Buying a content website might be simple but SCALING it to a point of Success is a different story. 

For this amazing episode, I’m speaking with Michael Dinich who has bought 12 content websites. He will share his experience so you too can build a portfolio of sites!

Michael launched Wealth of Geeks to make personal finance fun. He has worked in personal finance for over 20 years, helping families reduce taxes, increase their income, and save for retirement. Michael is passionate about personal finance, side hustles, and all things geeky.

We had a wonderful discussion on how Michael got started blogging and buying websites. Why does he as a financial advisor loves buying sites for their ROI compared to other investments? Where does he buy sites and how you can start to find sites for sale the same way he is? What risks does he look out for when buying sites?

We also talked about the types of growth opportunities he looks for prior to purchasing. What not to do as a first-time investor and how do people get caught out? What his go-to growth strategies are after buying a site?

New to buying websites? Watch this video now and know the strategies for buying and scaling websites!



Episode Highlights


03:14 Beginning of Everything for Michael 

10:15 What is a good strategy for buying a site?

13:33 Site hunting & leveraging your network

16:46 Things to look for in due diligence for first-time investors

21:11 Identifying certain risks when buying a website

30:45 What are the Go-To strategies for growing the websites?

35:37 Where you can find Michael?





About The Guest

Michael launched Wealth of Geeks to make personal finance fun. He has worked in personal finance for over 20 years, helping families reduce taxes, increase their income, and save for retirement. Michael is passionate about personal finance, side hustles, and all things geeky.



Resource Links

➥ Buying Online Businesses Website (https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com) 

➥ Download the Due Diligence Framework (https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/freeresources/)

➥ Visit Niche Website Builders and get EXCLUSIVE OFFERS as a BOB listener (https://bit.ly/3BusZE3)





Connect with Michael Dinich:

➥ https://wealthofgeeks.com/  Main Website

➥ https://moneymix.us/ Blogging Mastermind he helped found

➥ https://captionsnation.com/ Website Michael bought and is growing



🔥🔥 Buy & Sell Online Businesses Here (Top Website Brokers We Use) 🔥🔥

➥ Empire Flippers - https://bit.ly/3RtyMkE 

➥ Flippa - https://bit.ly/3WYX0Ve

➥ Motion Invest - https://bit.ly/3YmJAmO

➥ Investors Club - https://bit.ly/3ZpgioR

Buying a content website might be simple but SCALING it to a point of Success is a different story. 
For this amazing episode, I’m speaking with Michael Dinich who has bought 12 content websites. He will share his experience so you too can build a portfolio of sites! Michael launched Wealth of Geeks to make personal finance fun. He has worked in personal finance for over 20 years, helping families reduce taxes, increase their income, and save for retirement. Michael is passionate about personal finance, side hustles, and all things geeky.
We had a wonderful discussion on how Michael got started blogging and buying websites. Why does he as a financial advisor loves buying sites for their ROI compared to other investments? Where does he buy sites and how you can start to find sites for sale the same way he is? What risks does he look out for when buying sites?
We also talked about the types of growth opportunities he looks for prior to purchasing. What not to do as a first-time investor and how do people get caught out? What his go-to growth strategies are after buying a site?
New to buying websites? Watch this video now and know the strategies for buying and scaling websites!
 
Episode Highlights 
03:14 Beginning of Everything for Michael 
10:15 What is a good strategy for buying a site?
13:33 Site hunting &amp; leveraging your network
16:46 Things to look for in due diligence for first-time investors
21:11 Identifying certain risks when buying a website
30:45 What are the Go-To strategies for growing the websites?
35:37 Where you can find Michael? 
 
About The Guest Michael launched Wealth of Geeks to make personal finance fun. He has worked in personal finance for over 20 years, helping families reduce taxes, increase their income, and save for retirement. Michael is passionate about personal finance, side hustles, and all things geeky.
 
