How Business Brokers Make Money: Spread vs Commission Model Explained

In this episode the hosts uncover a highly profitable niche manufacturing business in rural Virginia that produces patented thermal spray systems for aerospace and oilfield applications, sparking excitement over its recurring revenue, engineering moat, and massive growth potential.Business Listing – https://www.bizbuysell.com/business-opportunity/high-margin-industrial-equipment-manufacturer-70-gm-no-debt/2472503/Welcome to Acquisitions Anonymous – the #1 podcast for small business M&A. Every week, we break down businesses for sale and talk about buying, operating, and growing them.Looking to build a professional website in minutes? Try Wix: https://wix.pxf.io/c/6898629/3115214/25616?trafcat=templateHubSpot is the backbone for how businesses scale without chaos. Try them out here: https://go.try-hubspot.com/OeG9VrSubscribe for more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@AcquisitionsAnonymousPodcast?sub_confirmation=1Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.acquanon.com/newsletter💰 Sponsored by:Viso Business Capital — Get the right SBA loan tailored to your acquisition needs with Heather Endresen’s firm. Sign up for a free live Q&A on SBA loans at https://www.visocap.net and click “Zoom Sign Up” in the top-right corner.Acquisition Lab – Your fast-track to business ownership. Get hands-on support, world-class resources, and join a top-tier community of acquisition entrepreneurs. Schedule your free consultation at https://www.acquisitionlab.com and mention Acquisitions Anonymous!Key Highlights:- Patented thermal spray manufacturing business with aerospace and oilfield customers- 60–70% recurring revenue from installed systems, parts, and maintenance- $2.5M revenue and ~$1M EBITDA at roughly a 5x asking multiple- Strong engineering moat with patents valid through 2035 and 2037- Major growth opportunity through outbound sales and expanded distributionSubscribe to  weekly our Newsletter and get curated deals in your inboxAdvertise with us by clicking hereDo you love Acquanon and want to see our smiling faces? Subscribe to our Youtube channel.Do you enjoy our content? Rate our show!Follow us on Twitter @acquanon Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations.For inquiries or suggestions, email us at [email protected]

In this episode the hosts break down a wildly unconventional Shopify-focused business brokerage using a “spread-based” commission model, debating whether it’s a scalable innovation or just an overpriced job disguised as a business.Business Listing – https://mailchi.mp/websiteclosers/new-deal-alert-ma-digital-business-brokerage-shopify-ecommerce-store-sales-65-repeat-purchase-rate-100-organic-strong-community-reputation-gmfgmhkz201?e=42dc999128Welcome to Acquisitions Anonymous – the #1 podcast for small business M&A. Every week, we break down businesses for sale and talk about buying, operating, and growing them.Looking to build a professional website in minutes? Try Wix: https://wix.pxf.io/c/6898629/3115214/25616?trafcat=templateHubSpot is the backbone for how businesses scale without chaos. Try them out here: https://go.try-hubspot.com/OeG9VrSubscribe for more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@AcquisitionsAnonymousPodcast?sub_confirmation=1Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.acquanon.com/newsletter💰 Sponsored by:Quiet Light Brokerage specializes in helping entrepreneurs buy and sell businesses with experienced operators as brokers. They offer a free valuation clarity call to help owners understand what their business is worth and how to increase its value before selling. Learn more at https://quietlight.com/CapitalPad is a private equity co-investment group for lower middle market deals. Accredited investors invest in searcher and independent sponsor transactions on a deal-by-deal basis, with minimums starting at $25K. Acquisition entrepreneurs with a deal under LOI can raise equity through CapitalPad's single-SPV structure, closing with one partner and one wire. Raise capital or invest at https://capitalpad.comThis week on Acquisitions Anonymous, the hosts tackle one of the most meta deals they’ve ever reviewed: a business brokerage that specializes in selling Shopify and e-commerce businesses. The company claims over 230 completed deals, a 92–94% close rate, and an unusual monetization strategy where they earn a percentage of the “spread” above a seller’s expected valuation instead of charging traditional commissions. The asking price? A hefty $14.5 million.Key Highlights:- Shopify-focused brokerage claims 230+ completed deals and 85 closings in the last year alone- Unique “spread-based” pricing model replaces traditional broker commissions- Hosts discover inconsistencies between stated revenue, EBITDA, and transaction math- Debate over whether the business is scalable infrastructure or simply “buying a job”- Asking price of $14.5M sparks major skepticism from the panelSubscribe to  weekly our Newsletter and get curated deals in your inboxAdvertise with us by clicking hereDo you love Acquanon and want to see our smiling faces? Subscribe to our Youtube channel.Do you enjoy our content? Rate our show!Follow us on Twitter @acquanon Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations.For inquiries or suggestions, email us at [email protected]

