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This episode is sponsored by Daily Body Coach
Blake Hutchinson, CEO of Flippa, joins Connor Tomkies to unpack how Flippa became a global marketplace for buying and selling digital businesses, from SaaS and e-commerce to YouTube channels and newsletters. Blake shares his path from founder and growth operator to leading Flippa through seven consecutive years of growth, and explains why “small” online business M&A remains a massive, underappreciated asset class. They dig into how buyers actually behave, why “passive income” is mostly a myth, what it takes to run a small business post-acquisition, and why zero-money-down deals are extremely rare. Blake also details Flippa’s product “plumbing” for safer transactions, the rise of off-market deal sourcing, and Flippa’s AI roadmap, including its matching engine, and what’s coming next in negotiation and due diligence.
Chapters:
Blake Hutchinson, CEO of Flippa, joins Connor Tomkies to unpack how Flippa became a global marketplace for buying and selling digital businesses, from SaaS and e-commerce to YouTube channels and newsletters. Blake shares his path from founder and growth operator to leading Flippa through seven consecutive years of growth, and explains why “small” online business M&A remains a massive, underappreciated asset class. They dig into how buyers actually behave, why “passive income” is mostly a myth, what it takes to run a small business post-acquisition, and why zero-money-down deals are extremely rare. Blake also details Flippa’s product “plumbing” for safer transactions, the rise of off-market deal sourcing, and Flippa’s AI roadmap, including its matching engine, and what’s coming next in negotiation and due diligence.
Chapters:
[00:00:00] Welcome to Made It
[00:00:02] Introducing Blake and Flippa
[00:00:35] How Flippa works
[00:01:45] The investment bank for 99%
[00:04:25] Why this market is nascent
[00:07:05] Blake’s background and path
[00:09:45] Flippa’s origin story
[00:10:49] Founder-to-CEO transition
[00:12:22] Turning around a neglected business
[00:14:42] Flippa's AI overview
[00:16:00] Off-market deal sourcing
[00:19:47] Negotiation agent teaser
[00:21:41] AI due diligence opportunity
[00:23:33] Who buys businesses today
[00:28:39] Turnarounds and distressed deals
[00:30:53] Marketplace safety plumbing
[00:33:40] Not everyone should buy
[00:35:32] Zero money down reality
[00:37:12] Skills and passion fit
[00:38:31] Passive income myth
[00:39:04] Favorite Flippa case studies
[00:41:53] Flippa’s top acquisition channels
[00:42:54] Acquisitions and category expansion
[00:43:45] Where to find Blake
[00:44:02] Closing thoughts and farewell
Blake's Stuff:
Website: https://flippa.com/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/blakehutchison
My Stuff:
Podcast: https://www.madeitpod.com/
Website: https://www.connortomkies.com/
X: https://twitter.com/ConnorTomkies
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connortomkies/
[00:00:02] Introducing Blake and Flippa
[00:00:35] How Flippa works
[00:01:45] The investment bank for 99%
[00:04:25] Why this market is nascent
[00:07:05] Blake’s background and path
[00:09:45] Flippa’s origin story
[00:10:49] Founder-to-CEO transition
[00:12:22] Turning around a neglected business
[00:14:42] Flippa's AI overview
[00:16:00] Off-market deal sourcing
[00:19:47] Negotiation agent teaser
[00:21:41] AI due diligence opportunity
[00:23:33] Who buys businesses today
[00:28:39] Turnarounds and distressed deals
[00:30:53] Marketplace safety plumbing
[00:33:40] Not everyone should buy
[00:35:32] Zero money down reality
[00:37:12] Skills and passion fit
[00:38:31] Passive income myth
[00:39:04] Favorite Flippa case studies
[00:41:53] Flippa’s top acquisition channels
[00:42:54] Acquisitions and category expansion
[00:43:45] Where to find Blake
[00:44:02] Closing thoughts and farewell
Blake's Stuff:
Website: https://flippa.com/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/blakehutchison
My Stuff:
Podcast: https://www.madeitpod.com/
Website: https://www.connortomkies.com/
X: https://twitter.com/ConnorTomkies
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connortomkies/
Creators and Guests
What is Made It with Connor Tomkies?
"Made It" is a podcast hosted by Connor Tomkies that delves into the journeys of successful entrepreneurs who have not only built and exited their companies, but who are writing the next chapter of their journeys. The show focuses on the unique challenges and lessons learned while moving beyond the exit, offering insights and strategies for listeners aiming to grow their own businesses. Through engaging conversations with various guests, the podcast provides a blend of motivational stories, practical advice, and insider tips on entrepreneurship, business growth, and personal development.