From Storytelling to Deal-Making: The Road to Car Wash M&A - Melissa Croll episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 10, 2026 · 33 MIN

From Storytelling to Deal-Making: The Road to Car Wash M&A - Melissa Croll

from Herb's Financial Sandbox · host Herb Alston

Melissa Croll of Attlee Realty, LLC— journalist at heart, entrepreneur by instinct. From oil & gas to car wash deals, her path proves that curiosity and grit make powerful business tools. In this episode we cover: How Melissa carved out a niche brokering car wash businesses nationwide What makes selling a business wildly different from selling a house (hello, P&Ls and DSCRs) Why mentorship matters—and how women are winning in male-dominated spaces The reality of today's market: multiples, SBA loans, and what "bankable" really means Car wash types (self-serve, in-bay, express tunnel, full-service) and who they're right for Subscriptions, tech, and the next wave in wash ops If you've ever wondered how a neighborhood wash can be a serious investment—or you're eyeing your first acquisition—this podcast is for you! Melissa Croll brokers car wash, oil-and-lube, and land-development deals. She handles comps/valuations, negotiations, and contracts across residential and commercial transactions, and drives growth with targeted marketing (including an HGTV appearance). Honors include Dave Perry-Miller Intown Top 10 Realtor and two-time Million-Dollar Month Club (2010). ~~ Because investor situations and objectives vary this information is not intended to indicate suitability or a recommendation for any individual investor. The information herein has been prepared for educational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to purchase or sell investments. This material is not to be interpreted as tax or legal advice. Please speak with your own tax and legal advisors for advice/guidance regarding your particular situation. The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Thornwood Financial, Concorde Investment Services or any other affiliated entity. Securities offered through Concorde Investment Services, LLC (CIS), member FINRA/SIPC. Insurance offered through Concorde Insurance Agency Inc. (CIA). Thornwood Financial is independent of CIA and CIA. Check out Herb Alston at: herbalston-northerncalifornia.sites.cbmoxi.com linkedin.com/in/1031exchangeguru

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Mar 10, 2026

Embed this episode

Ready to play

From Storytelling to Deal-Making: The Road to Car Wash M&A - Melissa Croll

0:00 33:02

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Herb's Financial Sandbox?

This episode is 33 minutes long.

When was this Herb's Financial Sandbox episode published?

This episode was published on March 10, 2026.

Can I download this Herb's Financial Sandbox episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!