In this episode the hosts break down a Southern California industrial automation equipment business whose niche customer base, unclear recurring revenue, and likely customer concentration risks turn what looks like a profitable manufacturing deal into a potential acquisition nightmare.Business Listing – https://www.bizbuysell.com/business-opportunity/industrial-and-automation-equipment-manufacturer/2443997/Welcome to Acquisitions Anonymous – the #1 podcast for small business M&A. Every week, we break down businesses for sale and talk about buying, operating, and growing them.Looking to build a professional website in minutes? Try Wix: https://wix.pxf.io/c/6898629/3115214/25616?trafcat=templateHubSpot is the backbone for how businesses scale without chaos. Try them out here: https://go.try-hubspot.com/OeG9VrSubscribe for more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@AcquisitionsAnonymousPodcast?sub_confirmation=1Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.acquanon.com/newsletter💰 Sponsored by:FRANZY - Thinking about buying a franchise instead of an independent business? FRANZY is a free platform built for acquisition-minded entrepreneurs who want to explore franchise ownership without broker bias. FRANZY matches you with franchise opportunities based on your capital, goals, and lifestyle—and includes free coaching from experienced franchise operators. If you're exploring ETA but want a structured, system-driven alternative, check out https://franzy.com/ Viso Business Capital — Get the right SBA loan tailored to your acquisition needs with Heather Endresen’s firm. Sign up for a free live Q&A on SBA loans at https://www.visocap.net and click “Zoom Sign Up” in the top-right corner.This week the Acquisitions Anonymous crew reviews a $2.6M industrial automation and system integration business based in Riverside, California. The company reportedly generates $2.1M in annual revenue and approximately $656K in seller’s discretionary earnings while serving manufacturers with custom automation systems, conveyor applications, aircraft windshield handling equipment, and proprietary aluminum framing products.Key Highlights:- Riverside, CA industrial automation business listed for $2.6M with $2.1M revenue and $656K SDE- Hosts suspect the “automation company” may actually function more like a machine shop- Potential customer concentration and project-based revenue create major transferability concerns- Discussion on how SBA lenders cap deal pricing and force acquisition discipline- Deep dive into QoE reports, accounting red flags, and why diligence matters before signing a personal guaranteeSubscribe to  weekly our Newsletter and get curated deals in your inboxAdvertise with us by clicking hereDo you love Acquanon and want to see our smiling faces? Subscribe to our Youtube channel.Do you enjoy our content? Rate our show!Follow us on Twitter @acquanon Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations.For inquiries or suggestions, email us at [email protected]

In this episode the hosts analyze a niche executive recruiting firm serving the printing, packaging, and paper industries, debating whether its deep relationships and proprietary network create a durable moat—or a dangerous key-man dependency.Special thanks to Tighe Burke with SRCH for joining us on today's pod! Check out more here: https://www.srchpartners.com/Business Listing – http://bizbuysell.com/business-opportunity/reputable-high-margin-executive-recruiting-company/2446959/Welcome to Acquisitions Anonymous – the #1 podcast for small business M&A. Every week, we break down businesses for sale and talk about buying, operating, and growing them.Looking to build a professional website in minutes? Try Wix: https://wix.pxf.io/c/6898629/3115214/25616?trafcat=templateHubSpot is the backbone for how businesses scale without chaos. Try them out here: https://go.try-hubspot.com/OeG9VrSubscribe for more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@AcquisitionsAnonymousPodcast?sub_confirmation=1Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.acquanon.com/newsletter💰 Sponsored by:CapitalPad is a private