Acquisition Ace

President

Fit Pro Tracker

Co-founder & Chief Financial Officer

Alliance Defending Freedom

Sr. Director of Transformational Partnerships

• Experienced leader passionate about serving others and creating lasting relationships.
• Inspire others to collaborate and support ADF and its guiding principles.
• Reach and develop deep relationships to broaden support for ADF.
• Serve our ministry friends and be the conduit between support and results.
• Develop and build ADF's presence in the Northeast Region to ensure strong relationships and an increasing support base.
• Be the best team member, collaborator, and servant-leader.

Director of Transformational Partnerships

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Selected for a position with the top two Scottsdale private banker teams performing prospect research, strategy, and client investment portfolio consulting. Oversaw prospect selection and development during the entire life cycle from prospect to client.

Private Banking Associate

Hand Selected as one of the first three members of the JPMorgan Chase & Co. Military Officer Executive Development Program (MOEDP) in Phoenix, AZ. MOEDP selects top performing junior military officers and develops them into future business executives within JPMorgan Chase. I am currently serving in Phoenix Location Services Department.

Associate

US Army

Chosen over peers to lead and manage over 250 personnel in an arduous and results-oriented environment. Integrates multiple cross-functional teams to train, develop, and prepare civilian volunteers into Soldiers in a 10-week cycle. Responsible for over $3 million worth of equipment and the management and mentoring of 18 training personnel.

Company Commander

Project Manager for the daily training operations of 250 personnel. Utilized project management life-cycle principles for efficiency and scalable results. Coached and trained fifteen team leaders in order to share tools, techniques, and best practices. Ranked as #1 team out of 5. Developed local community partnerships through engaged leadership. Planned and led over 4-community school outreaches pairing military leaders with disadvantaged children in a local elementary school. Consistently ranked as #1 of 5 Executive Officers.

Project Manager/Executive Officer

Managed 5 intelligence analysts tasked with proving security analysis and consulting for local threats against the United States Military in Germany. Developed and implemented individual and team training programs. Created intelligence gathering program to gather, analyze and disseminate critical security related information, which led to the apprehension of 3 terrorists planning an attack on a local military base in Germany.

Consultant/Intelligence Officer

Coordinated training for all five units geographically dispersed throughout Germany, Italy, and Belgium. Supervised the training schedules and supply requests for all five Companies within our Battalion unit. Emplaced a maintenance program which increased equipment operational rating to over 90%. Received commendation from Senior officer for effectively coordinating 3 tons and 700,000 dollars of equipment during a 2,000 personnel exercise.

Project Manager/Training Officer

Acquired & scaled 7 businesses with little or $0 down. | Off-market deal sourcing fanatic. | Helping others do the same.

Hey! Ben here...

I help everyday people buy profitable businesses with little to no money down.

My journey started 6 years ago when I was working 60 hours/week at JP Morgan, dreaming of more time with my family.

Today, I own a portfolio of 6 businesses that generated $7M+ in revenue last year, and I only work 18 hours per week.

The secret?

I discovered how to acquire existing, profitable businesses using creative financing strategies and government-backed loans.

I've used this method to build a portfolio that includes:

• A SaaS company making $150k/year (bought for $5k down)
• An ATM route generating $40k/year (zero money down)
• A financial services company producing $450k/year
• 3 other businesses bringing in steady cash flow

The best part?

I never work more than 20 hours a week.

This gives me the freedom to spend quality time with my wife and three kids while still growing my wealth.

Here's what most people don't realize:

Right now, 10,000 Baby Boomers are retiring every day, many looking to sell their profitable businesses. 

This creates an unprecedented opportunity for those who know how to take advantage of it.

You don't need to start from scratch.
You don't need huge savings.

You just need to know how to structure the right deals.

Want to learn how to buy profitable businesses using other people's money?

📲 DM me "Biz" and I'll show you how.
🤝 Follow me to stick around for more!

Thanks for being here!

The corporate dream is dead.

MBA students are turning down 6-figure salaries at McKinsey to buy small businesses.

As someone who did the same…

Here’s my take on the situation:

--

I used to work at JP Morgan.

Got the MBA... Got the 6-figure salary...

But when I realized I could buy a small business and make money on the side?

I pounced on an opportunity.

--

I found a small business (SaaS) on LinkedIn and invested $5k for 10% equity.

After that?

I acquired 2 more businesses:

1. Web Design Company
2. Nail Salon

Then I quit my job.

--

The numbers don't lie here.

75M Boomers will retire by 2030, and 10,000 are currently retiring every day.

Here's why these top graduates are choosing to profit from this opportunity:

--

💰 Earning Potential

All it takes is just one small business to earn more than a corporate salary.

I look for boring, established businesses (5+ years old) with strong cash flow and growing revenue.

If you're patient enough, you can find a business that allows you to take home 6-figures plus.

--

⏰ Time Flexibility

In total, I own 7 small businesses and work ~20 hours per week.

I buy businesses that already have systems and operations built so I can delegate tasks and be removed from the day-to-day.

I just need to hire smart.

--

❤️ Fulfillment

When you have a traditional job, you make more by increasing your hours.

But I buy businesses that don't need me there 9 to 5 to increase my income.

This means I have more time for my family as well as control over my earnings.

--

The best part?

Even if you're not a business major, you can still buy your own small business.

If you want to learn the method I used to scale my business portfolio to $800k/year...

DM me "Biz" and I'll show you how.

Ben Kelly

The richest people in America own:

• Storage facilities
• Laundromats
• HVAC

How do I know?

Because my clients at JP Morgan loved to buy boring businesses.

Now I’m exposing how they did it:

--

Step 1: Market Research.

Start with SMBmarket(.com).

It's the internet's most active business-for-sale marketplace.

You'll see terms like:

- Price (how much it is)
- Revenue (incoming cash)
- Cashflow (profit - expenses)

Adjust the filters to your liking.

–

Step 2: Discover Your Type.

There are 10,000s of businesses to choose from.

Ask yourself:

- What businesses do I visit often?
- Which industries do I like?
- What has longevity?

And you aren't limited to one type either.

–

Step 3: Determine Your Goal.

Every investor is different.

If you want a more "hands-on" experience, something like a parking lot might not be for you.

Determine what you're looking for.

Then get after it.

–

Step 4: Set Your Financing.

Let's figure out your acquisition strategy.

These questions will help:

- Are you buying outright?
- Do you need a bank to finance?
- Are you bringing an investor with you?

I like to structure deals with lending, seller financing, and investors to get as little down as possible.

–

Step 5: Start Making Calls.

The more calls the merrier.

Steal these tips:

- Jot down as many notes as you can
- Know that you have leverage as the buyer
- Forget about the emotions

I promise this will ease the process.

–

Step 6: Make An Offer.

Now, you MUST look at the last 3 years of "owner's total profit" (SDE).

Multiply the average by 2x-4x (deal dependent).

- Round down
- Make your offer
- Negotiate and wait

Practice expectation management.

–

Step 7: Structure The Purchase.

So I just mentioned that I like to do these deals with little to $0 out of my own pocket.

(Yes, it is possible, but not easy).

Find an investor willing to put up the down payment and give them more equity in return.

The extra cash flow will cover you.

–

Step 8: Do Your Due Diligence.

This is actually the most important part because you haven't closed yet.

Make sure you:

- Hire an accountant
- Talk to the employees
- Find a like-minded owner
- Check out their social media

Do NOT get lazy here, this is vital.

–

Step 9: Create a Post-Close Plan.

The first 3 months of ownership will set the tone for your success (this is huge).

You'll need:

• Insurance
• Email access
• Website control
• Employee contracts
• Social media accounts

Just to name a few things…

–

Step 10: Exhale and Close.

It's time to put the pen to the paper!

Congratulations.

You've done the due diligence.
You've done the research.
You've done the work.

Your generational wealth journey has begun…

–

Want to learn how I buy profitable businesses using other people's money?

