Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition

Reid Tileston, MBA '15, and Brian O'Connor discuss the in depth, and often, involved diligence efforts that Reid went through in purchasing Giddings Hawkins, a company that he acquired through a self-funded search. Reid is a one of a kind guest and his stories are impactful and, at times, humorous-from daily cold showers to racing up skyscraper stairs and cleaning Southern Wisconsin's grease traps. Reid's stories from his first year as an operator cover a number of lessons about assessing risk and what to do as an operator when faced with a worst-case scenario. He also provides honest advice for entrepreneurs considering the self-funded route.