241. Buying "Boring" Businesses and the Secret Goldmine of Acquisition With Chris Hillier

Did you know that buying a business can be a smarter path to success than starting one from scratch? In this episode, host Brien Gearin is joined by Chris Hillier, an entrepreneur and adjunct professor at the University of Denver, to break down the search fund model — a unique way for aspiring business owners to secure funding while searching for the right company to acquire. Chris shares his journey from building businesses in healthcare and brokerage to helping entrepreneurs navigate acquisitions. We explore financing options, key traits of successful searchers, and why boring businesses can be the best investments. Whether you're new to business ownership or looking for creative ways to scale, this episode is packed with actionable insights and expert advice to help you make your next move! What we discuss with Chris: + Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA): A lower-risk path to business ownership + Search Fund Model: Investors fund entrepreneurs to acquire and run businesses + Acquisition Financing: SBA loans, seller financing, and investor-backed deals + Ideal Acquisition Targets: Profitable businesses with recurring revenue + Role of a CEO: Skills needed to successfully take over a business + Boomer-Owned Businesses: Growing opportunities as owners retire + Getting Started: How to find and vet businesses + ETA vs. Startups: Key differences and advantages + Scaling with Acquisitions: Building a portfolio through multiple purchases + Boring Businesses = Profits: Why overlooked industries can be goldmines Thank you, Chris! Follow Chris on LinkedIn. Email Chris at [email protected]. Watch the video podcast of this episode! And follow us on: Instagram Facebook Tik Tok Youtube Twitter To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors. Want to hear from more incredible entrepreneurs? Check out all of our interviews here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I interview Garret Kruger of the I Know Dino podcast on how he and his wife Sabrina have created a business talking about dinosaurs! You heard that right. Garret and Sabrina were able to quit their well-paying day jobs after creating a podcast where they talk about something they both love! In this episode, we talk about how Garret and Sabrina have grown and monetized their podcast and how you can start to grow and monetize your own podcast. We also discuss some things to consider before starting a podcast. Whether or not you have or want to start a podcast you'll find plenty of gold nuggets in this episode! (Original Air Date - 6/29/23) What we discuss with Garret: + Introduction and Overview + The Power of Passion in Business + Interview with Garrett Kruger: The Dinosaur Podcast + The Journey of 'I Know Dino' Podcast + Rekindling Childhood Love for Dinosaurs + The Role of Pop Culture in Dinosaur Interest + The Love Story Behind 'I Know Dino' + The Power of Internet in Niche Interests + The Journey from Love to Business + Transitioning from Jobs to Full-Time Podcasting + The Birth of 'I Know Dino' Podcast + The Importance of Passion in Podcasting + The Role of Podcasting in Business Growth + The Process of Starting a Podcast + The Importance of Editing in Podcasting + Choosing the Right Hosting Platform for Podcast + Monetization and Growth in Podcasting + The Importance of Consistency in Podcasting + The Importance of Growth and Monetization + Strategies for Growing and Monetizing a Podcast + Leveraging Collaborations and Partnerships for Growth + Using Freebies and Added Value to Attract Listeners + The Power of Exponential Growth in Podcasting + Monetizing Your Podcast: Advertising and Sponsorships + Finding and Working with Advertisers + Exploring Other Monetization Methods: Patreon and Merch + The Future of Podcasting and Final Thoughts For more information go to MillionaireUniversity.com To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to MillionaireUniversity.com/training. And follow us on: Instagram Facebook Tik Tok Youtube Twitter To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors. Want to hear from more incredible entrepreneurs? Check out all of our interviews here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ready to discover the secret behind a business that practically runs itself? In this fifth and final installment of our special series featuring Module 8 of the Build My Money Machine program, we bring everything together with a behind-the-scenes look at how Millionaire University operates today. From the strategies driving our growth to the powerful concept of "money buckets," this episode offers a detailed blueprint for scaling a business in 2025. Discover the leverage points that transformed our podcast into a sustainable income stream and learn actionable steps to build your own money machine. If you missed any previous episodes in the series, go back to Parts 1 through 4 for foundational principles that build up to this finale. Eager to take the leap and create your own entrepreneurial success story? Let’s get to work! What Justin discusses on today's episode: + Millionaire University’s growth strategy + The "money buckets" framework + Leveraging people, systems, and processes + Focusing on one key area (F.O.C.U.S.) + Lessons from failures and adaptation + Sponsorships, collaborations, and promotion + Podcast profitability and scaling + Untapped opportunities: ads and promotions + Future growth ideas and revenue streams + Building a money machine is worth it Watch the video podcast of this episode! Ready to create a 7-figure business of your own? Go to BuildMyMoneyMachine.com to get started today! And follow us on: Instagram