“You can’t let fear paralyze you - our heads are our biggest enemy”

Happy Friday!

Earlier this week I told you about Rodrigo, a Turo entrepreneur who put both of his houses on the line with a newborn at home, almost walked away from the deal when the bank’s collateral requirements arrived, and closed anyway.

One year later he’s generating $200K+ in profit on top of a $96K salary.

Today, you’ll get his top 3 lessons from the deal, and access to our conversation where he shared the crazy story of how he closed. 👇

Before we get to Rodrigo’s biggest lessons, here’s a success spotlight on one of our community members.

Zachary closed on a $4.5M medical practice with 100% financing after joining Acquisition Ace.

Zachary got hands-on guidance through diligence, negotiations, and structuring, and ended up making a great deal.

👉 Want responsive support when you're evaluating and structuring deals? Book a call with our team here. Book a call with our team here.

“You can’t let fear paralyze you. Our heads are our biggest enemy. If you’re able to push through those bad mental moments, you’re going to get it.”

That’s what Rodrigo told me a year after closing on a 32-year-old mechanic shop he had no prior experience running, and saying he’d do it all over again without hesitation.

3 key takeaways from our conversation

1. Let your lender help shape your search

Rodrigo originally wanted an electrical or plumbing company. His lender suggested he look at automotive businesses given his Turo background.

That pivot led directly to the deal he closed.

Your lender’s perspective on where you’ll be most financeable is worth taking seriously.

(Rodrigo’s lender pointed him toward the automotive space based on his Turo background, a direction that led directly to this deal. Inside Acquisition Ace, members get connected with experienced lenders who help shape their search criteria. If you’d like to learn more about how our community of deal makers could help with your first deal, book a call with our team here and let’s talk.)

2. Clean books are huge

Rodrigo wrapped due diligence in under a month - almost unheard of for a sub-$5M deal.

The reason: the seller had genuinely clean books with no personal expenses mixed in, no inflated add-backs, and financials that matched exactly what was represented.

When you find a deal like that, move fast.

3. Identify your key person on day one

Rodrigo’s foreman had been a mechanic for 30 years.

From the moment he took over, Rodrigo leaned on him heavily - for operational knowledge, for credibility with the rest of the team, and for keeping things running while he got up to speed.

Finding and protecting that person early is one of the most important things a new owner can do.

This week’s action item

Pull up your pre-qualification status with an SBA lender, or take the first step toward getting one if you haven’t yet.

Bring your last three years of tax returns, recent pay stubs, and a personal financial statement.

Knowing your real buying power before you fall in love with a deal changes how you search and how seriously brokers take you.

To hear the full story of how Rodrigo found, negotiated, and closed this deal despite nearly walking away at the finish line…

Watch our full interview here.

Onward,

— Ben Kelly

P.S. Rodrigo said Acquisition Ace gave him everything he needed, but was clear that the tools only work if you do.

He was on calls constantly, submitting deals for review, and putting in the hours.

If you’re ready to put in that same effort with the right support behind you…

👉 Book a call with our team to see how the Acquisition Ace community could help with closing your first business.