equity co-investment group for lower middle market deals. Accredited investors invest in searcher and independent sponsor transactions on a deal-by-deal basis, with minimums starting at $25K. Acquisition entrepreneurs with a deal under LOI can raise equity through CapitalPad's single-SPV structure, closing with one partner and one wire. Raise capital or invest at https://capitalpad.comAcquisition Lab – Your fast-track to business ownership. Get hands-on support, world-class resources, and join a top-tier community of acquisition entrepreneurs. Schedule your free consultation at https://www.acquisitionlab.com and mention Acquisitions Anonymous!The hosts break down a niche executive recruiting business focused on the printing, packaging, and paper industries. The company generates approximately $1.1M in annual revenue with $365K in seller discretionary earnings and is listed for roughly 3x SDE. What initially looks like a straightforward recruiting agency quickly turns into a fascinating discussion about retained vs. contingent search, proprietary databases, and the true value of industry-specific relationships.Key Highlights:- Executive recruiting firm focused exclusively on printing, packaging, and paper industries with ~$365K SDE on ~$1.1M revenue- Hosts debate retained vs. contingent recruiting economics and why the split is unusual in executive search- Major diligence concern: founder generates 60% of client engagements and key recruiters may hold most relationship value- Discussion on whether the company’s 200,000-profile CRM database is truly proprietary or just scraped public data- Deep dive into how AI tools may improve recruiting efficiency but still struggle with nuanced executive sourcingSubscribe to  weekly our Newsletter and get curated deals in your inboxAdvertise with us by clicking hereDo you love Acquanon and want to see our smiling faces? Subscribe to our Youtube channel.Do you enjoy our content? Rate our show!Follow us on Twitter @acquanon Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations.For inquiries or suggestions, email us at [email protected]

In this episode the hosts analyze a Maine shed and garage construction business generating $840K in cash flow, but ultimately reject the deal due to heavy owner dependence, limited growth potential, and questionable transferability.Business Listing – https://www.bizbuysell.com/business-opportunity/shed-and-garage-construction-business-central-maine/2364392/Welcome to Acquisitions Anonymous – the #1 podcast for small business M&A. Every week, we break down businesses for sale and talk about buying, operating, and growing them.Looking to build a professional website in minutes? Try Wix: https://wix.pxf.io/c/6898629/3115214/25616?trafcat=templateHubSpot is the backbone for how businesses scale without chaos. Try them out here: https://go.try-hubspot.com/OeG9VrSubscribe for more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@AcquisitionsAnonymousPodcast?sub_confirmation=1Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.acquanon.com/newsletter💰 Sponsored by:Quiet Light Brokerage specializes in helping entrepreneurs buy and sell businesses with experienced operators as brokers. They offer a free valuation clarity call to help owners understand what their business is worth and how to increase its value before selling. Learn more at https://quietlight.com/FRANZY - Thinking about buying a franchise instead of an independent business? FRANZY is a free platform built for acquisition-minded entrepreneurs who want to explore franchise ownership without broker bias. FRANZY matches you with franchise opportunities based on your capital, goals, and lifestyle—and includes free coaching from experienced franchise operators. If you're exploring ETA but want a structured, system-driven alternative, check out https://franzy.com/ This week the hosts review a shed and garage construction business in central Maine with $3.1M in revenue and $840K in seller’s discretionary earnings, listed for $3.2M. Founded in the early 1980s and employing nine staff, the business specializes in custom sheds and garages for local homeowners. The seller cites retirement as the reason for exit, and the operation runs from a leased 6,000 sq. ft. facility with relatively low overhead.Key Highlights:- The business is listed for $3.2 million and generates approximately $840,000 in seller’s discretionary earnings on about $3.1 million in annual revenue.- The company operates with nine employees and serves a small regional market in central Maine with limited population growth.- A major concern is that the business appears to rely heavily on the owner’s personal relationships, reputation, and hands-on involvement.- Financing the acquisition would likely require conservative leverage due to uncertainty around customer retention and seasonal demand.- All three hosts ultimately gave the deal a unanimous thumbs-down, concluding that the buyer would likely be purchasing a job rather than a scalable business.Subscribe to  weekly our Newsletter and get curated deals in your inboxAdvertise with us by clicking hereDo you love Acquanon and want to see our smiling faces? Subscribe to our Youtube channel.Do you enjoy our content? Rate our show!Follow us on Twitter @acquanon Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations.For inquiries or suggestions, email us at [email protected]