Resource Links
➥ Buying Online Businesses Website (<a href="https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com">https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com</a>) 
➥ Download the Due Diligence Framework (<a href="https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/freeresources/">https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/freeresources/</a>)
➥ Visit Niche Website Builders and get EXCLUSIVE OFFERS as a BOB listener (<a href="https://bit.ly/3BusZE3" data-stringify-link="https://bit.ly/3BusZE3" data-sk="tooltip_parent" data-remove-tab-index="true" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-135">https://bit.ly/3BusZE3</a>)
 
Connect with Michael Dinich:
➥ <a href="https://wealthofgeeks.com/">https://wealthofgeeks.com/</a>  Main Website
➥ <a href="https://moneymix.us/">https://moneymix.us/</a> Blogging Mastermind he helped found
➥ <a href="https://captionsnation.com/">https://captionsnation.com/</a> Website Michael bought and is growing
 
🔥🔥 Buy &amp; Sell Online Businesses Here (Top Website Brokers We Use) 🔥🔥 ➥ Empire Flippers - <a href="https://bit.ly/3RtyMkE">https://bit.ly/3RtyMkE </a> ➥ Flippa - <a href="https://bit.ly/3WYX0Ve">https://bit.ly/3WYX0Ve</a> ➥ Motion Invest - <a href="https://bit.ly/3YmJAmO">https://bit.ly/3YmJAmO</a> ➥ Investors Club - <a href="https://bit.ly/3ZpgioR">https://bit.ly/3ZpgioR</a>

Hosted by Jaryd Krause who went from plumber to creating an online business empire through buying websites for passive income. 

This podcast will unfold his secrets as you explore the highs, lows and light bulb moments of his personal journey in each episode. He will show you that no matter where you are in life an alternate lifestyle is more than possible. You will gain the knowledge you need to start buying online businesses yourself and live a fulfilling lifestyle.

Buying Online Businesses Podcast

Why A Financial Advisor Bought 12 Content Websites with Michael Dinich

What if the thing standing between you and total lifestyle freedom… was just one business acquisition?

A former respiratory therapist and a software developer – no entrepreneurial experience, no roadmap, no idea what they were doing – decided to bet on themselves anyway. And now? They're running a lean team of 11 VAs from wherever in the world they feel like being that week.

Guatemala last month. St. Kitts for their anniversary. Belize next. You get the picture.

In this episode, Jaryd Krause sits down with Alan and Mel, a husband-and-wife duo who tried every side hustle in the book – financial lending, credit repair, online teaching – before discovering that buying an existing online business was the shortcut they'd been exhausting themselves looking for.

They used SBA financing to acquire a $1.2M business with just $65K out of pocket. They inherited 2 VAs and a chaotic operation. They were working 60-hour weeks at the start. And then – systematically, strategically – they rebuilt it, scaled it, and sold it. Profitably.

Now they're already under LOI for their next deal.

Here's what makes their story different though. Neither of them had ever owned a business before. One was in healthcare. One was in tech but still didn't think you could buy something you couldn't physically touch. They were scared, skeptical, and figuring it out in real time.

Sound familiar?

If you've ever wondered whether someone like YOU could actually pull this off – this episode is your answer.

Hit play. You'll want to hear this one.🎧

 

Episode Highlights

06:09 The $0 Down Deal Structure Most Buyers Don't Even Know Is Possible

15:13 How They Bought a $1.2M Business With Just $65K Out of Pocket

18:26 Why Taking 6 Months to Close Was the Smartest Thing They Ever Did

24:09 From 60-Hour Weeks to 5: The Exact Strategy They Used to Replace Themselves

29:00 The Layoff That Forced Them All In – And Accidentally Changed Their Lives Forever

33:33 They Sold the Business… and Got Bored in Two Months. Here's Why They're Back

35:33 The Raw Truth About Mindset That Most Business Coaches Are Too Polished to Say

42:12 The Wealth Loop Nobody Talks About: How One Business Funded an Entire Real Estate Portfolio

 

Key Takeaways

➥ You don't need industry experience to acquire a business – the learning happens after you buy, not before.

➥ SBA financing can get you into a $1.2M business with as little as $0 down if you negotiate the deal structure right.

➥ The fastest way to scale an acquisition is to document every bottleneck, then hire to eliminate them one by one.

➥ A longer closing timeline isn't a red flag – it's free due diligence that lets you watch the business perform before you own it.

➥ The moment you stop working IN the business and start building a team around it, everything changes.

➥ Buying a business where the owner is burned out is a hidden goldmine – lower price, massive upside, ready to scale.

➥ Online businesses have no glass ceiling – unlike physical businesses, growth isn't limited by location, rooms, or geography.

➥ Business cash flow funds real estate. Real estate equity funds the next acquisition. That loop, repeated, builds serious wealth.

➥ Mindset isn't a buzzword here – it's the actual difference between people who pull the trigger and people who stay stuck researching forever.

➥ Freedom isn't something you find after you build the business. It's something you design into the business from the start.

