In this episode of the Real Talk of Real Business Pros podcast, host Jonathan Lautermilch welcomes Jeremy Johnston, a serial entrepreneur who owns businesses in the storage unit and flooring industries. Jeremy transitioned from a corporate career managing outsourced call centers to entrepreneurship in 2020, inspired by his experiences with smaller companies and the inheritance he received after his father's passing. He used this inheritance to purchase his first business, a woman-owned company in South Carolina, and has since been dedicated to creating a positive impact through love and strong company culture.
Jeremy shares his insights on buying businesses, emphasizing the importance of feeling comfortable with the acquisition and looking for companies with a long history of success. He discusses his strategy of focusing on SBA-backed purchases due to their low failure rate and the confidence it provides. Jeremy also delves into the challenges he faced, including lawsuits and the necessity of being intentional in his interactions with people. He highlights the significance of treating employees well by offering benefits such as unlimited PTO, healthcare coverage, and a 401k with match.
Tune in to learn from Jeremy's entrepreneurial journey, including his lessons on leadership, the value of coaching, and the importance of focusing on business fundamentals. Jeremy's advice for young business owners is to take ownership of their situations and make decisions aligned with their desired identity. Remember, your time invested in listening to this podcast is a gift—to yourself and to those you share it with. Don't miss out on this enriching conversation with a real business pro.