t wasn't until an hour into the interview with today's guest that I learned perhaps the biggest detail of all to his story:

Dominick Blue bought an air duct cleaning business… while keeping his W-2.

The vast majority of Acquiring Minds guests become the full-time owner-operator when they buy a business.

It's hard enough to pull off a successful transition without the distraction of a day job.

That said, there are benefits to this model, chief among them that you don't depend on the business as your livelihood.

That income from your salary means you can put all the cash coming out of your newly-acquired business back into it to improve & grow it. A salary also cushions you financially, should revenue dip or you go through a particularly deep or long J-curve.

Also, here in the States, health insurance. Dominick had a baby on the way, so maintaining coverage was paramount.

Interestingly, having so much on his plate did not deter Dominick from making big moves within his new business, including a second acquisition to take the business in a new strategic direction.

We also spend time on Dominick's hiring of an operator, who was meant to ease his time obligations but unfortunately didn't work out. Listen for what he learned there and how he dealt with it.

And if you'd like another story of an acquisition entrepreneur buying a business, installing an operator, and keeping his W-2, see episode 142 with Matthew Saskin, who bought a $5m towing business using this model.

That episode with Matthew happens to be the most-listened-to across the entire Acquiring Minds catalog. You all are clearly drawn to this idea.

And I get the appeal.

Well enjoy hearing how Dominick is doing it. Here he is, Dominick Blue, owner of Air ASAP.