In this episode the hosts analyze a $10M revenue hazmat remediation business in California and uncover how licensing, unions, and regulatory complexity can make a profitable company nearly impossible to transfer to a new owner.Business Listing – https://www.bizbuysell.com/business-opportunity/high-demand-environmental-abatement-and-structural-demolition/2391095/Welcome to Acquisitions Anonymous – the #1 podcast for small business M&A. Every week, we break down businesses for sale and talk about buying, operating, and growing them.Looking to build a professional website in minutes? Try Wix: https://wix.pxf.io/c/6898629/3115214/25616?trafcat=templateHubSpot is the backbone for how businesses scale without chaos. Try them out here: https://go.try-hubspot.com/OeG9VrSubscribe for more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@AcquisitionsAnonymousPodcast?sub_confirmation=1Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.acquanon.com/newsletter💰 Sponsored by:Acquisition Lab – Your fast-track to business ownership. Get hands-on support, world-class resources, and join a top-tier community of acquisition entrepreneurs. Schedule your free consultation at https://www.acquisitionlab.com and mention Acquisitions Anonymous!Viso Business Capital — Get the right SBA loan tailored to your acquisition needs with Heather Endresen’s firm. Sign up for a free live Q&A on SBA loans at https://www.visocap.net and click “Zoom Sign Up” in the top-right corner.In this episode, the hosts examine a Northern California environmental remediation and demolition company generating $10 million in revenue, $1 million in seller’s discretionary earnings, and approximately $650,000 in EBITDA, with an asking price of roughly $4.5–$5 million. On the surface, the business appears stable, with 60% repeat customers and long-standing relationships with government agencies. But the deeper they dig, the more complex the deal becomes.Key Highlights:- $10M revenue, $650K EBITDA, $1M SDE with a ~6.9x EBITDA asking multiple- Highly regulated industry requiring multiple environmental and safety licenses- Unionized workforce adds additional legal and operational complexity- Financing challenges due to licensing and transferability requirements- Risk that the business may be difficult—or impossible—to sell to a new ownerSubscribe to  weekly our Newsletter and get curated deals in your inboxAdvertise with us by clicking hereDo you love Acquanon and want to see our smiling faces? Subscribe to our Youtube channel.Do you enjoy our content? Rate our show!Follow us on Twitter @acquanon Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations.For inquiries or suggestions, email us at [email protected]

In this episode the hosts evaluate a 75-year-old drive-in restaurant in rural North Carolina generating $370K in cash flow, debating whether the steady profits and real estate make it a great lifestyle business—or a job you can never truly escape.Business Listing – https://www.bizbuysell.com/business-opportunity/own-the-legendary-city-drive-in-the-front-porch-of-spruce-pine-nc/2489437/Welcome to Acquisitions Anonymous – the #1 podcast for small business M&A. Every week, we break down businesses for sale and talk about buying, operating, and growing them.Looking to build a professional website in minutes? Try Wix: https://wix.pxf.io/c/6898629/3115214/25616?trafcat=templateHubSpot is the backbone for how businesses scale without chaos. Try them out here: https://go.try-hubspot.com/OeG9VrSubscribe for more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@AcquisitionsAnonymousPodcast?sub_confirmation=1Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.acquanon.com/newsletter💰 Sponsored by:CapitalPad is a private equity co-investment group for lower middle market deals. Accredited investors invest in searcher and independent sponsor transactions on a deal-by-deal basis, with minimums starting at $25K. Acquisition entrepreneurs with a deal under LOI can raise equity through CapitalPad's single-SPV structure, closing with one partner and one wire. Raise capital or invest at https://capitalpad.comQuiet Light Brokerage