 

About Alan & Mel

Alan and Mell are a husband-and-wife duo who’ve turned online business acquisitions into a lifestyle of freedom and adventure. Alan, with a background in education and technology, and Mel, a former respiratory therapist with an MBA from Ohio State’s Fisher College of Business, combined their skills to acquire three online businesses—recently exiting one successfully. Their profits helped them purchase two Airbnb properties and build a third in Belize. Thanks to the flexibility of their online ventures, they recently spent a month in Guatemala and El Salvador with their daughters for a World School program. Now, they’re under LOI for their next deal and on track to acquire three new deals within the next year.

 

Connect with Alan & Mel

➥ https://risingphoenixfund.org/home

➥ AI content creation platform: https://wordgenius.ai/

 

Resource Links

➥ Connect with Jaryd here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarydkrause

➥ Buying Online Businesses Website - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com

➥ Download the Due Diligence Framework - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/freeresources/

➥ Sell your business to us here - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/sell-your-business/

➥ Google Ads Service - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/ads-services/

 

Buy & Sell Online Businesses Here (Top Website Brokers We Use) 🔥

➥ Empire Flippers - https://bit.ly/3RtyMkE

➥ Flippa - https://bit.ly/3wGa8r5

➥ Motion Invest - https://bit.ly/3YmJAmO

➥ Investors Club - https://bit.ly/3ZpgioR


*This post may contain affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site/posts at no additional cost to you.

What if the thing standing between you and total lifestyle freedom&hellip; was just one business acquisition?
A former respiratory therapist and a software developer &ndash; no entrepreneurial experience, no roadmap, no idea what they were doing &ndash; decided to bet on themselves anyway. And now? They're running a lean team of 11 VAs from wherever in the world they feel like being that week.
Guatemala last month. St. Kitts for their anniversary. Belize next. You get the picture.
In this episode, Jaryd Krause sits down with Alan and Mel, a husband-and-wife duo who tried every side hustle in the book &ndash; financial lending, credit repair, online teaching &ndash; before discovering that buying an existing online business was the shortcut they'd been exhausting themselves looking for.
They used SBA financing to acquire a $1.2M business with just $65K out of pocket. They inherited 2 VAs and a chaotic operation. They were working 60-hour weeks at the start. And then &ndash; systematically, strategically &ndash; they rebuilt it, scaled it, and sold it. Profitably.
Now they're already under LOI for their next deal.
Here's what makes their story different though. Neither of them had ever owned a business before. One was in healthcare. One was in tech but still didn't think you could buy something you couldn't physically touch. They were scared, skeptical, and figuring it out in real time.
Sound familiar?
If you've ever wondered whether someone like YOU could actually pull this off &ndash; this episode is your answer.
Hit play. You'll want to hear this one.🎧
&nbsp;
Episode Highlights
06:09 The $0 Down Deal Structure Most Buyers Don't Even Know Is Possible
15:13 How They Bought a $1.2M Business With Just $65K Out of Pocket
18:26 Why Taking 6 Months to Close Was the Smartest Thing They Ever Did
24:09 From 60-Hour Weeks to 5: The Exact Strategy They Used to Replace Themselves
29:00 The Layoff That Forced Them All In &ndash; And Accidentally Changed Their Lives Forever
33:33 They Sold the Business&hellip; and Got Bored in Two Months. Here's Why They're Back
35:33 The Raw Truth About Mindset That Most Business Coaches Are Too Polished to Say
42:12 The Wealth Loop Nobody Talks About: How One Business Funded an Entire Real Estate Portfolio
&nbsp;
Key Takeaways
➥ You don't need industry experience to acquire a business &ndash; the learning happens after you buy, not before.
➥ SBA financing can get you into a $1.2M business with as little as $0 down if you negotiate the deal structure right.
➥ The fastest way to scale an acquisition is to document every bottleneck, then hire to eliminate them one by one.
➥ A longer closing timeline isn't a red flag &ndash; it's free due diligence that lets you watch the business perform before you own it.
➥ The moment you stop working IN the business and start building a team around it, everything changes.
➥ Buying a business where the owner is burned out is a hidden goldmine &ndash; lower price, massive upside, ready to scale.
➥ Online businesses have no glass ceiling &ndash; unlike physical businesses, growth isn't limited by location, rooms, or geography.
➥ Business cash flow funds real estate. Real estate equity funds the next acquisition. That loop, repeated, builds serious wealth.
➥ Mindset isn't a buzzword here &ndash; it's the actual difference between people who pull the trigger and people who stay stuck researching forever.
➥ Freedom isn't something you find after you build the business. It's something you design into the business from the start.
&nbsp;
About Alan &amp; Mel
Alan and Mell are a husband-and-wife duo who&rsquo;ve turned online business acquisitions into a lifestyle of freedom and adventure. Alan, with a background in education and technology, and Mel, a former respiratory therapist with an MBA from Ohio State&rsquo;s Fisher College of Business, combined their skills to acquire three online businesses&mdash;recently exiting one successfully. Their profits helped them purchase two Airbnb properties and build a third in Belize. Thanks to the flexibility of their online ventures, they recently spent a month in Guatemala and El Salvador with their daughters for a World School program. Now, they&rsquo;re under LOI for their next deal and on track to acquire three new deals within the next year.
&nbsp;
Connect with Alan &amp; Mel
➥ <a href="https://risingphoenixfund.org/home">https://risingphoenixfund.org/home</a>
➥ AI content creation platform: <a href="https://wordgenius.ai/">https://wordgenius.ai/</a>
&nbsp;
Resource Links
➥ Connect with Jaryd here -<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarydkrause"> https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarydkrause </a>➥ Buying Online Businesses Website -<a href="https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/"> https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com</a>
➥ Download the Due Diligence Framework -<a href="https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/freeresources/"> https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/freeresources/ </a>➥ Sell your business to us here -<a href="https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/sell-your-business/"> https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/sell-your-business/</a>
➥ Google Ads Service -<a href="https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/ads-services/"> https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/ads-services/</a>
&nbsp;
Buy &amp; Sell Online Businesses Here (Top Website Brokers We Use) 🔥
➥ Empire Flippers -<a href="https://bit.ly/3RtyMkE"> https://bit.ly/3RtyMkE</a>
➥ Flippa -<a href="https://bit.ly/3wGa8r5"> https://bit.ly/3wGa8r5</a>
➥ Motion Invest -<a href="https://bit.ly/3YmJAmO"> https://bit.ly/3YmJAmO </a>➥ Investors Club -<a href="https://bit.ly/3ZpgioR"> https://bit.ly/3ZpgioR</a>
 *This post may contain affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site/posts at no additional cost to you.

