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Acquisition Ace Newsletter

“You just have to do it”

Watch the full breakdown of Brian’s brilliant business acquisition

Ben Kelly Ben KellyJanuary 16, 2026 · 2 min read
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“You just have to do it. Accountability takes you a lot further in life.”

That’s what Brian told me after closing on a niche trailer manufacturing company for $125K - a business originally listed at $420K!

Earlier this week, I shared a case study of Brian’s full deal breakdown.

Today, I’m giving you access to the complete video interview where he walks through exactly how he pulled it off.

(Brian got help from the Acquisition Ace community throughout this process, from finding the deal to closing it. We help members buy businesses with little to no money down. If you’re interested in learning more about how to secure your first business acquisition, book a call with my team here.)


3 key takeaways from our conversation:

1. Stand out from the crowd

Brian’s seller received 600+ responses to his listing, but only four people put real effort into their initial outreach.

Brian used ChatGPT to help craft a thoughtful email, and that ultimately helped him get a foot in the door.

2. Life circumstances can create opportunities

The 71-year-old seller had shelved the business after losing his wife and daughter in the same year.

Brian recognized the opportunity in this situation, and negotiated the price down by nearly 70%.

3. You don't need perfect conditions

Brian is Canadian (no SBA loans available) and still closed the deal with seller financing and $100K out of pocket.


This week's action item

Draft one personalized cold email to a business owner in your target industry, and use what made Brian’s work:

  • Show genuine interest
  • Reference specifics about their business
  • And explain why you are the right buyer

To hear the full story of exactly how Brian pulled this acquisition off…

Watch the full interview with him here.

Onward,

— Ben Kelly

P.S. Brian didn’t figure this out alone.

He joined the Acquisition Ace community, and got access to mentorship, deal feedback, and a community of 2,000+ members all working toward the same goal.

If you want that same support for your first acquisition…

👉 Schedule a call with our team here to see how the Acquisition Ace community could help you land your first business acquisition.


Ben Kelly, founder of Acquisition Ace
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