New Podcast: He Acquired a Fuel Equipment Maintenance Business. 3 Years Later, Investors Forced Him Out.

Hello SMB Deal Hunters!

I’m excited to share a new interview with Emmanuel Lopez, a former banker who took the leap into entrepreneurship by acquiring a fuel systems maintenance business with a partner and investors.

Nearly three years later, he was asked to leave.

While rare, this scenario can happen to any business buyer. In our conversation, Emmanuel shares the key lessons he learned—the red flags, the surprises, and what he’d do differently next time.

Today's issue is sponsored by SMB Diligence, the platform I helped start for matching business buyers with vetted legal counsel and Quality of Earnings providers.

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INTERVIEW

In the interview with Emmanuel, we discuss:

• His decision to leave behind corporate politics and an unfulfilling career to pursue acquisition entrepreneurship

• What makes the fuel maintenance business such an intriguing and overlooked industry

• The hidden profit drivers in fuel maintenance that truly make money

• How he closed the deal with minimal personal capital by bringing in a group of 3 investors

• The transition from a white-collar background into a hands-on, blue-collar business

• Why rapid sales growth didn’t immediately translate to higher profits—and the hard lessons learned

• The surprising turn of events that led to his departure, even as the business hit record-breaking profits

• Why, despite the challenges, he’s gearing up for another acquisition

• And more!

👉 Watch the full 47-minute interview with Emmanuel

PRESENTED BY SMB DILIGENCE

Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Skip Due Diligence…

A friend of mine put a business under LOI and asked me for my advice.

I recommended he contract a 3rd party due diligence partner to rebuild the company's P&L from scratch.

Turns out their EBITDA was off by 2x 😳

Enter SMB Diligence.

SMB Diligence is the platform I helped start for matching business buyers with vetted diligence providers, from M&A lawyers to Quality of Earnings providers.

Their network of experts has worked on hundreds of small business transactions (including many from the SMB Deal Hunter community).

👉 Get introduced to due diligence experts today

COMMUNITY PERKS

• Want to invest passively in SMB acquisitions? Get access to investment opportunities.

• Get a personal introduction to my preferred SBA 7(a) lender, non-SBA lenders, Quality of Earnings providers, or legal counsel

• Raising capital for your deal? I’ll connect you with investors from the SMB Deal Hunter Community.

• Interested in selling your business? I’ll help you connect with buyers from the SMB Deal Hunter Community.

THAT’S A WRAP

Want me to interview you for my podcast? Hit reply.

See you tomorrow with some new deals!

-Helen Guo
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Disclaimer

This publication is a newsletter only and the information provided herein is the opinion of our editors and writers only. Any transaction or opportunity of any kind is provided for information only; SMB Deal Hunter does not verify nor confirm information. SMB Deal Hunter is not making any offer to readers to participate in any transaction or opportunity described herein.