[Case Study] From 9–5 to Freedom: How Alan & Mel Acquire, Grow, and Sell Online Businesses

Most buyers are still doing due diligence like it's 2015. And the ones who know how to use AI? They're finding better deals, faster, and you'd never even know they were looking.

In this episode, Jaryd sits down with Haytham Allos, M&A strategist, AI specialist, and one of the minds behind one of the world's first AI-powered law firms, to pull back the curtain on what's actually happening right now at the intersection of artificial intelligence and buying businesses.

And it gets wild.

We're talking AI agents that evaluate deals. Smart contracts that close them. Fractionalised ownership that lets someone invest in a business for as little as $50. A future where your AI agent negotiates with the seller's AI agent, and a human just says yes or no at the end.

But before we get there? Haytham breaks down what's happening right now. Why most buyers are still flying blind, why AI without the right prompting is actually dangerous in a deal, and the one thing that kills more mergers than bad financials ever will.

You'll discover why prompt engineering is the most underrated skill in acquisitions today, how to use AI to get an unfair edge in due diligence without replacing your gut instinct, and exactly where the smart money is already moving.

This isn't theory. This is where M&A is heading, and the buyers who understand it now are going to own the next decade.

Hit play. Your competition probably already has. 🎧

 

Episode Highlights

05:45 The Chainsaw Analogy: Why AI Without Experience Is Genuinely Dangerous in a Deal

09:08 The Hallucination Problem: Why AI Can Lie to You During a Deal and How to Stop It

13:57 Where AI Creates the Biggest Unfair Advantage in the Acquisition Process Right Now

16:43 Prompt Engineering: The Most Underrated Skill Every Serious Buyer Needs to Master

19:44 The Rise of Agent-First Companies: What Cursor AI's $2 Billion Valuation Tells Us About the Future

22:31 The Mindset Shift Every Business Owner Must Make or Get Left Behind

28:16 AI Agents Buying From AI Agents: The Future of M&A Is Closer Than You Think

31:12 Smart Contracts, Crypto Wallets and the Death of Bureaucratic Deal Making

35:43 Fractionalised Business Ownership: How Anyone Could Invest in a Business for $50

 

Key Takeaways

➥ AI without experience is like handing a chainsaw to someone who's never cut down a tree. Powerful tool. Dangerous hands.

