Dropping Bombs $60K Employee Bought a $4M Company - Here's How
Feb 26, 2026
Zach Burick, entrepreneur and CEO who bought D. S. Duggins Welding after working there on a $60K salary, shares his rise from poverty to owning a multi-million dollar operation. He explains acquiring the business using SBA loans and home equity. He also covers scaling operations, launching WesWy Beard Co. and Echelon Apparel, and why showing up in uncomfortable rooms accelerated growth.
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$60K Employee Bought A $4M Company
- Zach Burick bought D. S. Duggins Welding while earning a $60,000 salary by leveraging savings, an SBA loan, and a 100% HELOC on his house.
- He used a $36,000 bonus and every penny of savings, then took an SBA deal requiring ~10% down and exhausted reserves to close the acquisition.
Getting In Rooms Changes Your Career Trajectory
- Personal development and getting in rooms with successful people shifted Zach from employee to owner mindset.
- Following creators like Brad Lea, Ed Mylett, and Andy Frisella sparked questions about exit plans and taught him to pursue ownership over salary.
Use SBA Plus Local HELOC To Bridge Down Payment
- Use the SBA loan playbook and local lenders to finance small business acquisitions when you lack full cash down.
- Zach met an intermediary valuator, interviewed three banks, chose SBA financing, and secured a local credit union HELOC to cover shortfalls.