
CEO Success in Operating Small Business Acquisitions
From Think Big, Buy Small by Harvard Business School
October 27, 2025 · 44 min
About this episode
Michael Aubrey shares insights on succeeding as a CEO in small business acquisitions, discussing operational challenges and growth strategies.
Michael Aubrey, having walked the path from searcher to successful operator and investor, draws on his wealth of experiences to offer a masterclass in small business growth. In this episode, he talks candidly about navigating early operational setbacks and hiring challenges, the strategies he employed to build a national salesforce, and why he believes a deep understanding of one’s customers is the foundation for real improvement and scale. You’ll hear reflections on employee compensation models, the critical role of company culture and accountability, and what it really takes to succeed as a CEO in the world of small business acquisitions. Packed with hard-earned lessons on management, grit, and the value of taking a hands-on approach to operations, Michael’s insights into leadership, hiring, and growth strategy are not to be missed.
People in this episode
Guest: Michael Aubrey
Topics covered
- small business acquisitions
- CEO success
- operational challenges
- employee compensation
- company culture
- salesforce building
Keywords
- small business
- CEO
- acquisitions
- management
- leadership
- hiring
- company culture
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Harvard Business School
More episodes of Think Big, Buy Small
- Season Three Questions and Answers with Rick and Royce · December 1, 2025 · 47 min
- Partnership, Purpose, and the ETA Path to Concierge Medicine · November 24, 2025 · 53 min
- Navigating Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition as a Family · November 17, 2025 · 38 min
- Reshaping One’s Career Through Acquisition Entrepreneurship · November 10, 2025 · 42 min
- Pioneering Search in Frontier Markets · November 3, 2025 · 53 min
- Bonus Episode: The Art and Strategy of Negotiation, with Jim Sebenius · October 20, 2025 · 29 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Think Big, Buy Small podcast page.