Business Buying Strategies from The Dealmaker's Academy

#344 Inner Circle Mambers Panel - Questions and Answers

13 snips

Feb 5, 2026

Guest

Lee, a serial acquirer who learned by buying jobs then building management teams. Johan, an Inner Circle member who times approaches by sector seasonality. Tim, an experienced dealmaker sharing first-deal and negotiation stories. They discuss persistence in sourcing, seller timing analogies, seasonal windows for outreach, scaling by hiring operators, and simple ownership structures.

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ANECDOTE

First Deal Closed After Nine Months

Tim signed HOTS within nine months of starting the program and completed the deal the following January after a long legal process.
He credits others like John Andrews for stepping in to close the transaction when needed.

INSIGHT

Seller Timing Is Random Like A Flyer

Seller readiness is like the Domino's leaflet: you can't predict the week they'll be receptive.
Being present consistently makes you the buyer they contact when timing aligns.

ADVICE

Buy To Solve Business Problems

Target sectors that feed your existing businesses or solve your problems like recruitment shortages.
Use acquisitions primarily to access trained staff and customers rather than only for revenue growth.

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In this special episode, you're invited to listen in on a live panel from one of Jonathan Jay's recent Mastermind events — featuring experienced Inner Circle members who have collectively bought dozens of businesses.

This is real talk from real dealmakers.

They've battled through first deals, discovered unexpected sectors, failed forward, negotiated smart structures — and now they're here to share what actually works.

Expect candid insights, live questions from the audience, and stories that will challenge the way you think about dealmaking.

In this panel episode, you'll hear:

✅ Why some people close deals after 9 letters — and others need 9,000

✅ The Domino's Pizza flyer analogy that explains seller timing

✅ How one letter arriving on a seller's birthday triggered a deal

✅ What not to do if you want to avoid buying yourself a job

✅ Why having a "sector" might not matter as much as you think

✅ The power of being the deal maker not the operator

✅ How one member grew to £20M in revenue through targeted acquisitions

✅ The truth about tax structures, holding companies and when to keep it simple

✅ The hidden benefits of buying a business — including instant access to teams, clients, and new energy

You'll also learn what separates the dabblers from the doers — and why mindset, patience, and smart support systems make all the difference.

Whether you're planning your first deal or your next ten, this behind-the-scenes panel offers valuable takeaways, practical strategies, and straight-talking wisdom.

Listen now and learn what experienced dealmakers wish they'd known at the start.

If you're serious about buying a business – and avoiding the mistakes Jonathan outlines – book a free Clarity Call with one of his team:

👉 dealmakers.co.uk/clarity

You'll get 15 minutes of expert insight to help you decide which next step is right for you – whether that's attending a Deal Club evening, joining the 3-day Foundation Programme, or stepping straight into the Mastermind.

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