The Power of Mentorship in My Acquisition Journey: Defining Criteria & Building Deal Flow

When I first set out on my entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA) journey, I knew I needed guidance. Buying a business is a major financial and life decision, and I wanted to ensure I was taking the right steps from the very beginning. That’s why I sought out a coach and mentor—someone who had successfully walked this path before and could help me avoid common mistakes.

Through my mentor’s guidance, we built a strategic acquisition plan, defined my search criteria, and developed a system to generate both on-market and off-market deal flow. This has been a game-changer in streamlining my search and ensuring I focus on businesses that align with my goals.

Why Setting Your Acquisition Criteria First is Critical

One of the first lessons my mentor taught me was this: If you don’t know what you’re looking for, you’ll waste time evaluating deals that don’t fit.

It’s easy to get distracted by businesses that seem like “good deals” on the surface but don’t align with your long-term vision. That’s why setting my acquisition criteria first was the most important step before actively searching for businesses.

🔍 My Acquisition Criteria:
✅ Location: San Diego County, Riverside County, Orange County, CA
✅ Industry Focus:

• Pest Control

• Car Washes

• Plumbing Repair & Maintenance

• HVAC Repair & Maintenance

• Pool Cleaning & Maintenance

• Window Cleaning Services

• Residential or Commercial Cleaning Services

• Painting Companies

• Landscaping

• Other similar home service businesses

✅ Financials:

• Businesses generating between $250,000 - $750,000 in SDE/EBITDA

✅ Operational Efficiency:

• Preference for businesses with opportunities to optimize operations and grow through sales and marketing

• Businesses that have been in operation for more than 7 years

• Strong recurring revenue and steady growth

This structured approach allows me to quickly filter out businesses that don’t fit my investment thesis and focus only on those that align with my growth strategy.

Building a Strong Deal Flow System

Once I had my acquisition criteria set, the next step was to generate consistent deal flow. My mentor emphasized that finding great businesses to acquire requires a proactive search strategy—not just waiting for brokers to send listings.

Here’s how I’m sourcing deals:

1️⃣ On-Market Deals – I regularly review broker listings, business-for-sale websites, and industry-specific marketplaces to identify businesses that fit my criteria.

2️⃣ Off-Market Deals – This is where the real opportunity lies. I’ve built a direct outreach system that includes:

• Targeted direct mail campaigns to business owners in my industries.

• Email outreach to connect with owners considering an exit.

Below are other strategies that I need to incorporate to source deal flow and have deals always being sent my way:

• Networking at industry events and meetups to build relationships with business owners.

• Referrals from CPAs, attorneys, and other professionals who work with business owners preparing to sell.

3️⃣ Building Relationships with Business Brokers – While off-market deals are ideal, I’m also developing relationships with brokers specializing in home service businesses. By staying top of mind, I position myself as a serious buyer when the right deal comes along.

4️⃣ Leveraging Online Presence – By sharing my journey on LinkedIn, Facebook, and my website, I’m also attracting business owners who resonate with my approach and might be considering selling.

Lessons Learned So Far

🚀 1. Be Specific with Your Criteria – The more focused your search, the easier it is to evaluate deals efficiently.

🚀 2. Don’t Rely Solely on Brokers – The best deals are often found off-market, where there’s less competition.

🚀 3. Consistency is Key – Generating deal flow isn’t a one-time effort. It’s a continuous process of outreach, networking, and relationship-building.

🚀 4. Mentorship Speeds Up the Process – Having a mentor has helped me avoid common pitfalls and fast-track my acquisition journey.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next in My Search?

With my acquisition criteria set and my deal flow system in place, I’m now actively reviewing opportunities and connecting with business owners who are considering an exit. Every week, I’m analyzing financials, reaching out to sellers, and refining my strategy based on what I learn.

If you’re a business owner looking to transition, an investor interested in acquisitions, or someone simply passionate about entrepreneurship through acquisition, I’d love to connect!

📩 Contact Me: npamintuan1@gmail.com
🔗 Follow My Journey on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nick-pamintuan

🚀 Stay tuned—this is just the beginning!