Choosing Stability Over Hyper-Growth

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Welcome to the JackQuisitions newsletter,

Every home service operator obsesses over growth. And that’s okay. It’s good that you want to continually take your company to new heights.

But it’s not the end all.

Today, I share the story of an operator who chose stability over hyper-growth. It’s a different approach. It’s also an approach that can generate steady, meaningful results.

Acquisition Financing Made Easy

When buying a business, it won’t be long before your mind shifts to dollars and cents. And for many, that means tackling the financing process.

Rather than take unnecessary risks, lean on an experienced professional who has your best interests in mind. For me, that person is First Internet Bank’s Alan Peterson.

He specializes in SBA 7(a) loans for business acquisitions, partner buyouts, and commercial real estate.

Whether you're buying your first company or scaling through acquisition, Alan's “how can we” mindset and hands-on approach make him the go-to lender in the skilled trades space.

  • Finance up to 90% of your deal

  • Get a complimentary deal review and buyside prequal

  • Reduced good faith deposit when you mention the show

Alan works fast, knows what small business buyers actually need, and this is all he does.

Ready For Your Next Acquisition?

There are some interesting acquisition opportunities out there right now. Here are four:

This $1.48M revenue HVAC business in Northern Shore Chicago nets $353K—95% residential and 5% commercial, with 130 changeouts completed in the last 12 months.

This $161K revenue HVAC and refrigeration business in the south suburbs of Chicago is offered at $166.9K—light commercial and residential service with over 30 years of established accounts.

This $1.20M revenue HVAC business in Southern Maryland nets $156K—55% HVAC and 45% plumbing/remodeling, with a client base that is 90% residential and 10% commercial.

This $3.05M revenue HVAC company nets ~$600K—specializing in air duct cleaning, mold remediation, and indoor air purification across residential and commercial markets.

Should You Chase Hyper-Growth in an Acquisition?

Most operators jump into acquisitions chasing hyper-growth. They want the shiny hockey-stick curve, the 500% year-over-year story.

Matt, the owner of Winning Services, went the other direction.

He bought stability. A 75-year-old HVAC company in Pittsburgh with ~$2M in revenue, $400K EBITDA, and $700K in real estate baked into the deal.

On paper it was a 3.1× multiple, but the real prize was the phone that never stops ringing.

That stability let him retrade when revenue slipped, structure seller notes with earnouts, and keep the former owner on board to protect 85% of commercial relationships. Instead of gambling on a “two trucks and a dream” shop, he bought big enough to matter and safe enough to sleep at night.

Why You Buy Stability

Buying stability doesn’t mean you avoid growth. It means you choose a foundation that won’t collapse when the market shifts.

  • You de-risk the downside with real assets like property.

  • You inherit a reputation that keeps the board full.

  • You retain key relationships by keeping the seller close.

  • You put yourself in a position to scale with confidence instead of panic.

Matt’s deal shows that in home services, boring can be beautiful. A well-run $2M company in a city with no $50M player leaves plenty of room to grow, but without the existential risk of starting too small or buying hype.

Lessons for Operators

When you are evaluating a deal, ask yourself:

  • Is this business big enough to be a platform, or just a job in disguise?

  • Does the purchase price reflect real risk, especially if revenue shifts mid-process?

  • Am I de-risking with assets and structure, or relying on blind faith?

The Primary Takeaway

Durable, community-rooted growth will always beat chasing hyper-growth.

Matt proved that the smarter play is not always buying the flashiest business. It’s buying the one that lets you win long term.

Here’s Matt’s entire story:

How to Find Your Next Acquisition Target

Searching for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical businesses for sale?

Rather than fight hundreds of prospective buyers for the best deals, get notified the moment a trades business hits the market.

✅ Be the first to see new deals
✅ Get a complimentary deal review
✅ Access exclusive off-market opportunities

Join the list here before the next deal drops. It could be the difference between making a deal and finding yourself stuck at square one.

Tell Me What You’re Thinking

Stability vs. hyper-growth potential. Think about this long and hard as you move toward your next acquisition.

Got questions or require guidance? Get with me on X or LinkedIn.

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Disclosure: Some of the content and links in this newsletter are sponsored or affiliate links, which means we may receive payment or earn a commission if you click through or purchase. However, all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

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