EP 125: How Circle City Capital Group Turns Overlooked Businesses Into Thriving Investments

What really makes a business attractive to buyers? Buyers weigh more than just financials. They consider risk, operations, and whether the business can run without you.

Colin King and Joe Van Deman, Principals at Circle City Capital Group, Inc., know this firsthand. They’ve built a portfolio of 15 companies by acquiring businesses that many others have overlooked. Colin, a CPA and CFA, and Joe, a former Google employee, bring complementary skills for buying and growing companies. Their perspective offers owners a rare look at how serious buyers evaluate opportunities and negotiate deals.

In this episode, you will:

• Hear how buyers assess both financial and emotional factors in a deal

• Learn what makes a business unappealing to buyers right away

• Find out what makes a partnership last through tough deals

Highlights:

(00:00) Meet Colin King and Joe Van Deman

(02:29) How a Craigslist ad launched their partnership

(07:37) Lessons from their first chaotic acquisition

(11:32) What makes a business partnership work

(15:50) How Circle City Capital Group is different from private equity

(23:08) Turning risky businesses into profitable opportunities

(33:03) Favorite companies in their portfolio

(36:13) What instantly turns buyers off during negotiations

(44:20) The changes that make businesses more sellable

Resources:

For past guests, please visit https://www.defendersofbusinessvalue.com/

Follow Colin:

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-king-cpa-cfa-37045a38/

Follow Joe: 

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joevandeman/

Check out their portfolio of companies:

Circle City Capital Group: http://circlecitycapitalgroup.com

Profit Mastery: http://profitmastery.net

The Vermont Flannel Company: https://www.vermontflannel.com/

Vermont Teddy Bear: https://vermontteddybear.com/

All American Clothing Co.: https://www.allamericanclothing.com/

Gusset Brand: https://gusset.com/

Silk Flower Depot: https://e-silkflowerdepot.com/

Dried Decor: https://www.drieddecor.com/

Montessori 'n Such: https://www.montessori-n-such.com/

Follow Ed:

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmysogland/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defendersofbusinessvalue/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bvdefenders