0022 - The Critical Question Buyers Forget to Ask; From Someone Who Sold Two Businesses
Business Buying for Financial Independence
Release Date: 11/18/2025
Business Buying for Financial Independence
In this episode, Tim talks with Adam Schaeuble, entrepreneur, podcaster, and mentor who knows firsthand the cost of overwork and the value of building businesses around lifestyle freedom. Adam shares how pushing himself to the point of hospitalization forced him to rethink success, why generational expectations pushed him toward entrepreneurship, and how he balances “enough versus more” in his financial independence journey. He also opens up about his podcasting career, mentoring others in the space, and why creating impact-driven businesses matters more than chasing the biggest paycheck....
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Tim Delaney breaks down eight of the most common terms you’ll encounter when buying a small business — SDE, EBITDA, LOI, APA, escrow, SBA loans, seller financing, and working capital. If you’ve ever looked at a business-for-sale listing and felt like you were reading another language, this episode is your translator. Tim explains how these terms connect to real valuations and smarter deal-making so you can speak the broker’s language and protect yourself before signing anything. Tim is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should explore the opportunities that business and real estate...
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In this episode, Tim talks with Paul, a Canadian real estate investor and federal law enforcement officer who’s exploring his first business acquisition. Paul shares how he and his wife successfully invested in U.S. real estate despite being told it was “impossible,” why business ownership feels like the next natural step, and the unique challenges of navigating licensing, brokers, and cross-border deals. From private investigation firms to roofing businesses, Paul unpacks his search process, the importance of seller trust, and why respect for people’s time and relationships matters as...
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Michael Castaño is an entrepreneur and acquisition-minded business owner whose journey began with building an acoustic company from the ground up. Through that venture, he learned the realities of managing customers, navigating operations, and wearing every hat that a small business demands. When he later turned toward acquisitions, Michael brought those lessons with him — and discovered that persistence, credibility, and seller trust mattered as much as the numbers on paper. Along the way, he leaned heavily on mentorship and the broader acquisition community, finding that shared...
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We’ll walk through the real-world process of analyzing a laundromat deal, covering purchase price, cash flow, debt service, seller financing, and how to calculate a realistic return on investment. This solo episode dives into how small adjustments in structure can completely change your cash-on-cash return. Tim is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should explore the opportunities that business and real estate can provide on the path to financial freedom. He owns and operates a wine & liquor store, a software startup, a consulting company, and a growing portfolio of commercial and...
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In this episode, Tim talks with Grant Reigner, a commercial real estate investor and educator who sees powerful parallels between real estate and small business acquisitions. Grant unpacks why the much-hyped “silver tsunami” of baby boomer retirements isn’t as simple as the statistics make it sound, the gap between what’s marketed and what’s actually being bought, and the real challenges of finding operators for smaller service businesses. He also shares how underwriting, community-building, and long-term thinking in real estate have shaped his approach to business buying — and...
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In this episode, Tim talks with Tim Kolb, an entrepreneur who knows what it’s like to build a business from the ground up—only to realize the cost of chasing growth without balance. Tim Kolb shares the unfiltered story of how he and his wife grew their first business with no formal training, the emotional toll of burnout, and the decision to sell when life demanded a new chapter. He also dives into how that experience reshaped his approach to entrepreneurship and what he’s doing differently in his next ventures. Tim is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should explore the...
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In this solo episode, Tim Delaney breaks down the five red flags you need to watch for when evaluating small businesses for sale. From mysterious add-backs to shaky contractor structures, Tim explains how to separate real opportunity from risky deals—and how to spot warning signs before you’re locked in. Tim is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should explore the opportunities that business and real estate can provide on the path to financial freedom. He owns and operates a wine & liquor store, a software startup, a consulting company, and a growing portfolio of commercial and...
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In this episode, Tim talks with Brad Cornell, a seasoned entrepreneur and business buyer who brings a no‑nonsense perspective to acquiring and running small businesses. Brad doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges of business ownership—he dives into what it really takes to go from dreaming about buying a business to successfully running one. He shares how his journey reshaped his understanding of financial freedom, why courage and resilience are non‑negotiable, and the mindset shifts that separate successful buyers from those who burn out. Tim is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should...
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In this episode, Tim talks with Jason Orr, a real estate investor, business owner, and father of four from South Dakota. Jason shares how his path from buying rental properties led him to acquiring a window cleaning company and eventually a water restoration business. He dives deep into the challenges of seller negotiations, creative financing, and the emotional roller coaster of closing deals. Jason shares how he has used seller financing to purchase and sell busineses. Whether you’re curious about transitioning from real estate to business ownership or want practical insights on small...
info_outlineIn this episode, Tim talks with Adam Schaeuble, entrepreneur, podcaster, and mentor who knows firsthand the cost of overwork and the value of building businesses around lifestyle freedom. Adam shares how pushing himself to the point of hospitalization forced him to rethink success, why generational expectations pushed him toward entrepreneurship, and how he balances “enough versus more” in his financial independence journey.
He also opens up about his podcasting career, mentoring others in the space, and why creating impact-driven businesses matters more than chasing the biggest paycheck.
Tim is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should explore the opportunities that business and real estate can provide on the path to financial freedom. He owns and operates a wine & liquor store, a software startup, a consulting company, and a growing portfolio of commercial and residential real estate.
Tim’s passion for independent business has led him to support dozens of other business owners. For over a decade, he has worked with businesses on strategy, processes, finances, and marketing. These experiences, along with analyzing dozens of other businesses for potential acquisition, have provided Tim with an immense knowledge base to pull from.
Tim has appeared on multiple top-tier podcasts in the financial space, such as Bigger Pockets Money and The Freedom Chasers Podcast.
[00:00 – 15:10] Hitting Rock Bottom
Adam describes how he worked himself into the hospital and what it taught him about the limits of hustle.
[15:11 – 29:55] Generational Pushback
Stories of family urging him toward “safe jobs” like the police force — and how Adam proved he could succeed another way.
[29:56 – 47:30] Enough vs. More
Why Adam filters decisions through lifestyle design instead of chasing endless growth.
[47:31 – End] Podcasting, Mentorship & Impact
How Adam built a platform through podcasting, what he teaches others about audience-building, and why creating impact matters more than income.
Guest Bio
Adam Schaeuble is an entrepreneur, podcaster, and mentor who helps others build businesses and shows around lifestyle freedom. Known for his transparency and energy, Adam combines lessons from his own burnout and reinvention with practical strategies for podcast growth and financial independence.
If you found value in today’s show, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode packed with insights to help you buy and grow a business that creates real financial freedom.
Connect with Adam Schaeuble:
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Instagram: instagram.com/podcastingbusinessschool/
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Website: podcastingbusiness.school/
Connect with Tim and the community on social media for more tips and updates:
Website: https://www.powerofbiz.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@powerofbiz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timtdelaney/
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@timtdelaney
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothytdelaney/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timtdelaney
Tweetable Quotes:
“The first time I actually hired an employee was the day after I worked myself into the hospital.” – Adam Schaeuble
“Every time I saw my grandpa, he’d pull me aside and say, ‘there are openings at the police department.’ And I just wanted to show him my paycheck and say, look at this.” – Adam Schaeuble
“In the financial independence world, we have to filter everything through enough versus more.” – Adam Schaeuble
“My day-to-day schedule is more important to me than my actual monetary compensation.” – Adam Schaeuble