Homeless to 8 Figures – Grinding Your Way to Education and Acquisitions with Bakari Akil

In this engaging episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Feras Moussa and Casey Minshew are joined by special guest Bakari Akil, the founder of Graves Hall Capital, who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from his unconventional background and his motivation for pursuing entrepreneurship through acquisitions.

Bakari Akil shares his fascinating journey of acquiring two $30 million businesses and now teaching Cornell MBA candidates about entrepreneurship through acquisition. Despite initially knowing nothing about M&A, Bakari’s curiosity was piqued when he first heard the term “LBO.” His determination led him to attend classes, where he learned the intricacies of buying a business. This story underscores how discipline, flexibility, and resilience can pave the way to success.

Throughout the episode, Bakari delves into his proactive strategies for self-education and networking, emphasizing the development of crucial business skills, particularly in negotiations and financing. He recounts his experience transitioning from a prospective CEO to successfully closing acquisition deals, highlighting the importance of practical action, making offers, and overcoming analysis paralysis. The discussion also explores the critical yet often neglected aspect of personal finance in the context of wealth building and M&A.

This episode is a treasure trove of practical advice and inspiring stories for aspiring entrepreneurs and business professionals alike.

In this podcast episode, we discuss:

  • Resilience
  • The Power of Self Education
  • Taking Action to Overcome Analysis Paralysis
  • Building Wealth Through M&A and ETA

You can connect with Bakari Akil by his Website: About — Graves Hall (squarespace.com)

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