425 - Can You Do This?

What are you willing to give up for the success you say you want? In "Can You Do This?", Bruce Whipple explains the "pay price to action" for business acquisition mentees: making time to learn the process, taking external action, seeking experienced board members and advisors, and accepting the discomfort of growth. Bruce discusses self-image, self-esteem, keeping commitments, and persevering with judgment. He also explains why a failed attempt becomes valuable only when you learn from it and adjust. The episode closes with a practical assignment to turn your acquisition goal into a specific action with a deadline. To Your Success, Bruce

Are you already telling yourself you'll get serious about buying a business in January? You still have time to make meaningful progress this year. In this episode, I cover three practical steps business acquisition mentees can take now: clarify what you're looking for, schedule consistent acquisition activity, and follow up with owners. The goal is to build momentum while staying disciplined enough to walk away from the wrong deal. Group coaching opens next week. If you need more structure and accountability, consider whether it is the right next step for you. So watch your inbox for the announcement. To Your Success, Bruce

Why I'm Still Doing This at 73? The cold weather is back in Maine, the leaves have fallen, and I've been reflecting on why I continue mentoring at 73. One answer is Gabriel. Since we met in August 2019, he's grown to 70 locations, is pursuing a deal that could nearly double his revenue, and he and his wife just welcomed their third child. Seeing mentees change their lives is what keeps me going. In this episode, I share why that progress matters to me, why your next step matters even if you're just getting started, and three words to remember when adversity hits: Work the problem. We'll be opening group coaching soon. If you're interested and want to learn more, visit https://brucewhipple.com/groupcoaching and watch your email for the opening announcement. To Your Success,   Bruce

Play Chess, Not Checkers A quick email can create a problem that one thoughtful question might have prevented. In this episode, Bruce Whipple shares two mentee examples: a seller discussion complicated by proposing options before understanding the seller's priorities, and an acquisition opportunity dismissed for missing a board's growth requirement without adequately examining the underlying facts. Learn why sensitive conversations often belong on Zoom or the phone, how to question assumptions constructively, and why experienced guidance is most valuable before you act. Ask before assuming. Think beyond your next move. Use the experience around you. Interested in the Tuesday 11:30 a.m. Eastern VIP Mastermind group? Review the program and its financial and time commitments at BruceWhipple.com, then call Bruce at 203-257-6407 to discuss whether it is a fit.

Boards Govern, But You Must Lead Your board brings experience, oversight, and accountability. You still have a responsibility to think, question, and lead. In this episode, I discuss a mentee who presented an acquisition opportunity with more than $2 million in revenue and a reported 50% EBITDA margin. It missed his board's requirement for 5% annual revenue growth. Was that enough to dismiss it, or did the opportunity deserve further investigation? I also share why another VIP member declined to appoint a chairman candidate who wanted to pursue large acquisitions before the mentee was ready. Learn why acquisition criteria need a clear purpose, how to challenge assumptions with evidence, and how to distinguish healthy board disagreement from a fundamental conflict over strategy. Respect your board's experience. Bring the facts. Make your case. You cannot outsource your judgment. Keep Pushing. To Your Success, Bruce Whipple

How much is your word really worth? Integrity is easy when honoring a commitment is convenient. The true test comes when circumstances change and keeping your promise becomes difficult, expensive, or no longer fits your plans. In this podcast, Bruce Whipple discusses a situation involving someone who made a clear written commitment and later attempted to end it because his priorities had changed. Bruce explains the difference between requesting a mutually agreed modification and unilaterally deciding that a commitment no longer applies. You will also learn why your reputation may be worth far more than the money you save by breaking an agreement, and why sellers, investors, lenders, board members, and business partners will judge you by what you do when keeping your word costs you something.

Try Again, But Do It Differently! If you tried to buy a business before and failed, that doesn't mean the process cannot work for you. Bruce shares a personal lesson from his recent AFib diagnosis. After initially receiving a cardiology appointment for December 24th, he followed up, asked questions, explored alternatives, and requested to be notified of a cancellation. The next day, his appointment was moved to October 1st. Remember "Never Ask, Never Get!" The lesson is simple: When your why is strong enough, you keep looking for another path. In this episode, Bruce explains how to determine whether the business acquisition process is credible, why no mentor can guarantee your results, and why trying again requires more than repeating the same actions. You must return with better knowledge, stronger motivation, and an improved approach. Learn more about the Acquisition Advantage Boot Camp and VIP Mastermind at BruceWhipple.com. Working in business and a life that leaves people better than I found them. Bruce Whipple

Why would Bruce Whipple turn someone down for his highest level business acquisition mentoring program? Because admission to the VIP Mastermind is not automatic. Bruce personally speaks with every prospective member to determine whether the program and the individual are a strong fit. In this episode, Bruce explains how weekly group mentoring, monthly private coaching, measurable execution commitments, live deal problem-solving, and collaboration among serious business acquisition mentees have helped members acquire businesses, structure seller-financed transactions, and improve their outreach. The next two-day VIP training takes place September 23 and 24. It may still be possible for the right person to participate, but acceptance is required. Review the details at BruceWhipple.com/VIPMastermind.

What separates people who talk about acquiring a business from those who eventually become business owners? It is not intelligence, education, or having a perfect plan. It is the willingness to take disciplined, measurable, external action. In this episode, Bruce Whipple explains why invisible work can feel productive without producing progress, how education can become a respectable hiding place, why confidence follows action, and how a strong why and consistent discipline help successful acquirers continue through rejection. You will also learn how to create execution commitments that are external, numeric, controllable, and limited to one week. Do not merely consume another piece of content. Choose one action that another person can see or respond to, and complete it today.

Most aspiring business acquirers do not have an information problem. They have an execution problem. In this episode, I explain why the VIP Mastermind helps serious acquirers move forward. Its effectiveness comes from measurable weekly commitments, honest accountability, experienced coaching, live deal problem-solving, and a community of people pursuing the same objective. You will also hear how one mentee replaced an unsuccessful campaign of 110 generic letters with five highly personalized letters and received three responses within 48 hours. The objective is not simply to buy a business. It is to acquire the right business, at the right price, with a structure that makes sense. Learn more at BruceWhipple.com/VIPMastermind.