📲 DM me "Biz" and I'll show you how.

Buying a small business is the fastest way to become a millionaire.

Anyone can do it.

6 steps to buy your first business (and make $1,000,000):

Step 1: Market Research.

Go to "bizbuysell(dot)com."

You'll find 1,000s of listings and start to notice some patterns.

They'll mention:

Cashflow (profit after expenses).

SDE (Seller Discretionary Income).

FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment).

Revenue (money coming into the business).

EBITDA (Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization).

A few important terms to know. 
Mess around with the filters to match your:

• Location
• Price range
• Ideal cashflow

Get comfortable looking at the listings to see what you might like. 

Step 2: Engage With Lenders.

You need to ask yourself:

"How will I fund this acquisition?"

Will I use:

• My own money?
• An investor?
• A bank? 

There are many ways to get the deal done.

I prefer to buy the business with little to $0 down.

I teach my students the same.

Step 3: Start Making Calls.

Don't get discouraged at this point in the process.

• Phone calls
• Meetings
• Zooms

Things still may not work out.

That's okay. 

Take a ton of notes and keep going till you find a business.

Once you have:

• The reason they're selling
• 3 years of tax returns
• P&L statements

Consult a professional for due diligence.

Sellers can fluff the numbers.

And remember:

NEVER become emotionally attached to a deal. 

Step 4: Make Your Offer.

Take the average SDE (owner's total profit) from the last 3 years.

Multiply that number by a 2x - 4x multiple depending on business condition.

Round down your answer.

Make the offer. The seller accepts.

Congrats! 

Step 5: Structure The Purchase.

What's better than buying a business with none of our own money? (answer = not much)

For the sake of this example, let's use Bob's money.

Bob wants to invest in a business and he loves your deal.

You tell Bob that if he provides the 10% downpayment, he'll get 15% equity in the business.

It's a win-win-win-win. 

Here's how:

Win #1: Bob gets an amazing return.
Win #2: The business can still grow.
Win #3: You delegate daily tasks.
Win #4: You can keep the rest.

Then you repeat. 

Step 6: Due Diligence.

This is by far the most critical part of the business buying process.

Do this:

• Hire an accountant
• Talk to the employees
• Find a like-minded owner
• Check out their social media

Final Step: Exhale & Close.

You just bought your first business!

Note: Anyone can do this, all you need to do is get started.

I love this game...

Interested? DM me to get started.

David Eye

I know within 30 seconds whether or not I’m buying a business.

It’s not because I have an MBA…
It’s because I know what to look for.

Here are the 10 signs I need to see (before I buy):

--

1. The business is 5+ years old.

I never touch startups or new ventures.

By year 5, they've survived the initial growing pains, and proven their model works.

Most failures happen in the first 3 years.

--

2. The owner is retiring (not running).

This is my sweet spot.

I love buying from Boomers who built solid businesses but are ready to step back.

Red flag: Owners "escaping" a sinking ship.
Green flag: Owners who truly want to retire.

--

3. There's an existing general manager.

If I have to run daily operations…

I'm buying myself a job.

So, I always look for businesses that either have management in place, or are in a place where we can easily hire someone.

--

4. It passes the "Fax Machine Test."

This is my favorite filter.

If they still use fax machines, outdated websites, or paper-only systems…

That's pure gold.

It means I can add immediate value through simple tech upgrades.

--

5. The business is recession-resistant.

I stick to essentials people can't live without:

• HVAC (people need heating/cooling)
• Plumbing (pipes will always break)
• Accounting (taxes aren't optional)

Avoid luxury services that disappear when times get tough.

--

6. Revenue is recurring (not project-based).

One-time sales are stressful.

Monthly recurring revenue is beautiful.

I want businesses where customers pay regularly:

• Monthly service agreements
• Maintenance contracts
• Subscription tiers

--

7. The cash flow covers debt service + GM salary + my take.

Simple math:

If the business makes $30k/month, I need to see:

• $5k for my investor (if used)
• $12k for loan payments
• $6k for GM salary
• $7k for me

If the numbers don't work, I walk.

