Podcast:Acquiring Minds Published On: Thu Feb 12 2026 Description: In addition to buying his own business, Evan DiLeonardi trades buy-side services for equity in other SMB acquisitions.Topics in Evan’s interview:Entering the Airbnb spaceJoining Ben Kelly’s acquisition groupBuying a commercial cleaning businessBeing a remote “workaholic”Realizing he bought a business in distressFirst year in survival modeGetting a team of great managers in placeHis “Equity in Kind” partner modelEnjoying search more than operationsBuilding a holding companyReferences and how to contact Evan:LinkedInQuality Cleaning ServiceGail Hamilton Azodo on Acquiring Minds: Buying to $4m Across 7 Sites in 3 YearsMeridian Peak CapitalWork with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:Pioneer Capital AdvisoryGet a complimentary IT audit of your target business:Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcherGet a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):Book a call with Tim or hello@systemsix.com and mention Acquiring MindsConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton RohozovProduced by Pam Cameron