Facebook Tik Tok Youtube Twitter To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors. Want to hear from more incredible entrepreneurs? Check out all of our interviews here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it take to adapt traditional business principles to thrive in the digital age? In this fourth installment of our special five-part series on Module 8 of the Build My Money Machine program, we explore how Justin and Tara transitioned from traditional business ventures to the online space, culminating in the creation of Millionaire University. Learn how they applied their money machine principles to build sustainable online income streams, the challenges they faced, and the lessons they learned. This episode is packed with practical advice for leveraging systems, processes, and technology to scale a business in 2025. If you haven’t already, catch up on Parts 1 through 3 for foundational insights, and be sure to tune in for the series finale! What Justin discusses on today's episode: + Transitioning to digital business + Adapting money machine principles + Scaling a real estate business + Leveraging systems, people, and money + Overcoming challenges and setbacks + Staying within the genius zone + Impact of podcasting on growth + Building and scaling with software + Balancing risks and strategy + Scaling businesses for 2025 success Watch the video podcast of this episode! Ready to create a 7-figure business of your own? Go to BuildMyMoneyMachine.com to get started today! And follow us on: Instagram Facebook Tik Tok Youtube Twitter To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors. Want to hear from more incredible entrepreneurs? Check out all of our interviews here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the key to scaling your business is hidden in learning how not to repeat others' mistakes? In this third installment of our special five-part series featuring Module 8 of the Build My Money Machine program, we explore the transformative power of leverage in business. Drawing from hard-earned lessons and real stories — from satellite businesses to real estate ventures — we uncover the key mistakes to avoid and the strategies that can truly scale your business. Learn how to leverage time, people, and resources effectively, and discover how even small service businesses can become seven-figure opportunities with the right approach. If you missed Parts 1 and 2, start there for the foundational elements of creating your money machine. Stay tuned for Part 4, where Justin reveals how he and Tara adapted these principles to thrive in the digital age! What Justin discusses on today's episode: + Leveraging time, people, and resources + Avoiding costly business mistakes + Scaling through real-life examples + Vetting and structuring partnerships + Prioritizing revenue over expenses + Testing and pivoting strategies + Applying principles to service industries + Building sustainable business systems + Learning through failure and adaptation + Executing proven growth strategies Watch the video podcast of this episode! Ready to create a 7-figure business of your own? Go to BuildMyMoneyMachine.com to get started today! And follow us on: Instagram Facebook Tik Tok Youtube Twitter To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors. Want to hear from more incredible entrepreneurs? Check out all of our interviews here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the only thing standing between you and entrepreneurial success is the courage to take imperfect action? In this second installment of our special five-part series, we dive deeper into Module 8 of the Build My Money Machine program. Picking up where we left off, this episode focuses on one of the most critical aspects of entrepreneurial success: selling and promoting your product or service. Learn why taking quick, imperfect action is more valuable than waiting for perfection, and discover practical strategies to test, adapt, and refine your approach. We'll explore real-world examples, highlight lessons learned from failures, and provide actionable tips you can apply immediately. If you missed Part 1, be sure to listen back and start from the beginning. And don’t miss the next episode, where we’ll reveal how to leverage key resources to build momentum and scale your business! What Justin discusses on today's episode: + Take quick, imperfect action + Fail forward to success + Test and refine strategies + Use a minimum viable product + Learn from successful competitors + Real-world sales examples + Embrace failure as growth + Adapt to customer needs + Build traction before scaling + Preview: leveraging for growth Watch the video podcast of this episode! Ready to create a 7-figure business of your own? Go to BuildMyMoneyMachine.com to get started today! And follow us on: Instagram Facebook Tik Tok Youtube Twitter To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors. Want to hear from more incredible entrepreneurs? Check out all of our interviews here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to know the secret to turning your business idea into a reliable, money-making machine? In this episode, we kick off a special five-part series featuring Module 8 of our Build My Money Machine program. This transformative module, aptly named after the program itself, is designed to strip away the complexity of starting and growing a business. In Part 1, we break down why most business advice is overly complicated and how to focus on the core elements that truly drive success. Learn why traditional education hasn’t prepared us for entrepreneurship and discover a straightforward framework to build your very own "money machine." Tune in and take the