With Exit Multiples High? Or Keep Growing?
Brandon Hall is one of the most impressive accounting firm growth stories we've known. He started Hall CPA PLLC in 2015 and has grown it organically to +$14.5M revenue and 150 team members. We discuss what would tempt him to sell the firm, AI impacting margins, if exit multiples in accounting will go up or down, traditional partnership structures in accounting vs PE exits, and more. Brandon Hall on X: https://x.com/bhallcpa Hall CPA: https://www.therealestatecpa.com/ Eversite - show sponsor & digital marketing: Eversite.com/inspired Clint Fiore & Dealonmy: https://www.dealonomy.com/ Patrick Dichter & Appletree: https://appletreebusiness.com/
Jun 11, 2025 · 45 min
Alex Nelson - To Buy Or Build? Wedding Venue & Coffee Chain Adventures
Alex Nelson is an impressive entrepreneur in Iowa who built a wedding venue from scratch to $4M revenue within a few years. He also recently bought a chain of coffee shops then renovated and rebranded. We discuss what each business might sell for today, which one Alex might sell, and his long term goals. It's a great discussion on buy vs build, real estate heavy businesses, and compounding. Alex Nelson on X: https://x.com/WeddingVenueGuy The Midnight Gem: https://themidnightgem.com/ Midnight Coffee: https://www.midnight-coffee.com/ Eversite - show sponsor & digital marketing: Eversite.com/inspired Clint Fiore & Dealonmy: https://www.dealonomy.com/ Patrick Dichter & Appletree: https://appletreebusiness.com/
May 22, 2025 · 45 min
Kyle Ewing - Hire a CEO Or Sell a $12M business?
Kyle Ewing is the founder of Terraslate, which manufactures and prints waterproof, and rip-proof paper designed to replace traditional lamination. Kyle shares how he scaled the business to over $10M in annual revenue while maintaining 100% ownership and fending off overseas knockoffs. We discuss the business valuation and if he would sell or not. Kyle Ewing on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyleewing/ Ideas To Empires newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/ideas-to-empires-7295591098423357440/ Eversite - show sponsor & digital marketing: Eversite.com/inspired Clint Fiore & Dealonmy: https://www.dealonomy.com/ Patrick Dichter & Appletree: https://appletreebusiness.com/
May 13, 2025 · 45 min
Brett McManus - Building $1M Equity In 1 Year With Apres Inn
Brett and Casey McManus bought an old motel in Killington, Vermont a year ago. They've shared all the highs and lows on Instagram such as fixing their own HVAC, doing bathroom remodels, and increasing revenue. We discuss how much the value has gone up in just a year and if they'd sell or not. We also cover another hotel they're trying to acquire and their tech startup for independent hospitality operators, Inndependent Stays. Innvestors on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innvestors/?hl=en Apres Inn: https://apresinnkillington.com/ Patrick Dichter & Appletree: https://appletreebusiness.com/ Clint Fiore & Dealonomy: https://www.dealonomy.com/
Apr 23, 2025 · 44 min
Cassi Niekamp - Growing A Fencing Business 5x
Cassi Niekamp left a corporate career in sales and bought Bowden Fence Company four years ago. She's grown top line revenue 5x and improved the business tremendously but still feeling lots of stress managing that growth. We discuss what the business is worth today, if she would sell soon, and what she's focused on for 2025. Cassi Niekamp: https://x.com/cassiniekamp Bowden Fence: https://www.bowdenfence.com/ Clint Fiore & Dealonomy: https://www.dealonomy.com/ Patrick Dichter & Appletree: https://appletreebusiness.com/
Apr 16, 2025 · 43 min
Daniel Magazu - Not Selling Before $5M Profit
Daniel Magazu's first entrepreneurial venture was a landscaping and mulch business he started during college. With the mulch business he cracked the code on Facebook group marketing, and has since gone all in on scaling his marketing agency business, Ride The Wave. It's growing very quickly and has 96% retention rate. We discuss what the mulch business might sell for today, what the agency might sell for, and Daniel's long term goals. Daniel Magazu on X: https://x.com/DannyMagazu Ride The Wave: https://ridethewave.info/ Clint Fiore & Dealonomy: https://dealonomy.com/ Patrick Dichter & Appletree: https://appletreebusiness.com/
Apr 2, 2025 · 47 min