--

8. It's boring and unsexy.

I avoid "exciting" businesses.

The more boring, the better:

• Waste management
• Storage facilities
• Laundromats

Boring = Predictable.

--

9. The financials are clean and consistent.

I want to see 3 years of steady (or growing) profits.

No wild fluctuations.
No creative accounting.

Just boring, predictable cash flow.

--

10. I understand the business model completely.

If I can't explain how they make money in 2 sentences, I pass.

Why?

Because complex businesses have complex problems.

You need to be an absolute expert in this business, but you MUST understand the model.

--

These 10 filters have helped me acquire 7 businesses that now pay me $836k/year.

Most deals fail at least 3 of these criteria.

The ones that pass all 10?

Those are the deals that change your life.

--

If you want to learn how to find and acquire boring businesses using little to no money down…

DM me “Biz” & I’ll show you how.

This book changed my life.

It helped me:

• Escape the 9-5
• Buy boring businesses
• Have more time for my family

Here are my 10 favorite takeaways:

--

1) Leverage the existing assets.

The business you acquire should already have some infrastructure to it.

You can leverage the:

• Existing customer base
• Brand reputation
• Employees

This is vital for growth and longevity.

--

2) Think like an entrepreneur.

By building a portfolio of businesses, you could be considered an "investor."

But you need to think like an entrepreneur.

After you buy the business:

You need to keep it afloat.
You need to see opportunities.
You need to make improvements.

--

3) Focus on the cash flow.

Cash flow is a critical indicator of the financial health of a company.

The more the merrier.

If you can dial in the systems and delegate, you can earn cash flow on autopilot.

I am now a big fan of delegation.

--

4) Always do your due diligence.

The less research you do for an acquisition, the more stressful it will be.

If you don't uncover hidden:

• Bottlenecks
• Liabilities
• Issues

You're sabotaging yourself.

Trust me, the upfront hassle is worth it.

--

5) Take advantage of strategic financing.

There are many ways to buy a business.

• Seller financing
• Traditional loans
• Using an investor

The more creative you can be (within the limits of the law), the better.

Creative financing is a skill (learn it).

--

6) Maintain a long-term perspective.

Although you can build wealth quite quickly, you should still think long-term.

This strategy is very powerful.

And if you're in it for the long haul, you can build legitimate generational wealth.

Take the high ground and go for it.

--

7) Strengthen the staff.

If you don't want to be tied to your acquisition, hire amazing employees.

Delegation is vital.

If the business is "owner-operated," just know what you're about to walk into.

That's part of the due diligence.

--

8) Develop elite negotiation skills.

Closing deals is a skill.

The better deal you get from day 1, the more money you'll make overall.

You want the best deal possible, right?

So study negotiation.

--

9) Startups are too risky.

To go and start your own business, you're looking at a <10% success rate.

But buying a business that's up and running?

With existing cash flow.
With proof of concept.
With an existing staff.

That seems a lot safer (it is).

--

10) Develop an exit strategy.

While you do want to keep a long-term perspective, you also want an exit plan.

You can shut it down totally.
You can sell the businesses.
You can pass them down.

I recommend the latter two options.

But everyone's different.

--

This book truly did change my life.

After working 60 hours/week at JP Morgan, I just couldn't keep living that lifestyle.

And now?

My portfolio does ~$7M/year in annual revenue.

If you want to learn how to do the same...

DM me "Biz" and I'll show you how.

No alternative text description for this image

Why would you start a business from scratch in 2025?

• My Accounting Firm pays me $5k/month
• I bought 2 trucks making $5k/month
• My SaaS pays me $10k/month

The craziest part?

I’ve acquired 7 businesses in total.

Here's how you can do the same (with little to $0 down):

--

SMBmarket(.)com will be your best friend.

It has tons of listings for owners who are looking to sell their small businesses.