specializes in helping entrepreneurs buy and sell businesses with experienced operators as brokers. They offer a free valuation clarity call to help owners understand what their business is worth and how to increase its value before selling. Learn more at https://quietlight.com/Key Highlights:- $1.3M asking price including real estate valued near $900K- $370K cash flow with potential SBA financing requiring as little as 5% down- 75-year-old local institution with strong community reputation and events revenue- Limited growth upside—business likely to remain stable but not scale dramatically- Biggest risk: dependency on the local town’s population and seasonal demandSubscribe to  weekly our Newsletter and get curated deals in your inboxAdvertise with us by clicking hereDo you love Acquanon and want to see our smiling faces? Subscribe to our Youtube channel.Do you enjoy our content? Rate our show!Follow us on Twitter @acquanon Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations.For inquiries or suggestions, email us at [email protected]

In this episode the hosts analyze a seemingly simple daycare acquisition that reveals a deeper risk: the business may be viable, but the real estate value and neighborhood demographics could make the daycare itself economically irrational to keep running.Business Listing – https://www.bizbuysell.com/business-opportunity/profitable-child-daycare-center-near-oklahoma-city/2476097/Welcome to Acquisitions Anonymous – the #1 podcast for small business M&A. Every week, we break down businesses for sale and talk about buying, operating, and growing them.Looking to build a professional website in minutes? Try Wix: https://wix.pxf.io/c/6898629/3115214/25616?trafcat=templateHubSpot is the backbone for how businesses scale without chaos. Try them out here: https://go.try-hubspot.com/OeG9VrSubscribe for more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@AcquisitionsAnonymousPodcast?sub_confirmation=1Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.acquanon.com/newsletter💰 Sponsored by:Viso Business Capital — Get the right SBA loan tailored to your acquisition needs with Heather Endresen’s firm. Sign up for a free live Q&A on SBA loans at https://www.visocap.net and click “Zoom Sign Up” in the top-right corner.FRANZY - Thinking about buying a franchise instead of an independent business? FRANZY is a free platform built for acquisition-minded entrepreneurs who want to explore franchise ownership without broker bias. FRANZY matches you with franchise opportunities based on your capital, goals, and lifestyle—and includes free coaching from experienced franchise operators. If you're exploring ETA but want a structured, system-driven alternative, check out https://franzy.com/ This episode breaks down a daycare center near Oklahoma City listed for $1.875M with approximately $600K in revenue and $200K in cash flow, including the real estate. At first glance, the numbers look straightforward—but the conversation quickly shifts to the underlying economics of owning service businesses tied to specific locations. The hosts highlight that much of the purchase price may be driven by land value rather than business performance, making this more of a real estate deal than an operating company.Key Highlights:- Asking Price: $1.875M including real estate; Cash Flow: ~$200K- Licensed capacity for 82 students but currently only 66 enrolled, raising demographic risk concerns- Real estate likely represents the majority of the deal’s value rather than the operating business- Regulatory limits (staff ratios, square footage rules) structurally constrain growth potential- Creative financing idea: buy the business first, lease the property, and negotiate an option to purchase laterSubscribe to  weekly our Newsletter and get curated deals in your inboxAdvertise with us by clicking hereDo you love Acquanon and want to see our smiling faces? Subscribe to our Youtube channel.Do you enjoy our content? Rate our show!Follow us on Twitter @acquanon Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations.For inquiries or suggestions, email us at [email protected]