➥ AI will hallucinate during your due diligence. If you don't know how to configure it correctly, it will confidently lie to you about the business you're about to buy.

➥ Prompt engineering is the most underrated skill in acquisitions right now. The quality of your questions determines the quality of your deal.

➥ The number one reason mergers fail isn't bad financials. It's people, politics, and ego. AI is quietly removing all three from the equation.

➥ We are shifting from AI that answers questions to AI that takes actions. The buyers who understand that difference right now will have an unfair advantage for the next decade.

➥ Smart contracts, crypto wallets, and blockchain are about to collapse the layers of bureaucracy that slow every deal down. The merger process, as we know it is on borrowed time.

➥ Fractionalised ownership is coming to business acquisitions. You won't need six figures to get into a deal. You'll need the right agent and the right wallet.

➥ The future of M&A is two AI agents negotiating a deal, presenting it to their humans, and closing it on the blockchain before a bank even answers the phone.

 

About Haytham Allos

Haytham Allos is an M&A and AI strategist focused on how artificial intelligence is transforming the buy-side deal process. He works at the intersection of technology, data, and acquisitions, helping investors and acquirers use AI to enhance due diligence, identify hidden risks, and make better capital allocation decisions. 

Haytham specializes in applying AI tools across deal sourcing, financial analysis, operational review, and post-acquisition decision-making.

 

Connect with Haytham Allos

➥ https://vikk.ai/

➥ https://finance.yahoo.com/news/vikk-ai-selected-prestigious-aws-141700773.html?guccounter=1

 

Resource Links

➥ Connect with Jaryd here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarydkrause

➥ Buying Online Businesses Website - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com

➥ Download the Due Diligence Framework - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/freeresources/

➥ Sell your business to us here - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/sell-your-business/

➥ Google Ads Service - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/ads-services/

 

Buy & Sell Online Businesses Here (Top Website Brokers We Use) 🔥

➥ Empire Flippers - https://bit.ly/3RtyMkE

➥ Flippa - https://bit.ly/3wGa8r5

➥ Motion Invest - https://bit.ly/3YmJAmO

➥ Investors Club - https://bit.ly/3ZpgioR

 

*This post may contain affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site/posts at no additional cost to you.