The listings will mention:

• SDE
• FF&E
• EBIDTA

–

Search for a business making $10K+/mo in cash flow & has been profitable for >5 years.

🔍 SMBmarket(.)com → Search: *Your Area* / Service Businesses → Price filter = $500k to $1M → More Filters → Cashflow = Min. $10k.

--

Some businesses to look at:

• Financial Services
• Pool Cleaning
• Laundromat
• Plumbing
• HVAC

Before starting the buying process…

–

Determine your goal.

For me, I hire a GM who runs day-to-day while I focus on increasing cash flow.

Some people enjoy working day-to-day.

--

You shouldn't make any offers until you've secured your financing options.

There are 4 financing options:

• Buying with your own cash
• SBA loan
• Private investor
• Seller financing

You can use multiple methods or just one.

–

When speaking to lenders (banks/investors)...

1) Position yourself as a "safe" bet.
2) Tell them the type of business you want to acquire & why.
3) Bring your last 3 years of tax returns & W2 pay stubs.
4) Prepare a statement that lists your assets & liabilities.

If you can do these things...

You'll be ahead of 99% of borrowers.

--

You'll want the tax returns & P&Ls from the last 3 years.

Profit should be increasing steadily and P&Ls should be relatively consistent with no crazy fluctuations.

Pro Tip:

Hire an accountant to audit the numbers.

–

They can review these KPIs too:

• SDE (Seller discretionary earnings)
• EBIDTA (Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization)
• FF&E (Furniture, fixtures & equipment)

Essentially, this means...

→ Total profit
→ Cash flow
→ Movable assets

--

For making an offer...

Take the average SDE from the last 3 years (ex: $450k)

Multiply it by 2.5x = $1,125,000 and round down to $1,000,000 (that's your starting offer).

–

We can purchase this for $0 down by talking to our SBA lender & asking for the business to be qualified on the 7a program.

This allows us to get a private investor to cover the down payment, so we're $0 out of pocket.

Let me explain...

--

You give a private investor 15% equity & in return, they pay the 10% down payment.

In effect, they’re getting an extra 5% equity for nothing.

On a $450k/yr business...

Your investor makes $5,250/mo passively, which is a 57% CoC return annually.

–

But you still cash flow $29k/mo...

→ Hire a General Manager ($5k/mo)
→ Your salary ($10k/mo)
→ $14k/mo for the business to grow

Congratulations!

You now own a small business.

–

If you want to learn exactly how you can acquire a boring business for yourself...

DM me "Biz" & I'll show you how.

7 Steps to Get Rich From The World's Largest Wealth Transfer:

1. Understand the Silver Tsunami:

• 75 million Baby Boomers are retiring by 2030
• They own 37% of all small businesses in America
• 10,000 Boomers retire every single day
• Most have no succession plan and just want out

2. Target Boring, Recession-Proof Industries:

• HVAC, plumbing, and accounting stay profitable in downturns
• Laundromats and car washes print money regardless
• People always need these services no matter what

3. Find Deals on SMBmarket:

• Search for $500k-$1M asking price
• Look for $10k+ monthly cash flow
• Must be profitable for 5+ years
• Filter for service-based businesses with existing teams

4. Finance 90% With an SBA Loan:

• The government backs these loans for business acquisition
• Banks love lending on established, cash-flowing businesses
• Bring 3 years of tax returns and explain your plan
• This is safer for banks than startup capital

5. Cover the 10% Down With OPM:

• Find a private investor to put up the down payment
• Give them 15% equity in return (win-win structure)
• They get passive returns without running the business
• You put in $0 of your own money at closing

6. Hire a GM to Run Daily Operations:

• Pay them $60k-$80k/year to handle everything
• Your role is strategy and growth, not day-to-day tasks
• Most retiring Boomers already have a manager in place
• This lets you stack multiple businesses over time

7. Use Cash Flow to Pay Everyone Back:

• Business revenue covers loan payments automatically
• Investor gets their 15% cut every month
• GM gets their salary
• You keep the rest while working <20 hours/week

--

If you want to learn more about how you can buy a boring business with little to $0 down...

