How to Build a Roll-Up to 8-Figure Revenue | Nathan Lindley Interview
How to Build a Roll-Up to 8-Figure Revenue | Nathan Lindley Interview  
Podcast: Buyers and Builders
Published On: Mon Jul 06 2026
Description: Nathan Lindley is the CEO of Lindley Home Services, an HVAC platform that has completed 11 acquisitions across Texas.But this story almost ended before it began...After acquiring his first two companies with an SBA loan, Nathan watched revenue collapse, burned through his cash, nearly lost his father's retirement savings and came dangerously close to bankruptcy. The turning point was  a complete rethink of incentives, compensation, and how to build an acquisition platform that actually compounds.In this conversation, Nathan shares the brutal reality behind his first acquisitions, the lessons that reshaped his operating philosophy, and why he now believes buying a business is really about buying opportunities—not revenue.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction: Nathan's 11 acquisitions and $16M run-rate HVAC platform00:25 The acquisition timeline: from the first deal in 2020 to acquisition #1101:24 From Christian book publishing to buying HVAC businesses03:55 Selling real estate to fund the first acquisition04:33 Buying a one-technician HVAC company—and the costly assumptions that followed07:58 Losing 40% of revenue almost immediately after closing10:26 Acquisition #2 makes every problem much bigger11:20 Running out of cash—twice14:18 The decision to put everyone on commission15:15 Every employee quits on the same day16:21 The Indeed hire who changed the entire business18:59 The emotional toll: fear, alcohol, and nearly going bankrupt23:13 One technician outperforms the rest of the company25:52 Why Nathan waited a full year before doing acquisition #327:00 Acquisitions #3 and #4—and buying businesses the second time around28:46 How his M&A due diligence completely changed29:30 The "buying at-bats" framework for acquisitions33:08 Why Lindley spends almost nothing on marketing34:15 Turning acquired customer databases into new revenue36:27 Hiring exceptional technicians and building repeatable systems37:35 The company today: 50 employees across three markets39:13 How Lindley integrates acquired businesses42:38 Teaching acquired technicians to double their income43:17 The acquisitions that didn't work—and why46:47 Planning an exit and doing it all over again49:04 Where to connect with NathanThis podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.