What's Your Deal? | Business Buying, Business Acquisitions, Investing & Exit Strategies

From Government Job to Business Owner - Kevin Mizell

What's Your Deal? | Business Buying, Business Acquisitions, Investing & Exit Strategies

Show Notes

What does it really take to leave a stable career and step into business ownership? In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt sits down with Kevin Mizell, a former government construction engineer manager who walked away from a high-level career to buy a small business—right in the middle of the pandemic. Kevin shares the real, unfiltered truth about what it's like to go from a W2 job to owning a business. From taking on large debt for the first time, to navigating labor challenges, to realizing that "passive income" isn't what most people think—it's all here. If you've ever thought about leaving your W2 job and buying a business, this episode will challenge your assumptions and give you a grounded, real-world perspective on what it actually takes to succeed. This isn't theory. This is what it looks like in the real world.

Timestamps:

02:00 – Leaving a stable career for business ownership

06:00 – Early entrepreneurial thoughts and risk considerations

10:00 – Choosing the right business (and core competency)

13:00 – Navigating the acquisition process

18:00 – Transitioning into ownership

22:00 – Employee challenges and leadership realities

26:00 – Buying during COVID uncertainty

28:00 – Managing debt and financial pressure

31:00 – Work ethic, integrity, and long-term mindset

36:00 – Advice for aspiring business owners

41:00 – Working with brokers and evaluating deals

44:00 – The reality of "owning vs. working in" a business

47:00 – Gratitude and closing thoughts

Connect with Kevin Mizell

Email - [email protected]

Phone Number: 928-515-9663

Bennett Glass: https://www.bennettglassandmirror.com

Connect with Matt Uhler / Amped Success:

Instagram: @ampedsuccess

Website: ampedsuccess.com

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-uhler-a9896612/

Want to be a guest or sponsor an episode?

If you'd like to be a guest on What's Your Deal? or are interested in sponsoring an episode, reach out to: [email protected]

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