In this episode of The Intentional Owner, hosts Kaustubh Deo and Sam Rosati dive into what it truly takes to succeed as a small business owner. They break down the mindset, attributes, and leadership qualities that make the difference between thriving in SMB ownership and struggling under its demands. Kaustubh shares lessons from running Blooma Tree Services, including the reality of transitioning from finance and private equity to operating a blue-collar business. He and Sam discuss the challenges of managing people, the importance of financial understanding, and the surprising role of vendor relationships in long-term success. Other key takeaways include: • How to prioritize tasks when you’re wearing multiple hats • Why revenue generation is the biggest challenge for new SMB owners • The difference between high IQ and high EQ leadership in small business • How to leverage vendors and suppliers as true business partners If you’re considering entrepreneurship through acquisition or already in the trenches of SMB ownership, this episode is packed with real-world insights and hard-earned lessons. Topics: 00:00 - Intro 03:21 - Weekly recap 10:16 - How it feels right before you sign your first deal 14:45 - How to know if you’re ready to take over a business 21:04 - Getting your arms around the numbers 29:56 - What Sam looks for in a Searcher 36:08 - Managing perfectionism in Search 40:20 - Attributes in people that ensure you won’t be successful in Search 45:11 - Prioritization philosophies 58:25 - Tactical Tip - Building vendor/supplier relationships