DM me "Biz" and I'll show you how.

When I told my parents and colleagues I was quitting...

They thought I was crazy.

Leaving behind a job I’d worked so hard to get.

At a company that millions of people dream of working for because of its name.

But the truth is...

I “fell” for the American Dream.

I thought I wanted a shiny title, work travel, and the ability to climb the corporate ladder for 6 figures a year.

But in reality?

I just wanted enough time to spend with my family and money to fund our lifestyle without sacrificing my happiness.

I’d already started investing in businesses before I quit, so I had already replaced my income (and more) before taking the risk to leave.

This is my biggest piece of advice:

Try to work a job AND buy a business.

Once your business income replaces your salary, then quit.

Today, my business income is well over what my salary at JP Morgan was, and in fact, I’m earning a similar amount to most hedge fund managers.

But, I would never have quit before I had a steady income that would protect me and my family’s financial situation.

That’s why it’s more than possible to buy a business while working your W-2, and it’s why you also SHOULD do that.

--

If you want to learn more about how to buy a boring business that gives more time AND money freedom...

DM me "Biz" and I'll show you how

I haven't had a 9 to 5 in 4 years.

Why?

Because I own 7 boring businesses that pay me $800,000+ per year.

You can do the same (if you start now).

Let me show you how:

--

Step 1: Make a target list.

Head to SMBmarket(.com) & build a list of 20-30 businesses that you like.

Use these filters:

• 5+ years in business
• Service-based (no retail)
• Min. $10k/month cash flow
• Recession-resistant industries

--

Step 2: Start making calls.

Call every seller on your list.

Ask these questions:

• Why are you selling?
• How involved are you daily?
• What's your biggest challenge?
• Who runs things when you're away?

Good reasons to buy: Retirement, divorce, health etc.

--

Step 3: Build your A+ team.

You want 2 key people:

1. An M&A accountant to audit financials (offer 2.5% equity instead of paying cash upfront).
2. An industry professional who can assess operations (also 2.5% equity).

This team will pay for itself by catching red flags.

--

Step 4: Verify the numbers.

Request 3 years of:

• Tax returns
• Balance sheets
• P&L statements

Your accountant will check for:

• Reasonable owner compensation
• No suspicious expense spikes
• Consistent/growing revenue

You want to see steady cash flow of $200k-$400k annually over multiple years.

--

Step 5: Start your SBA pre-approval.

Contact these banks that specialize in small business loans:

• Truliant
• Huntington
• Live Oak Bank

Bring 3 years of W-2s and tax returns, plus a personal financial statement.

--

Step 6: Structure your offer.

Take the average yearly cash flow (SDE) and multiply by 2-4x.

Example: Business makes $300k/year → Offer $700k-$900k.

Then finance it like this:

• SBA loan covers 85-90% ($630k-$810k)
• Private investor covers 10% ($70k-$90k)
• You pay 0-5% out of pocket

Give your investor 15% equity for putting up that 10%.

--

Step 7: Execute due diligence.

You typically have 30-45 days before closing.

Your team should verify:

• Lease terms & transferability
• Employee turnover rates
• Equipment condition
• Customer retention
• Any legal issues

--

Step 8: Plan your first 90 days.

Before you close, map out exactly what you'll do:

Days 1-30:

• Transfer bank accounts & insurance
• Meet every employee personally
• Change passwords & access

Days 31-60:

• Identify quick wins
• Document all systems

Days 61-90:

• Hire or promote a GM
• Implement 1-2 improvements

--

The math on a $1M purchase:

• Business cash flow: $300k/year
• SBA loan payment: $100k/year
• Investor's 15% cut: $30k/year
• GM salary: $72k/year

You keep: $98k/year

That's $8,166/month for an asset someone else operates.

--

If you want to learn more about the process I’ve used to build my portfolio of businesses generating $7M/year in revenue…

DM me “Biz” & I’ll show you how.

What is the ultimate recession-proof business?

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