Stay Small, Buy Smart, Compound Hard

Welcome to the JackQuisitions newsletter,

Michael Crow has been building and buying businesses for decades. Here’s what he told me about entrepreneurship…

“Being an entrepreneur is like getting up every day and working on getting punched in the face.”

Harsh? Yes. True? Yes.

Below, I share his story with a focus on how to overcome entrepreneurial challenges one day at a time.

The First Step to Funding Your Acquisition

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Ready For Your Next Acquisition?

Check out these acquisition opportunities that caught my eye this week:

• Residential HVAC company serving SW Washington and NW Oregon with $2.76M in revenue, 350 maintenance agreements, and 2,400 active customers.

• Established electrical contracting company serving Northeastern Ohio with $922K in revenue, $262K in cash flow, and nearly 40 years of trusted residential and light commercial service.

• Midwest HVAC company established in 1919—one of the oldest Lennox dealers in the U.S.—offering $780K SDE and real estate valued at $650K, with seller financing available.

• Established plumbing company serving the Delaware Valley with $1.5M in revenue, $300K in cash flow, and a 25-year track record of residential and commercial service.

From Discipline to Compounding Returns

Michael Crow has built and bought companies for three decades. He has the scars, the wins, and the receipts. His playbook isn’t flashy. It works because it’s boring on purpose.

It starts with discipline. It ends with compounding.

Where New Owners Slip

Ambition outruns attention. You buy a business, then chase a second and third before the first one runs without you. General managers churn. Travel spreads you thin. Results slip.

The fix is proximity and focus. Touch the work. Tighten the systems. Slow down until the machine runs without you.

What Actually Scales

Crow’s view is simple. Consistency beats clever.

• Pick a lane and let it compound for years.

• Build around service, repair, and replacement.

• Avoid construction-heavy mixes that spike risk and scare lenders.

• Keep books clean so profit shows up on tax returns, not in spreadsheets.

Thirty percent growth, year after year, takes you farther than a wild swing.

Buying That Makes Sense

He likes small tuck-ins at sane prices. Two to three times cash flow with terms. Plug them into a working system. Skip the auction deals at six to ten times because they look good on paper.

You win by paying the right price and integrating well, not by winning bid sheets.

People Over Resumes

Crow has hired stars on paper who could not execute. He now hunts for edge and horsepower.

• Self-motivated operators who solve small problems early.

• A few true A players, then a team that supports them.

• Clear roles so you are not the tech, CSR, sales, and GM on the same day.

Execution beats pedigree. Every time.

Franchises, If They Earn It

Royalties are fine when value flows back.

• National pricing and rebates that drop to the bottom line.

• Real corporate accounts that fill the board.

• A peer group you want to learn from.

• Territories you can grow into.

If the benefits do not offset the fee, walk.

The Long Hold Mindset

Crow calls it permanent equity for a reason. Hold good businesses for a long time. Share the upside with the team. Consider employee ownership when the numbers support it. Wealth shows up when time and discipline meet profit.

Quick Self-Check

Ask yourself:

• Can this company run cleanly for 90 days without me?

• Is my revenue mix weighted to service, repair, and replace?

• Would a buyer understand profit by reading my tax returns?

• Do I have two or three operators with real horsepower?

• Am I paying fair prices for tuck-ins I can integrate fast?

Bottom line: The difference between noise and durable success is how you run the business. Buy small and smart. Hire for edge. Keep books clean. Compound in one lane for a long time.

Check out my full conversation with Michael Crow here:

Staff Quickly With Quick Staffers

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Salaries start at $550/week. Book a call to get started.

Tell Me What You’re Thinking

What do you think about this advice for entrepreneurs?

Share your feedback with me on X or LinkedIn.

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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