How to Structure Around Risk in a $250k SDE Acquisition | Alicia Powers Interview

Residential construction isn’t a typical acquisition target. It’s high-ticket, project-based work for consumers. Alicia Powers knew that — and still bought Price Builders in July 2025. Why? She brought real advantages. Years in construction. Experience generating remodeling leads in San Diego. And firsthand knowledge: she and her husband hired the company twice to build ADUs, so she trusted the team and their work. She also stayed patient. After an initial failed negotiation, she returned months later and structured terms to reduce her risk. And then there’s the X-factor: she genuinely wanted this business. That kind of pull doesn’t show up in a spreadsheet, but it matters. Here’s Alicia Powers, owner of Price Builders. ❤️ Enjoy this interview? SUBSCRIBE for more: https://shorturl.at/zaP1m 00:00 Alicia's background in Air Force and early construction experience 01:25 Working at Schindler elevator company and executive role in Switzerland 02:11 Moving to San Diego and running Kohler's shower remodeling division 12:26 Getting laid off while pregnant and deciding to pursue entrepreneurship 12:48 Approaching the general contractor about acquiring his business 20:12 First negotiation fails over work-in-progress and deal structure issues 28:32 Getting GC license and seller's renewed interest in negotiating 33:46 Final deal structure with deferred payments and mentorship arrangement 40:31 Business details: $250K SDE, $750K purchase price, operational challenges 01:01:07 Advice for GC acquisitions and future vision for business growth CONNECT with the Acquiring Minds podcast, socials, etc. 🎧 Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2vZrl0u... 🎧 Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 👉 Get notified of new interviews: https://acquiringminds.co 👉 Follow host Will Smith on Twitter:   / whentheresawill   👉 Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn:   / willsmithsf   ABOUT Acquiring Minds Acquiring Minds is a podcast about buying businesses. Acquiring an existing business is an awesome opportunity for many entrepreneurs, and host Will Smith talks to the people who do it. New episodes 2x per week. Credits: Edited by Anton Rohozov Produced by Pam Cameron #business #acquisitions #buyingbusiness