ABOUT THIS EPISODE
In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa sit down with Antoine Campbell, founder of CEO 929 Business Solutions, to talk about building the back end of a service business so it's ready to scale, take on capital, or sell. Antoine has been a full-time entrepreneur since 2013, starting with a tag and title agency that grew to three locations, then moving into real estate before launching CEO 929 to build marketing systems, custom CRMs, and software for established service businesses.
The conversation covers the low-hanging marketing fruit most new owners miss, why recurring revenue should be the first lever you pull, and a real case study: an AI-powered quoting and checkout tool built for a plumber who specializes in hot water heaters. Antoine also shares how he's now applying that playbook to acquisitions through his new firm, Maurant Ventures including an automated underwriting system and a three-part strategy for sourcing deals directly from sellers.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Why understanding your customer and increasing lifetime value comes before spending more on acquisition
- Turning one-off customers into recurring revenue with continuity offers, from plumbing maintenance plans to flat-rate slow-day pricing at a barbershop
- Moving off generic, out-of-the-box software and building custom CRMs and lead-capturing tools tailored to the business
- A case study: an AI tool that scans a water heater's data plate, recommends replacements, and gives customers an all-in, out-the-door price they can pay on the spot
- Building an automated underwriting system that screens deals for seasonality, cash reserves, and treasury management before you sink weeks into them
- Three ways to source deals: marketplace scanning, direct-to-seller outreach drawn from real estate, and an education funnel for owners who aren't yet ready (or financeable) to sell
Guest Contact Information
Antoine Campbell
Founder, CEO 929 Business Solutions
Website: ceo929.com
Instagram: @ceo929
Additional Resources
Thinking about buying a business? Connect with the Equity Launchpad team to learn more about acquisition entrepreneurship and upcoming opportunities.
Contact Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa: info@equity-launchpad.com
Explore more: https://www.equity-launchpad.com
About The M&A Launchpad:
The M&A Launchpad provides insights into acquiring, investing in, and selling profitable businesses in the lower to middle market. Whether you are a business owner, investor, or aspiring entrepreneur, we will provide you with the knowledge, guidance, and capital to navigate the world of mergers and acquisitions.
The M&A Launchpad presents a series of weekly podcast episodes and hosts an annual M&A Launchpad Conference tailored to the M&A community.
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