The SMB Investor

In this episode, Sean Smith sits down with Dylan Gans, founder of Baton, to discuss how technology is transforming the way small businesses are bought and sold.
Drawing from his entrepreneurial background and experience selling a startup to Aramark, Dylan shares why he believes millions of small businesses need better succession solutions and how Baton is modernizing the traditionally fragmented business brokerage industry.
The conversation explores why relationships matter more than ever in acquisitions, how buyers can improve their chances of closing deals, why many owners have unrealistic expectations about valuation, and how Baton combines technology with experienced M&A advisors to simplify the entire transaction process.
Sean and Dylan also discuss:
Why millions of small businesses will change hands over the next decade
The "Silver Tsunami" creating unprecedented acquisition opportunities
Common mistakes first-time buyers make
Why passive ownership is often an unrealistic expectation
Building trust between buyers and sellers
Off-market opportunities and Baton's valuation-first approach
How AI is changing white-collar work—and why entrepreneurship may become even more important
Lessons learned from hundreds of small business transactions
00:00 Introduction to Innovative Brokerage Solutions
01:13 Dylan Gans' Entrepreneurial Journey
04:22 Bridging Technology with Traditional Brokerage
10:03 Understanding the Value of Business Valuation
15:14 Enhancing Buyer-Seller Relationships
19:44 Exploring Off-Market Deal Dynamics
22:40 Understanding Seller Expectations
27:20 Building Trust in Buyer-Seller Relationships
29:52 Common Buyer Pitfalls
37:12 Real-Life Examples of Thoughtful Engagement
41:44 The Call to Action for Future Buyers
Whether you're an entrepreneur, search fund operator, acquisition entrepreneur, investor, or simply interested in buying your first business, this conversation offers valuable insights into today's SMB acquisition landscape.
If you enjoyed this interview, be sure to subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, and operators shaping the future of small business acquisitions.
📩 Connect with the speakers:
Dylan Gans: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-gans/
Baton: https://www. baton.com
Sean Smith LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-smith-47ab2a70/
SMB Investor Network: https://www.smbinvestornetwork.com/
Leave your thoughts or questions in the comments—we'd love to hear your perspective.

How do you go from running a family-owned home healthcare agency to building a technology-enabled acquisition platform?
In this episode, Sean Smith, Managing Partner at Search Fund Ventures and Founder of SMB Investor Network, sits down with Karl Pierre, Founder of Aidbook Holdings, to discuss his unique journey from helping grow his family's healthcare business to over $10 million in annual revenue to launching a roll-up strategy focused on acquiring home healthcare agencies.
Karl shares how conversations with private equity buyers completely changed the way he viewed business growth and valuation. Instead of selling, he decided to build his own acquisition platform—leveraging industry expertise, proprietary software, and strategic acquisitions to create long-term value.
In this conversation, you'll learn:
00:00 The Journey Begins: From Family Business to Tech-Enabled Growth
05:13 Acquisition Strategy: Growing Through Consolidation
10:39 Tech Enablement: Building Solutions for the Future
16:11 Deal-Making Insights: Cash is King
21:26 Navigating Challenges: Lessons from Failed Deals
26:37 The Future of Home Care: Opportunities Ahead
Whether you're an SMB investor, searcher, healthcare entrepreneur, or acquisition entrepreneur, this episode offers practical insights into building value through acquisitions and technology.
If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe for more interviews with experienced operators, investors, and acquisition entrepreneurs.
Leave your thoughts or questions in the comments—we'd love to hear your perspective.
📩 Connect with the speakers:
Karl Pierre LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karl-pierre-63028052/
Aaidebook: https://www.aaidebook.com/
Sean Smith LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-smith-47ab2a70/
SMB Investor Network: https://www.smbinvestornetwork.com/

Anthony Macleod shares his journey from entrepreneur to Pinnacle Business Guide, emphasizing the transformative power of business operating systems like EOS and Pinnacle. Discover how implementing these systems can drive focus, improve team alignment, and significantly increase enterprise value.

Tivan Amour shares his journey from being a serial entrepreneur to working with ETA (Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition) entrepreneurs. He discusses the importance of grit, patience, and the right mindset in entrepreneurship, as well as the transferable skills from startups to ETA. Tivan emphasizes the significance of sales strategies, experimentation, and building effective sales teams. He also provides insights for investors on assessing sales and growth potential in ETA entrepreneurs and the importance of systems in driving growth.

In this conversation, Lisa Piercey shares her journey from being a physician to becoming a successful business buyer in the healthcare sector. She emphasizes the importance of industry experience in making successful acquisitions and building trust with stakeholders. Lisa discusses her approach to evaluating potential investments, structuring deals, and mitigating risks. She also highlights the emotional aspects of business buying and offers insights from her book, 'Natural Born Entrepreneurs,' which serves as a guide for mid-career professionals considering entrepreneurship through acquisition.