One Couple, 4 Kids, and a Business 3 Hours Away

ne of the themes you'll hear on Acquiring Minds is how the decision to buy a business needs to factor in a romantic partner and sometimes a family.

In today's interview with Gabe and Kristen Perez, that theme is the story.

Gabe and Kristen were both frustrated by the state of their professional lives.

Gabe was deeply disillusioned by corporate life after pouring himself into his company and his team, only to be forced to lay them off when the company's fortunes turned.

Meanwhile Kristen, having paused her career for 10 years to be at home with the kids, was ready to rejoin the workforce but finding scant options to do so in a way that made sense.

Speaking of kids, the couple has 4, and the prospect of putting them all through college loomed.

Finally, behind all of this was the impulse, not to merely pay the bills, but to build some wealth for the family and their kids.

Buying a business addressed all these issues — even when the business they ultimately acquired is 3 hours away. (We spend time on how they've made that work, and that there are even some benefits to it.)

Another thing you've heard from guests is that they decide to buy a business and become an entrepreneur early in their domestic lives — before they're planning to have a family, or when a baby is on the way, or when their kids are still very young.

They say things like, I felt like if I didn't do it now, I'd never be able to do it.

Well today's story shows not just that it can be done in a big family with 4 mature kids, but indeed that it was the solution for a husband & wife who sought autonomy, more financial resources, and self-actualization.

Please enjoy this interview with Gabe and Kristen Perez, owners of Refrigerated Structures of New England.