From Bankruptcy to Business Acquisition: Brandon Kirk’s Story

Brandon Kirk returns to the Colorado Business Podcast with his biggest Planet Duct update yet: the Colorado Springs company has been acquired by another local home services business.In this episode, Brandon explains what selling a business actually looks like, including due diligence, financial negotiations, employment agreements, company culture, and the difficult process of giving up control over something you built.But the acquisition is only part of the story.Brandon also opens up about the fear that shaped his leadership, losing everything after 9/11, going through bankruptcy, putting his business ahead of his marriage, and finally confronting the anger and ego that were affecting his life.Whether you own a trades company, operate a home service business, or are building something you eventually hope to sell, this conversation offers a candid look at business acquisition, leadership, family, failure, and legacy.Learn more about Brandon and Planet Duct:https://planetduct.comSubscribe to the Colorado Business Podcast for conversations with the entrepreneurs, founders, and business leaders shaping Colorado.What would be harder for you as a founder: selling your company or giving up control after the sale? Let us know in the comments.CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome to the Colorado Business Podcast02:12 Planet Duct has been acquired05:05 Inside the business acquisition process09:43 Local acquisition versus private equity11:57 Lessons from joining a larger company12:30 Why Brandon stopped paying hourly18:33 Letting go of control21:32 Better systems and accountability26:11 Life after the acquisition30:36 The move that helped save his marriage32:38 Counseling, anger, and ego37:37 The cost of ignoring your well being39:50 Mentorship and paying it forward45:14 Teaching his son entrepreneurship48:32 Building a family business legacy50:10 Brandon’s next business55:07 Marriage advice for entrepreneurs59:53 Improving his health1:02:21 Bankruptcy and the root of his fear1:07:00 A message to his wife1:08:52 Closing thoughts#ColoradoBusinessPodcast #BusinessAcquisition #Entrepreneurship