first step toward creating systems that generate wealth and freedom in your entrepreneurial journey. Don’t miss the next episode, where we’ll dive into selling and promoting — two essential yet often overlooked steps to success! What Justin discusses on today's episode: + Introduction to the five-part series + Overcomplication in business advice + Traditional education’s shortcomings for entrepreneurs + The "money machine" concept explained + Action over perfection in starting + Start with what you know + Avoiding overwhelm from others’ successes + Building systems for repeatable success + Shifting mindsets for entrepreneurship + Preview of Part 2: selling and promoting Watch the video podcast of this episode! Ready to create a 7-figure business of your own? Go to BuildMyMoneyMachine.com to get started today! And follow us on: Instagram Facebook Tik Tok Youtube Twitter To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors. Want to hear from more incredible entrepreneurs? Check out all of our interviews here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unlock the power of quiz marketing to attract leads, gain insights, and skyrocket your sales! In this episode, host Kirsten Tyrrel is joined by Maxwell Nee, Chief Revenue Officer at ScoreApp, an AI-powered quiz marketing platform. Maxwell shares his journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship, offering insights on building resilience, finding alignment, and the power of mentorship. We dive deep into quiz marketing, exploring how it’s revolutionizing lead generation and client engagement. Maxwell also discusses the importance of knowing yourself to avoid burnout and optimize success. If you're looking for actionable strategies to scale your business or inspiration from a seasoned entrepreneur, this episode is packed with valuable lessons! What we discuss with Maxwell: + Transition from corporate to entrepreneurship + Grit and lessons from university + How quiz marketing works + AI-powered quiz creation with ScoreApp + Value of mentorship in business + Strategies to avoid burnout + Targeting future buyers effectively + Importance of knowing your work style + Emotional appeal of quizzes + Free Scorecard Marketing Book offer Thank you, Maxwell! Check out ScoreApp at ScoreApp.com. Get the free Scorecard Marketing Book. Follow Maxwell on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Watch the video podcast of this episode! And follow us on: Instagram Facebook Tik Tok Youtube Twitter To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors. Want to hear from more incredible entrepreneurs? Check out all of our interviews here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I talk with Devyn Ricks on how she makes money playing and teaching video games through a platform called Outschool and how you can use Outschool to make money teaching and connecting kids with something you're passionate about! (Original Air Date - 6/26/23) What we discuss with Devyn: + Introduction and Personal Anecdote + Discovering OutSchool and Teaching Video Games + Interview with Devin Riggs: Making Money Playing Video Games + Devin's Journey into Video Game Teaching + The Structure and Impact of Devin's Classes + Expanding the Business: Hiring More Teachers + The Economics of OutSchool Teaching + The Importance of Branding and Safety in OutSchool + Exploring Other Opportunities on OutSchool + The Benefits of Starting on OutSchool vs. Your Own Platform + Building a Brand Beyond OutSchool + Final Thoughts and Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs + Conclusion: The Potential of Passion-Driven Entrepreneurship For more information go to MillionaireUniversity.com To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to MillionaireUniversity.com/training. And follow us on: Instagram Facebook Tik Tok Youtube Twitter To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors. Want to hear from more incredible entrepreneurs? Check out all of our interviews here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to break free from the 9-to-5 grind and build a sustainable, passive income stream? In this episode, Brien Gearin is joined by Dustin Heiner, CEO of Master Passive Income, who shares his journey to financial independence through real estate investing. Dustin explains how he transitioned from a secure government job to creating a six-figure passive income by investing in real estate. He delves into the importance of building a business first, finding the right experts, and leveraging systems to generate truly passive income. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting out, Dustin's insights will help you unlock the power of real estate for financial freedom! What we discuss with Dustin: + Dustin’s journey from government job to real estate investor + Active income vs. passive income + Build the real estate business first + Scaling from one property to 30+ + Importance of hiring the right property manager + Start with simple, cash-flowing properties + Creative financing options for real estate + Focus on cash flow, not appreciation + Higher interest rates benefit cash flow investors + Passive income mindset for financial freedom Thank you, Dustin! Check out Master Passive Income at MasterPassiveIncome.com. Get Dustin's free course at MasterPassiveIncome.com/freecourse or text RENTAL to 33777. Listen to The Master Passive Income Podcast. Follow Dustin on Instagram. Watch the video podcast of this episode! And follow us on: Instagram Facebook Tik Tok Youtube Twitter To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors. Want to hear from more incredible entrepreneurs? Check out all of our interviews here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices