Growth By Acquisition Mistakes To Avoid with Michael Vann

Buying Online Businesses Podcast

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In this sharp and savvy episode, host Jaryd Krause welcomes M&A heavyweight Michael Vann—President of the Vann Group and Principal at Eaton Square—for a deep dive into the brilliant… and brutally expensive mistakes entrepreneurs make when trying to grow through acquisition.

With 25+ years of deal-making, scaling, and succession planning, Michael’s been in the trenches guiding businesses to multi-million dollar exits across industries from manufacturing to online empires. He’s seen it all—and he’s here to share what not to do when chasing growth.

Spoiler: Buying three businesses in six months with zero integration strategy? That’s not scaling. That’s self-sabotage.

In this no-fluff convo, you’ll learn:

✔️ The explosive difference between a strategic buyer and a chaotic cowboy

✔️ Why some acquisitions implode and drain value instead of adding it

✔️ How to prep your current business to absorb acquisitions without blowing it up

✔️ The secret to thinking beyond the buy—to integration and exit strategy

✔️ How to build a business so irresistible that even your competitors want to buy it
If you’ve ever thought, “Maybe I’ll just buy another business and double my revenue,” you need to hear this.

🎧 Tune in now to learn how to grow through acquisition… without blowing up your business in the process.

Episode Highlights

06:30 – The importance of understanding the buyer’s mindset, especially when preparing to exit your business.

08:45 – Common reasons businesses fail to sell — including overvaluation, poor documentation, and lack of transferable leadership.

11:20 – Why “deal fever” can cloud entrepreneurs’ judgment and lead to bad acquisitions.

14:10 – Cultural fit and leadership alignment: often the real reasons integrations fail after a deal.

22:50 – Lessons learned from failed deals and red flags to look out for before signing.

26:30 – Strategic vs. opportunistic acquisitions — why clarity in intent is key.

28:45 – How to prepare your business for exit years in advance, including systemization and leadership planning.

Key Takeaways

➥ Being selective is critical—just because an opportunity arises doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for your business or your life.

➥ The buyer’s perspective matters—sellers must see their business through the lens of the acquirer: is it transferable? sustainable? well-documented?

➥ Leadership and culture are make-or-break factors in post-acquisition integration. Without the right leadership in place, the acquired business often struggles.

➥ Deal fever is real—don’t let excitement override discipline. Stick to your acquisition criteria and due diligence process.

➥ Exiting a business is a long game—the most successful exits come from those who plan years, building systems and leadership teams that can thrive without the founder.

➥ Avoiding mistakes means preparation, patience, and perspective—take your time, ask the right questions, and align your acquisitions with long-term strategy.

About Michael Vann

Michael Vann is the President of The Vann Group, a family-owned firm that provides strategic consulting and transactional advisory services to privately held businesses. With over 25 years of experience, Michael helps owners scale, plan for succession, and maximize value.

He’s also a principal at Eaton Square, a global investment banking firm, and a certified Predictable Success Scale Architect. Michael has advised on deals up to $50 million across industries like manufacturing, services, construction, and hospitality.

He’s the co-author of Buying Out the Boss and the forthcoming High Performing Value, and frequently speaks on value building and business transitions.

Michael lives in South Hadley, Massachusetts, with his wife, two daughters, and one unruly pup.

Connect with Michael Vann

➥https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelvann/

➥www.vann-group.com

Resource Links

➥ Connect with Jaryd here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarydkrause
➥ Buying Online Businesses Website - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com

➥ Sell your business to us here - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/sell-your-business/

➥ Download the Due Diligence Framework - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/freeresources/

➥ Google Ads Service - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/ads-services/

➥ Cloud Ways (Website Hosting) - https://bit.ly/40tjyjG

➥ SEM Rush (SEO tool) - https://bit.ly/3lINGaV

➥ Ezoic (Ad Network) - https://bit.ly/3NuVR5P

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➥ Empire Flippers - https://bit.ly/3RtyMkE

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➥ Motion Invest - https://bit.ly/3YmJAmO
➥ Investors Club - https://bit.ly/3ZpgioR

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