Most buyers are still doing due diligence like it's 2015. And the ones who know how to use AI? They're finding better deals, faster, and you'd never even know they were looking.
In this episode, Jaryd sits down with Haytham Allos, M&amp;A strategist, AI specialist, and one of the minds behind one of the world's first AI-powered law firms, to pull back the curtain on what's actually happening right now at the intersection of artificial intelligence and buying businesses.
And it gets wild.
We're talking AI agents that evaluate deals. Smart contracts that close them. Fractionalised ownership that lets someone invest in a business for as little as $50. A future where your AI agent negotiates with the seller's AI agent, and a human just says yes or no at the end.
But before we get there? Haytham breaks down what's happening right now. Why most buyers are still flying blind, why AI without the right prompting is actually dangerous in a deal, and the one thing that kills more mergers than bad financials ever will.
You'll discover why prompt engineering is the most underrated skill in acquisitions today, how to use AI to get an unfair edge in due diligence without replacing your gut instinct, and exactly where the smart money is already moving.
This isn't theory. This is where M&amp;A is heading, and the buyers who understand it now are going to own the next decade.
Hit play. Your competition probably already has. 🎧
&nbsp;
Episode Highlights
05:45 The Chainsaw Analogy: Why AI Without Experience Is Genuinely Dangerous in a Deal
09:08 The Hallucination Problem: Why AI Can Lie to You During a Deal and How to Stop It
13:57 Where AI Creates the Biggest Unfair Advantage in the Acquisition Process Right Now
16:43 Prompt Engineering: The Most Underrated Skill Every Serious Buyer Needs to Master
19:44 The Rise of Agent-First Companies: What Cursor AI's $2 Billion Valuation Tells Us About the Future
22:31 The Mindset Shift Every Business Owner Must Make or Get Left Behind
28:16 AI Agents Buying From AI Agents: The Future of M&amp;A Is Closer Than You Think
31:12 Smart Contracts, Crypto Wallets and the Death of Bureaucratic Deal Making
35:43 Fractionalised Business Ownership: How Anyone Could Invest in a Business for $50
&nbsp;
Key Takeaways
➥ AI without experience is like handing a chainsaw to someone who's never cut down a tree. Powerful tool. Dangerous hands.
➥ AI will hallucinate during your due diligence. If you don't know how to configure it correctly, it will confidently lie to you about the business you're about to buy.
➥ Prompt engineering is the most underrated skill in acquisitions right now. The quality of your questions determines the quality of your deal.
➥ The number one reason mergers fail isn't bad financials. It's people, politics, and ego. AI is quietly removing all three from the equation.
➥ We are shifting from AI that answers questions to AI that takes actions. The buyers who understand that difference right now will have an unfair advantage for the next decade.
➥ Smart contracts, crypto wallets, and blockchain are about to collapse the layers of bureaucracy that slow every deal down. The merger process, as we know it is on borrowed time.
➥ Fractionalised ownership is coming to business acquisitions. You won't need six figures to get into a deal. You'll need the right agent and the right wallet.
➥ The future of M&amp;A is two AI agents negotiating a deal, presenting it to their humans, and closing it on the blockchain before a bank even answers the phone.
&nbsp;
About Haytham Allos
Haytham Allos is an M&amp;A and AI strategist focused on how artificial intelligence is transforming the buy-side deal process. He works at the intersection of technology, data, and acquisitions, helping investors and acquirers use AI to enhance due diligence, identify hidden risks, and make better capital allocation decisions.&nbsp;
Haytham specializes in applying AI tools across deal sourcing, financial analysis, operational review, and post-acquisition decision-making.
&nbsp;
Connect with Haytham Allos
➥ <a href="https://vikk.ai/">https://vikk.ai/</a>
➥ <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/vikk-ai-selected-prestigious-aws-141700773.html?guccounter=1">https://finance.yahoo.com/news/vikk-ai-selected-prestigious-aws-141700773.html?guccounter=1</a>
&nbsp;
Resource Links
➥ Connect with Jaryd here -<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarydkrause"> https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarydkrause </a>➥ Buying Online Businesses Website -<a href="https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/"> https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com</a>
➥ Download the Due Diligence Framework -<a href="https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/freeresources/"> https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/freeresources/ </a>➥ Sell your business to us here -<a href="https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/sell-your-business/"> https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/sell-your-business/</a>
➥ Google Ads Service -<a href="https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/ads-services/"> https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/ads-services/</a>
&nbsp;
Buy &amp; Sell Online Businesses Here (Top Website Brokers We Use) 🔥
➥ Empire Flippers -<a href="https://bit.ly/3RtyMkE"> https://bit.ly/3RtyMkE</a>
➥ Flippa -<a href="https://bit.ly/3wGa8r5"> https://bit.ly/3wGa8r5</a>
➥ Motion Invest -<a href="https://bit.ly/3YmJAmO"> https://bit.ly/3YmJAmO </a>➥ Investors Club -<a href="https://bit.ly/3ZpgioR"> https://bit.ly/3ZpgioR</a>
&nbsp;
*This post may contain affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site/posts at no additional cost to you.

AI Is Rewriting Due Diligence  & How We Acquire Businesses - Here’s How Buyers Win or Lose with Haytham Allos

Buying a $10M–$100M online business isn’t just about having capital. It’s about relationships, structure, leverage, and knowing how the game is really played behind closed doors.

In this episode, Jaryd Krause sits down with Emmet Kilduff, founder of The Fortia Group and former investment banker at Morgan Stanley, to unpack how serious online acquisitions actually get done in the $10M to $100M range.

After 25 years in M&A, Emmet pulls back the curtain on what separates institutional buyers from everyday acquirers, and why trying to “figure it out yourself” is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make.

You’ll learn:
The 3-stage “Flirt, Date, Marry” framework elite dealmakers use to build acquisition relationships years before a deal closes
Why the best buyers pitch sellers, and how to create a buyer deck that makes founders want you
The real funding structures used by strategics, private equity, aggregators, and search funds
What’s changed since the 2021 acquisition boom, and why 100% upfront deals are basically extinct
The truth about earn-outs (and why most are designed for buyers, not sellers)
Why recurring revenue businesses command premium multiples, and how valuation arbitrage actually works
How to transition from operator to owner so you can think strategically and fund bigger moves

This is not theory. This is how real capital allocators think.

If you want to understand how serious acquirers finance deals, structure terms, protect downside, and build relationships that lead to eight- and nine-figure exits, this episode is your behind-the-scenes briefing.

