Andrew Gazdecki joins Kaustubh Deo and Sam Rosati for a wide-ranging conversation on building, buying, and selling small businesses. Andrew shares the origin story of acquire.com, from selling his first startup to realizing how broken the small business M&A process was for founders. The discussion explores how sales, market selection, and distribution matter more than perfect products, along with the realities of valuation in small tech-enabled businesses. The episode also dives into Andrew’s personal journey, including burnout, delegation, and redefining success as a founder. They discuss: • Why sales is the most important role for owners of small businesses under $3–5M in revenue • How acquire.com evolved from a side project into a marketplace with thousands of closed transactions • The difference between startup-style valuations and how small businesses are actually priced and sold • What makes a strong buyer in competitive acquisition processes, and why trust often beats price • Lessons from burnout, delegating control, and building a company that supports long-term personal fulfillment Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:03 - Andrew's entrepreneurial journey 03:03 - The birth and growth of Acquire.com 03:57 - Challenges and successes in acquisitions 06:53 - Marketplace dynamics and buyer profiles 20:28 - Andrew's first startup experience 25:14 - The role of luck and market trends 30:33 - Building the marketplace: from script to success 31:53 - Non-technical founders and code scripts 33:08 - Early influences and entrepreneurial drive 35:01 - Day in the life: from hustle to balance 40:07 - Burnout and finding balance 45:29 - Delegation and business growth 47:56 - The rewarding journey of entrepreneurship 54:03 - Advice for aspiring buyers 59:52 - Final thoughts and reflections