How Lee Smith Bought a Business with $1 (And How You Can Do It, Too)

What if you could buy a business without spending a single dollar of your own money? Lee Smith has done it over 20 times, and he's here to break down exactly how. 

Michelle sits down with Lee Smith, a business acquisition professional. Lee has bought, sold, and invested in over 27 companies across his career, building a portfolio of seven businesses doing $40 million in revenue, all without putting a penny of his own capital on the line. He unpacks the roll-up strategy that's quietly making blue-collar businesses some of the most attractive acquisition targets in today's AI-disrupted economy.

Whether you're a business owner, an entrepreneur, or someone who's wondering how the deals actually get done, Lee pulls back the curtain on all of it. From buying a company with bad debt and turning it profitable in weeks, to what private equity actually looks for in a roll-up, this conversation is packed with the kind of real-world deal-making wisdom you won't find in a business school textbook.

Chapters
[Start] Guest Introduction: Michelle introduces Lee Smith, who shares his background in business acquisition.
04:21 The No-Money-Down Roll-Up Strategy: Lee’s strategy for buying businesses and maximizing profits.
13:20 Industries Built to Last: The industries that are big and will continue to grow in the future, according to Lee.
19:48 What Makes a Business Roll-Up Ready: The top three things that make a company attractive for a roll-up strategy.
28:02 The Most Rascal Thing: The most rascal thing Lee has done in business, and a wrap-up for the episode.

Links & Resources

Connect with Lee Smith

Visit Lee's Website

Connect with Lee Smith on LinkedIn

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