oday's interview is the story of a business acquisition that ended in collapse, and how the protagonist is putting his professional life back together.

Joe Odell bought a compounding pharmacy business with his partner Jess Paterson via the traditional search fund model.

The fundamentals of the business seemed strong:

Demographic tailwinds, high-quality revenue, and good sized, with $20m of revenue and 100 employees.

But despite these hopeful signs, things went off the rails quickly once Joe and Jess took over.

And for the next 2 and a half years, Joe fought to keep the business alive.

Listen for Joe's thoughts on business complexity and the risk that represents a searcher.

Listen for the support he got from his wife, and how that freed him to focus.

And finally listen for how Joe is getting back on his feet today.

While these acquisition failures are devastating, even traumatic, if you fight like hell and take care of your stakeholders, people will see your grit and character and may present you new opportunities from which to rebuild.

Here is Joe Odell, former CEO of Pharmacy Specialists.