When Buying a Retail Business Makes Sense

April 7, 2025
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W

e all know that retail businesses are best to avoid.

But see if the business that today's guest acquired doesn't break the frame.

Ken Eyjolfson himself dismissed it at first.

Among other reasons, the store is called Mr. Liquidator.

"If you would have asked me if I would ever buy a business called Mr. Liquidator," says Ken, "I probably would have been like, there's absolutely no way."

But when he took a closer look, he found himself drawn to the almost $500k of SDE on nearly $2m in revenue.

The 700 5-star reviews on Google.

The 35,000 followers on Facebook.

The fact that this store was differentiated. Unlike your typical mattress store where you decide on a mattress then have it delivered to your house later, Mr. Liquidator is a warehouse. Mattresses are wrapped in plastic, in stacks, sold at a steep discount, and customers can walk out the store with one rather than waiting.

And, few employees make the whole operation work.

It's a very simple but unique business with a strong local following.

See what you think, and whether you agree that buying a store can indeed make sense.

Here's Ken Eyjolfson, owner of Mr. Liquidator.

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When Buying a Retail Business Makes Sense

Ken Eyjolfson looked at tons of businesses before deciding on a mattress outlet with $500k SDE and 700 5-star reviews.

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Key Takeaways

Introduction

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W

e all know that retail businesses are best to avoid.

But see if the business that today's guest acquired doesn't break the frame.

Ken Eyjolfson himself dismissed it at first.

Among other reasons, the store is called Mr. Liquidator.

"If you would have asked me if I would ever buy a business called Mr. Liquidator," says Ken, "I probably would have been like, there's absolutely no way."

But when he took a closer look, he found himself drawn to the almost $500k of SDE on nearly $2m in revenue.

The 700 5-star reviews on Google.

The 35,000 followers on Facebook.

The fact that this store was differentiated. Unlike your typical mattress store where you decide on a mattress then have it delivered to your house later, Mr. Liquidator is a warehouse. Mattresses are wrapped in plastic, in stacks, sold at a steep discount, and customers can walk out the store with one rather than waiting.

And, few employees make the whole operation work.

It's a very simple but unique business with a strong local following.

See what you think, and whether you agree that buying a store can indeed make sense.

Here's Ken Eyjolfson, owner of Mr. Liquidator.

About

Ken Eyjolfson

Ken Eyjolfson

Show Notes

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Ken Eyjolfson looked at tons of businesses before deciding on a mattress outlet with $500k SDE and 700 5-star reviews. 

Topics in Ken’s interview:

  • 8 years with the Soccer Shots franchise
  • Spending too long searching for the perfect deal
  • Buying a discount mattress retailer
  • How the Canadian mattress industry works
  • Buying from a “shady seller”
  • Getting the lowest wholesale mattress prices
  • Starting with a large Facebook following
  • Expanding through pop-up shops
  • Private equity acquiring mattress companies
  • Financing without the SBA

References and how to contact Ken:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

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