In this episode the hosts dissect a Midwest trailer dealership priced at $5–7M and uncover a financial cliffhanger—questionable add-backs and heavy inventory requirements that may be masking weak true profitability.Business Listing – https://mail.mixmax.com/m/R8B9vgpovo59ao3bCWelcome to Acquisitions Anonymous – the #1 podcast for small business M&A. Every week, we break down businesses for sale and talk about buying, operating, and growing them.Looking to build a professional website in minutes? Try Wix: https://wix.pxf.io/c/6898629/3115214/25616?trafcat=templateHubSpot is the backbone for how businesses scale without chaos. Try them out here: https://go.try-hubspot.com/OeG9Vr💰 Sponsored by:Capital PadCapitalPad is a private equity co-investment group for lower middle market deals. Accredited investors invest in searcher and independent sponsor transactions on a deal-by-deal basis, with minimums starting at $25K. Acquisition entrepreneurs with a deal under LOI can raise equity through CapitalPad's single-SPV structure, closing with one partner and one wire. Raise capital or invest at https://capitalpad.comAcquisition LabAcquisition Lab provides a structured, hands-on program for aspiring business buyers, offering deal support, community, and proven frameworks for sourcing, diligence, and closing acquisitions. Schedule your free consultation at https://www.acquisitionlab.com and mention Acquisitions Anonymous!This episode analyzes a Midwest trailer dealership generating roughly $11.4M in revenue but only $354K in reported EBITDA, with an asking price between $5M and $7M. At first glance, the valuation appears unusually high—around 14x earnings—until the hosts discover additional financial details suggesting the owner may be taking large shareholder distributions that distort the reported profit numbers.Key Highlights:- $11.4M revenue, $354K EBITDA, asking $5M–$7M (≈14x multiple)- Large inventory requirements likely driving valuation and financing complexity- Possible hidden earnings via shareholder distributions- Commodity product with steady demand but limited differentiation- Requires deep diligence on accounting practices and working capitalSubscribe to  weekly our Newsletter and get curated deals in your inboxAdvertise with us by clicking hereDo you love Acquanon and want to see our smiling faces? Subscribe to our Youtube channel.Do you enjoy our content? Rate our show!Follow us on Twitter @acquanon Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations.For inquiries or suggestions, email us at [email protected]

In this episode the hosts break down a high-margin American manufacturing business selling industrial coating ovens—and explore whether its explosive growth and low multiple signal opportunity or hidden risk.Business Listing – https://Quiet Light.com/listings/18828343/Welcome to Acquisitions Anonymous – the #1 podcast for small business M&A. Every week, we break down businesses for sale and talk about buying, operating, and growing them.Looking to build a professional website in minutes? Try Wix: https://wix.pxf.io/c/6898629/3115214/25616?trafcat=templateHubSpot is the backbone for how businesses scale without chaos. Try them out here: https://go.try-hubspot.com/OeG9VrSubscribe for more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@AcquisitionsAnonymousPodcast?sub_confirmation=1Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.acquanon.com/newsletter💰 Sponsored by:Quiet Light Brokerage specializes in helping entrepreneurs buy and sell businesses with experienced operators as brokers. They offer a free valuation clarity call to help owners understand what their business is worth and how to increase its value before selling. Learn more at https://quietlight.com/FRANZY - Thinking about buying a franchise instead of an independent business? FRANZY is a free platform built for acquisition-minded entrepreneurs who want to explore franchise ownership without broker bias. FRANZY matches you with franchise opportunities based on your capital, goals, and lifestyle—and includes free coaching from experienced franchise operators. If you're exploring ETA but want a structured, system-driven alternative, check out https://franzy.com/ This episode dives into a fast-growing U.S. manufacturing company that produces powder coating and Cerakote curing ovens used in industries ranging from hobbyist workshops to major industrial players like aerospace and defense contractors. The business generates approximately $4.8 million in revenue and $2.7 million in EBITDA, an eye-catching 57% margin, and is listed for roughly $11 million, or about 4x earnings—a surprisingly modest multiple given the growth trajectory.Key Highlights:- $4.8M revenue / $2.7M EBITDA with ~57% margins- Asking price around $11M (≈4x EBITDA)- Manufacturing facility located in a rural U.S. region requiring on-site leadership- Growth driven primarily by organic search and minimal advertising spend- Financing structure may require SBA + pari passu loan combinationSubscribe to  weekly our Newsletter and get curated deals in your inboxAdvertise with us by clicking hereDo you love Acquanon and want to see our smiling faces? Subscribe to our Youtube channel.Do you enjoy our content? Rate our show!Follow us on Twitter @acquanon Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations.For inquiries or suggestions, email us at [email protected]