Podcast

Welcome to another episode of Invest & Scale! In this conversation, Gabriel Murillo sits down with Miller Hilliard of Surety Bond Solutions, a Baton Rouge surety agency serving construction companies across the Gulf South. Miller wasn’t looking for a deal. The deal found him — through a weekly lunch table of business owners he had been joining with his grandfather since he was a teenager.

Miller explains why he walked away from a clear path to owning a State Farm agency, and he breaks down the owner-financed earn-out he agreed on with the seller: come on board as an employee, double the company in five years, then acquire it with no debt hanging overhead. He also talks candidly about two years of cold outreach that went nowhere, the COVID-era pivot that finally broke it open, and how he rewrote his own job description once the business no longer needed him in the weeds.

Welcome to another episode of Invest & Scale! In today’s conversation, we sit down with Jimmy Rousey, a seasoned entrepreneur and mentor whose journey from small‑town beginnings to billion‑dollar growth is built on grit, faith, and generosity. He reflects on decades of acquisitions, lessons from both wins and failures, and why values‑aligned partnerships are essential in business.

Jimmy also shares the principles guiding his decisions, his approach to mentorship, and the inspiration behind his book Call to Care, which challenges us to integrate faith, purpose, and generosity into every investment. Whether you’re an acquisition entrepreneur, investor, or seeking purpose‑driven insights, this episode delivers wisdom you won’t want to miss.

Welcome to episode 36 of Invest & Scale! In this episode, we dive into mergers and acquisitions, personal growth, and the lessons learned from buying, building, and flipping businesses — all while living with purpose and adventure.
Our guest, Zach, shares his journey from growing up on a farm to navigating finance, entrepreneurship, and consulting. From the Chicago Board of Trade to buying his first business at 28, Zach’s story is packed with honest insights and practical frameworks.

He explores how real value lies not just in numbers, but in people, vision, and purpose. From consulting distressed companies to global travel and charitable work, Zach highlights the mindsets and emotional intelligence that create freedom in business and life.

If you’ve ever wondered what it truly takes to scale, or how to separate self-worth from net worth, this episode is full of inspiration and actionable advice.

Grab your headphones and enjoy this powerful conversation — only on Invest & Scale.

Welcome back to another episode of I&S! Today, host Gabriel Murillo sits down with Danny Sanchez, a serial entrepreneur whose unconventional journey has taken him from managing GameStop and bussing tables to building one of the largest floral retail operations in South Florida—and one of the largest in the nation. In this candid conversation, Danny shares how he stumbled into his first business acquisition, demystifies the world of SBA loans, and reveals what it really takes to scale a company through buying, selling, and integrating businesses.

Listen in as Danny and Gabriel geek out over creative deal structures, lessons learned from acquiring everything from doctor’s offices to flower shops, and the mindset shifts needed to make the jump from small business owner to major player. Danny’s story is equal parts inspiration and real talk about betting on yourself, building great teams, and finding opportunities—even when doors close unexpectedly.

Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just business-curious, you’ll walk away from this episode with tangible insights on navigating acquisitions, staying resilient through setbacks, and planning for that next big leap. Let’s dive in!

Welcome to Episode 34 of the “Invest & Scale” podcast, where we dive into the dynamic world of growing businesses with our insightful guest, Brendan Hsu. Brendan, an entrepreneur with a portfolio of seven companies, joins our host, Gabriel, to unravel the strategies behind scaling successful businesses. Throughout this episode, Brendan shares his journey of building Aerial Canvas, a real estate media company, from the ground up to a $7 million powerhouse. He discusses the pivotal roles of sales, team building, systems, and process optimization in driving growth. Brendan further delves into how he has ventured into mentorship, helping over 70 agency owners double their businesses by offering them a blueprint for success.

Welcome to a new episode of Invest & Scale! Today, Gabriel and Jacobo delve into an exciting journey of entrepreneurship, investment, and real estate. They discuss Jacobo’s transition from starting an E-commerce business in college to acquiring and scaling Airbnbs, and now venturing into the boutique hotel space. This episode highlights the progression from running product-based businesses to focusing on real estate with underlying assets, providing insights into acquiring cash-flowing properties and leveraging funds for expansion. Tune in as they explore the intricacies of real estate investment, the challenge of navigating through different business models, and the significant role of mindset in achieving business success. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or an experienced investor, this episode is packed with valuable lessons and inspiration for your next big move.

In today’s episode, Gabriel sits down with entrepreneur and consultant Jason to delve into the rapidly evolving business landscape. They’ll explore the pivotal roles of documenters, automators, advisors, and migrators in modernizing companies, while emphasizing the importance of leaning on service providers during high-leverage activities like acquisitions. Jason shares his journey from software entrepreneur to fractional integration consultant, discussing the formation of his company “Build Your Org” and its mission to augment the Entrepreneur’s Operating System (EOS) with automation and AI. Together, they will unpack creative deal structuring, the shifting entrepreneurial mindset towards autonomy, and how to balance vision and integration within businesses. Tune in for an insightful conversation packed with actionable strategies and inspiring stories for every modern business owner and acquisition entrepreneur out there. Let’s dive in!

Welcome back to another episode of Invest & Scale! I’m your host, Gabriel Murillo, and today we’re diving into an inspiring conversation with Alex Pikovsky. With a career spanning investment banking, venture capital, private equity, and entrepreneurship, Alex brings a wealth of experience and adaptability to the table.

From starting in investment banking focused on natural resources to investing in early-stage tech and scaling businesses in industries like cannabis, psychedelics, and SEO, Alex’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. In this episode, he shares invaluable lessons on navigating challenges in family offices, scaling a scented candle brand, and transitioning to funding small business buyers.

In this episode of Invest & Scale, our host Gabriel Murillo sits down with guest Shane, the new owner of North Texas Trailers, a multi-location trailer dealership. Shane shares the inspiring story of his journey from corporate America to acquisition entrepreneurship, discussing the challenges, fears, and motivations that led him to take the leap into business ownership.

From navigating the complexities of dealership and manufacturer relationships to his ambitious plans for business expansion, Shane’s insights into sales processes, employee experience, and potential acquisitions provide a compelling narrative of growth, determination, and the pursuit of success.

Welcome to Episode 29 of the Invest & Scale, “Masters of the Deal: Acquisition Strategies and Growth Insights.” Today’s episode features a gripping dialogue with Diego Cerezo, an entrepreneur who transitioned from running a Guatemalan craft brewery to mastering the art of business acquisitions in Latin America. Diego tells us about the influences that triggered his shift towards acquiring businesses and shares his personal experiences navigating the unique challenges of Latin America’s acquisition landscape. We’ll also explore creative financing arrangements, the significance of partnerships and mentorship, and the critical role of strategy in managing a diverse portfolio of companies. Get ready to dive into a world where deal-making meets strategic foresight, and introspection becomes a cornerstone of success in business acquisitions. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or an experienced professional, this episode is brimming with valuable takeaways.

Now, let’s roll the intro music and get ready for an enlightening session on “Investment Scale” with Diego Cerezo. Stay tuned!