Christian Kobes - Fast Growth Employee Benefits Firm
Christian Kobes is quickly scaling 19:21 Consultants Co, an independent health insurance and employee benefits firm. They've found their niche providing better, modern service to clients with +50 employees. Christian expects revenue to nearly double again this year. We discuss the M&A landscape in health insurance, what their company might be worth today, and if they'd sell soon. Christian Kobes on X: https://x.com/christian_kobes 19:21 Consultants: https://www.1921consultants.com/ Clint Fiore & Dealonomy: https://www.dealonomy.com/ Patrick Dichter & Appletree: https://appletreebusiness.com/
Mar 26, 2025 · 48 min
Furkan Yuce - Inspiring Story of Scaling Elevation Flooring
Furkan Yuce started Elevation Flooring with a couple scrappy partners and $2500 in the bank 7 years ago. Since then they've grown it organically to $7M revenue in 2024 and they're on pace for $10-12M in 2025. They've built some unique advantages that help them scale and be competitive like proprietary software and a back office team in Turkey. We discuss what the company is worth today, working capital constraints and what number might tempt Furkan to sell or not. Furkan Yuce on X: https://x.com/FurkYuce Clint Fiore & Dealonmy: https://www.dealonomy.com/ Patrick Dichter & Appletree: https://appletreebusiness.com/
Mar 19, 2025 · 40 min
Tim Ryan - 4 Pool Business Exits & Building SaaS
Tim Ryan has successfully built a pool cleaning business from scratch and sold it - 4 times over! Why does he keep doing it? He's been building a software for pool cleaning companies and is committed a scalable SaaS venture. We discuss what he learned with each exit, the sale multiples, and what his software company, Symbri, might be worth today. Tim Ryan on X: https://x.com/KenziesPoolBoy Symbri: https://symbri.com/ Clint Fiore & Dealonomy: https://www.dealonomy.com/ Patrick Dichter & Appletree: https://appletreebusiness.com/
Mar 7, 2025 · 43 min
Brendan Dawson - What buyers might pay the most for Accident Plan?
Brendan Dawson is the founder of Accident Plan, a niche software company solving big problems in commercial trucking. AccidentPlan is a risk management SaaS platform for trucking that mitigates common pitfalls when a commercial vehicle crashes to help keep companies major lawsuits and keep their insurance rates down. Brendan and Clint debate the valuation if it might sell to a strategic partner or whether a cash flow buyer would pay what Brendan wants. We also discuss what it might look like to take a partial sale or growth equity. Brendan Dawson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendandawsonmanwithtruck/ Accident Plan: https://www.accidentplan.com/ Clint Fiore & Dealonomy: https://www.dealonomy.com/ Patrick Dichter & Appletree: https://appletreebusiness.com/
Feb 27, 2025 · 46 min
David Barlev - Would you sell Goji Labs for $20M or hold on?
David Barlev started Goji Labs with his business partner 10 years ago. Goji Labs is a digital product agency building custom software, apps, and tools to drive business outcomes. They're grown steadily to $6.5M revenue and +35% EBITDA margins. We discuss what Goji might be worth today, if they'd sell the business or not, and what a deal structure could look like. David Barlev on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbarlev/ Goji Labs: https://gojilabs.com/ Clint Fiore & Bison Business: https://bisonbusiness.com/ Patrick Dichter & Appletree: https://appletreebusiness.com/
Feb 20, 2025 · 52 min
Matt Glaros - Health Insurance Exit & Buying Print Shops
Matt Glaros joined his small family health insurance brokerage, helped grow it 3x, and recently sold to a large strategic buyer, Hub. He's enjoying working for Hub and business is cranking more than ever. We discuss what went into the decision to sell and how they ended up a very high multiple between 15-20x earnings. Matt and his business partner have also started buying small print shops in Indiana - seeing relatively cheap multiples and lots of similarities to the insurance business. Matt Glaros on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-glaros-67790650/ Meyers Glaros Insurance: https://www.meyersglaros.com/ Clint Fiore & Bison Business: https://bisonbusiness.com/ Patrick Dichter & Appletree: https://appletreebusiness.com/