What does it look like to build a seven-figure business by accident and then use those lessons to build a $40 million company on purpose?

Meet Dan Demsky, CEO of Unbound Merino.

After building a successful service agency that left him feeling like a prisoner, Dan started over with a new vision - to create a profitable, scalable business that truly supported his freedom and lifestyle.

In this episode, you’ll hear how he used a smart crowdfunding strategy, obsessed over product quality, and built a successful company with his best friends - all while working from wherever he wanted.

In this episode:

• The key differences between a "service-based" and a "product-based" business model
• How to use a crowdfunding campaign to validate an idea, raise capital, and find your first 2,000 customers
• The "manufactured momentum" strategy that helped Unbound Merino exceed its funding goal by over 1,000%
• Why working with your best friends can be the best business decision you'll ever make
• How to build a profitable, multimillion-dollar brand without high overhead, a massive team, or an office
• Why obsessive product quality is the ultimate marketing strategy for a direct-to-consumer brand

Timestamps

00:01:42 – From a childhood snow-shoveling hustle to a seven-figure agency

00:06:05 – The shift from a service business to a product-based brand

00:08:15 – The "Aha!" moment that led to Unbound Merino

00:14:40 – A breakdown of the wildly successful crowdfunding strategy

00:21:00 – The biggest challenges and lessons from early fulfillment

00:24:20 – Why Dan believes working with your best friends is an amazing way to live

00:34:50 – The surprising strategy behind building a lean, efficient company

00:38:00 – The philosophy of a "lifestyle business" and its benefits

00:43:00 – Why obsessing over product quality is the best marketing

This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Jason Gillikin, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Walk West.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it look like to prepare a company for sale when you've just bought it? And what do buyers really care about when they’re looking to acquire?

That’s what Michael Haase and his brother, through their firm Think Global, do. And after preparing countless businesses for acquisition, they had the opportunity to put their own advice into practice when they bought - and then recently sold (with Website Closers' help) - the tech staffing company Quantix.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to grow a tech business by focusing on quality and deep relationships instead of competing on price
• The difference between running a business and "purpose-building" it for a future exit
• Why it’s crucial to have your financials and data room in order long before you decide to sell
• The importance of working with a broker you trust to vet buyers and navigate a complex, emotional process
• How one deal broke—and how having the right team in place saved the sale
• What buyers look for in a company, from its operational health to its team culture

Timestamps

00:01:40 – From Air Force tech to seasoned entrepreneur

00:03:52 – Starting his first company and taking the leap

00:06:58 – The decision to buy a business with his brother

00:08:00 – Helping other founders prepare for an acquisition

00:18:00 – Why Michael decided to use a broker

00:19:30 – How a broken deal almost ended the sale

00:22:20 – Why Michael’s team was his first priority during the sale

00:32:15 – What made QuantX so attractive to buyers

00:34:00 – How Michael and his brother celebrated the sale

00:35:20 – How to connect with Michael and Eric

This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Jason Gillikin, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Walk West.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From a childhood business selling painted buckeyes to a multi-million dollar loungewear brand, Kelly Degnan has always been a creative entrepreneur. She built Skivys Femme from a simple idea during the pandemic into a seven-figure success story, only to face a domain hack and an inventory crisis that threatened to derail it all.

In this episode, Kelly shares her rollercoaster journey, from bootstrapping her first business to making the tough decision to sell—even when her books weren't at their peak.

You’ll learn:

• How a simple problem during the pandemic turned into a seven-figure business
• The pros and cons of bootstrapping your brand to millions in revenue
• The devastating impact of a domain hack and how to protect your business
• Why "off-peak" sales seasons can present the biggest challenges
• How to find the right broker who will be a "therapist" through the emotional journey of selling
• The surprising benefits of a fast sale with a strategic buyer
• The joy of staying on with the new company and focusing only on the work you love

Timestamps:

00:01:00 – From a childhood side hustle to launching Skivys Femme

00:05:41 – Bootstrapping and finding the perfect overseas manufacturer

00:10:00 – How ad agencies and then a single expert helped drive massive growth

00:15:20 – The "Oh crap" moment: a domain hack and inventory crisis

00:20:41 – Why Kelly started exploring an exit

00:23:05 – Eric Pittman's initial advice on selling and when the timing is right

00:27:00 – The benefits of selling to a strategic buyer

00:28:03 – Staying on and focusing on the roles you love

00:29:19 – Kelly's advice for other business owners thinking about an exit

00:32:41 – Introducing her new brand, Vital Youth Blends (Vibe)

00:37:34 – How Kelly celebrated the sale with her son

For 30% off from Kelly's new product, go to https://www.vitalyouthblends.com/ and use promo code VIBE30.

This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Jason Gillikin, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Walk West.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.