ark Olivito bought a sub-million, barely-profitable, project-based construction business with serious key-person risk.

As he says, "We check off every box of what NOT to buy."

Why'd he do it?

First, a bias toward action. He couldn't see himself sitting in front of a screen for 2 years, searching, searching, searching.

Second, he saw the business as an uncut gem with a vast, untapped market.

Professionalizing the business, reinvesting earnings, and building awareness seemed like a winning formula for a long-term hold.

5 years later, he's tripled the business, with faster growth around the corner.

In addition to his story, Mark and I spend time talking about the hard truths of small business ownership.

He is vocal about the dirt-under-the-fingernails nature of this beast, and often finds the culture of ETA too academic.

It's a theme you hear on Acquiring Minds again and again and will continue to.

As enthusiastic as I am about this path, it is imperative to be clear-eyed about the weight of it.

Finally, long-term holding, another theme I love.

Like Chenmark in Maine or Chase Murdock's Decada Group in Salt Lake City, Mark celebrates not exits, but cash flows. Not IRR, but endurance.

He's five years into this business, and only just getting started.

This was such a fun interview with Mark. Make sure you check out his podcast Hustle or Bust if you want more of him.

Here he is Mark Olivito, owner of PAVERART.