What if every business problem—whether it’s a lack of cash flow, resources, or room to grow—could be solved by buying another business? And what if the price or your current finances didn’t have to hold you back?
On this episode of the Buying Online Business podcast, host Jaryd Krause talks with Tom Shipley, a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and expert in mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Tom has built brands that generated over $2 billion in sales and raised more than $100 million for business acquisitions. He is also the co-founder and CEO of Ava, a company that specializes in helping businesses grow through acquisitions.
In their conversation, Tom shares how he got started in acquisitions, including his first deal, which helped him triple his business in a short time. He explains when acquisitions make sense, when they don’t, and how to avoid deals that might drain a business’s resources.
Listeners will also hear about:
- Simple strategies for financing and structuring deals, even with limited cash.
- How to avoid overpaying or putting too much strain on a business.
- Key steps in due diligence to ensure a deal is a good fit.
This episode is full of practical tips for anyone who wants to use programmatic M&A to solve problems and grow their business.
Episode Highlights
02:00 Tom’s journey before diving into Tech M&A
10:45 Knowing seller’s intention is the key
19:00 Be careful of deals that are too good to be true
28:00 Communication is crucial in deals
40: Where to find Tom?
Key Takeaways
➥ Even businesses with limited cash flow can acquire larger companies through financing strategies like seller financing, debt structuring, and rolling over equity. The key is to underwrite the acquired business's cash flow and growth potential, not just the buyer's current financial state.
➥ Understanding why a seller is exiting allows for deal structures that benefit both parties, such as monthly payouts instead of lump sums, offering tax advantages and a smoother transition.
➥ Leaders should seek "force multipliers" like acquisitions and AI to achieve disproportionate results with fewer resources. These tools can give businesses an edge in competitive markets.
About The Guest
Tom Shipley is a serial entrepreneur, ecommerce investor, strategic advisor, speaker and M&A expert.
His brands have generated over $2B in sales, are household names and he's raised more than $100M for acquisitions.
Right now Tom is the co-founder & CEO of AVA—Agency Ventures Aggregator—and focuses on programmatic M&A.
Connect with Tom Shipley
➥ https://dealconlive.com/
➥ https://www.linkedin.com/in/t-shipley/
Resource Links
➥ Sell your business to us here: https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/sell-your-business/
➥ Buying Online Businesses Website - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com
➥ Download the Due Diligence Framework: https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/freeresources/
➥ Site Ground (Website Hosting) - https://bit.ly/3JBEC1u
➥ Surfer SEO (SEO tool for content writing) - https://bit.ly/3WWMKjM
➥ Convert Kit (Email Software Provider) - https://bit.ly/3o10Xgx
🔥 Buy & Sell Online Businesses Here (Top Website Brokers We Use) 🔥
➥ Empire Flippers - https://bit.ly/3RtyMkE
➥ Flippa - https://bit.ly/3WYX0Ve
➥ Motion Invest - https://bit.ly/3YmJAmO
➥ Investors Club - https://bit.ly/3ZpgioR
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