If you’re planning to buy, sell, or scale an online business and want to understand how institutional-level M&A actually works, hit the “Play” button.

 

Episode Highlights

03:12 Why Even $10M Buyers Shouldn’t Go It Alone

05:08 The “Flirt, Date, Marry” Framework for Closing Bigger Deals

08:41 How Smart Buyers Pitch Sellers (And Win Trust Fast)

12:06 The Truth About Earn-Outs (And Why Sellers Should Be Careful)

18:47 The Three Types of Institutional Buyers in the $10M–$100M Range

23:55 Why Recurring Revenue Changes Everything in Valuation

28:36 The Strategic Conversations That Should Happen Before Price Is Discussed

35:44 From Operator to Owner: Making the Shift to Strategic Thinking

40:27 Building an Advisory Board That Actually Moves the Needle





Key Takeaways

➥ Buying a $10M–$100M online business is as much about relationships and strategy as it is about money.

➥ Use the “Flirt, Date, Marry” framework: build trust early, share information progressively, and finalize only when both sides are aligned.

➥ Strong buyers actively pitch sellers—your experience, vision, and team matter just as much as your capital.

➥ Typical deal structures include 60–80% upfront with the balance via earn-outs, equity rollover, or milestone-based deferred payments.

➥ Structuring earn-outs around revenue, not profit, reduces disputes and protects long-term relationships.

➥ Recurring revenue businesses (SaaS, subscriptions, memberships) command higher multiples and offer more predictable financing.

➥ Advisory panels and mentors accelerate decision-making, reduce risk, and boost credibility with sellers.

➥ Transitioning from operator to owner requires delegation, trust, and strategic focus over day-to-day management.

➥ Patience, preparation, and network-building are the hidden factors that make or break acquisition success.

 

About Emmet Kilduff

Emmet Kilduff is the Founder of The Fortia Group, an M&A advisory firm specializing in the sale of eCommerce brands and digital agencies. With a background at leading Wall Street investment banks including Morgan Stanley, Emmet brings institutional-level M&A, valuation, and deal-structuring expertise to small and mid-market online businesses. 

Through Fortia, he has advised founders, buyers, and investors on acquisitions across the UK, US, and international markets, helping them navigate financing, positioning, and exits with professional rigor. 

On this episode of the Buying Online Businesses Podcast, Emmet shares how sophisticated buyers think about funding acquisitions, structuring deals, and avoiding the common mistakes that derail first-time online business buyers.

 

Connect with Emmet Kilduff

➥ https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmettkilduff/

➥ https://thefortiagroup.com/  

 

Resource Links

➥ Connect with Jaryd here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarydkrause

➥ Buying Online Businesses Website - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com

➥ Download the Due Diligence Framework - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/freeresources/

➥ Sell your business to us here - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/sell-your-business/

➥ Google Ads Service - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/ads-services/

 

Buy & Sell Online Businesses Here (Top Website Brokers We Use) 🔥

➥ Empire Flippers - https://bit.ly/3RtyMkE

➥ Flippa - https://bit.ly/3wGa8r5

➥ Motion Invest - https://bit.ly/3YmJAmO

➥ Investors Club - https://bit.ly/3ZpgioR


*This post may contain affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site/posts at no additional cost to you.

Buying a $10M&ndash;$100M online business isn&rsquo;t just about having capital. It&rsquo;s about relationships, structure, leverage, and knowing how the game is really played behind closed doors.
In this episode, Jaryd Krause sits down with Emmet Kilduff, founder of The Fortia Group and former investment banker at Morgan Stanley, to unpack how serious online acquisitions actually get done in the $10M to $100M range.
After 25 years in M&amp;A, Emmet pulls back the curtain on what separates institutional buyers from everyday acquirers, and why trying to &ldquo;figure it out yourself&rdquo; is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make.
You&rsquo;ll learn:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">The 3-stage &ldquo;Flirt, Date, Marry&rdquo; framework elite dealmakers use to build acquisition relationships years before a deal closes</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why the best buyers pitch sellers, and how to create a buyer deck that makes founders want you</li>
<li aria-level="1">The real funding structures used by strategics, private equity, aggregators, and search funds</li>
<li aria-level="1">What&rsquo;s changed since the 2021 acquisition boom, and why 100% upfront deals are basically extinct</li>
<li aria-level="1">The truth about earn-outs (and why most are designed for buyers, not sellers)</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why recurring revenue businesses command premium multiples, and how valuation arbitrage actually works</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to transition from operator to owner so you can think strategically and fund bigger moves</li>
</ul>
This is not theory. This is how real capital allocators think.
If you want to understand how serious acquirers finance deals, structure terms, protect downside, and build relationships that lead to eight- and nine-figure exits, this episode is your behind-the-scenes briefing.
If you&rsquo;re planning to buy, sell, or scale an online business and want to understand how institutional-level M&amp;A actually works, hit the &ldquo;Play&rdquo; button.
&nbsp;
Episode Highlights
03:12 Why Even $10M Buyers Shouldn&rsquo;t Go It Alone
05:08 The &ldquo;Flirt, Date, Marry&rdquo; Framework for Closing Bigger Deals
08:41 How Smart Buyers Pitch Sellers (And Win Trust Fast)
12:06 The Truth About Earn-Outs (And Why Sellers Should Be Careful)
18:47 The Three Types of Institutional Buyers in the $10M&ndash;$100M Range
23:55 Why Recurring Revenue Changes Everything in Valuation
28:36 The Strategic Conversations That Should Happen Before Price Is Discussed
35:44 From Operator to Owner: Making the Shift to Strategic Thinking
40:27 Building an Advisory Board That Actually Moves the Needle
 
Key Takeaways
➥ Buying a $10M&ndash;$100M online business is as much about relationships and strategy as it is about money.
➥ Use the &ldquo;Flirt, Date, Marry&rdquo; framework: build trust early, share information progressively, and finalize only when both sides are aligned.
➥ Strong buyers actively pitch sellers&mdash;your experience, vision, and team matter just as much as your capital.
➥ Typical deal structures include 60&ndash;80% upfront with the balance via earn-outs, equity rollover, or milestone-based deferred payments.
➥ Structuring earn-outs around revenue, not profit, reduces disputes and protects long-term relationships.
➥ Recurring revenue businesses (SaaS, subscriptions, memberships) command higher multiples and offer more predictable financing.
➥ Advisory panels and mentors accelerate decision-making, reduce risk, and boost credibility with sellers.
➥ Transitioning from operator to owner requires delegation, trust, and strategic focus over day-to-day management.
➥ Patience, preparation, and network-building are the hidden factors that make or break acquisition success.
&nbsp;
About Emmet Kilduff
Emmet Kilduff is the Founder of The Fortia Group, an M&amp;A advisory firm specializing in the sale of eCommerce brands and digital agencies. With a background at leading Wall Street investment banks including Morgan Stanley, Emmet brings institutional-level M&amp;A, valuation, and deal-structuring expertise to small and mid-market online businesses.&nbsp;
Through Fortia, he has advised founders, buyers, and investors on acquisitions across the UK, US, and international markets, helping them navigate financing, positioning, and exits with professional rigor.&nbsp;
On this episode of the Buying Online Businesses Podcast, Emmet shares how sophisticated buyers think about funding acquisitions, structuring deals, and avoiding the common mistakes that derail first-time online business buyers.
&nbsp;
Connect with Emmet Kilduff
➥ <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmettkilduff/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmettkilduff/</a>
➥ <a href="https://thefortiagroup.com/">https://thefortiagroup.com/</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Resource Links
➥ Connect with Jaryd here -<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarydkrause"> https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarydkrause </a>➥ Buying Online Businesses Website -<a href="https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/"> https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com</a>
➥ Download the Due Diligence Framework -<a href="https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/freeresources/"> https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/freeresources/ </a>➥ Sell your business to us here -<a href="https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/sell-your-business/"> https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/sell-your-business/</a>
➥ Google Ads Service -<a href="https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/ads-services/"> https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/ads-services/</a>
&nbsp;
Buy &amp; Sell Online Businesses Here (Top Website Brokers We Use) 🔥
➥ Empire Flippers -<a href="https://bit.ly/3RtyMkE"> https://bit.ly/3RtyMkE</a>
➥ Flippa -<a href="https://bit.ly/3wGa8r5"> https://bit.ly/3wGa8r5</a>
➥ Motion Invest -<a href="https://bit.ly/3YmJAmO"> https://bit.ly/3YmJAmO </a>➥ Investors Club -<a href="https://bit.ly/3ZpgioR"> https://bit.ly/3ZpgioR</a>
 *This post may contain affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site/posts at no additional cost to you.

Why A Financial Advisor Bought 12 Content Websites with Michael Dinich

In 1 playlist(s)

Buying Online Businesses Podcast

Follow podcast

Recent clips