In this episode, Tim talks with Anthony Atiase, husband, father, serial entrepreneur, and co-owner of a janitorial company in South Carolina. Anthony shares how his upbringing across Ethiopia and Ghana shaped his entrepreneurial spirit, why he and his wife pursued business ownership while keeping their day jobs, and how they bought and financed a recession-resistant cleaning company.

He also opens up about the search process, negotiating with brokers and sellers, and how creative financing (including investors and seller financing) made the acquisition possible.

Tim is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should explore the opportunities that business and real estate can provide on the path to financial freedom. He owns and operates a wine & liquor store, a software startup, a consulting company, and a growing portfolio of commercial and residential real estate.

Tim's passion for independent business has led him to support dozens of other business owners. For over a decade, he has worked with businesses on strategy, processes, finances, and marketing. These experiences, along with analyzing dozens of other businesses for potential acquisition, have provided Tim with an immense knowledge base to pull from.

Tim has appeared on multiple top-tier podcasts in the financial space, such as Bigger Pockets Money, Bigger Pockets Rookie, and The Freedom Chasers Podcast.

[00:00 – 13:00] From Ghana to South Carolina
Anthony's upbringing, watching his mom hustle as an entrepreneur, and why he turned to business ownership.

[13:01 – 26:00] Criteria & Search
How Anthony and his wife defined "recession-proof" criteria and searched for the right business on BizBuySell.

[26:01 – 41:00] Meeting the Seller & Financing the Deal
The role of trust-building with the seller, how multiples were calculated, and the creative financing mix that closed the deal.

[41:01 – End] Transition & Lessons Learned
What it felt like to take ownership, cash flow on day one, and advice for first-time buyers balancing day jobs.

Guest Bio
Anthony Atiase is a husband, father, serial entrepreneur, and co-owner of a janitorial company in York County, South Carolina. With a background in project management and a passion for building businesses, Anthony and his wife sought out a recession-resistant company they could grow while still working their day jobs. Through persistence, research, and creative financing, they acquired a cleaning business that provides steady income and long-term potential.

If you found value in today's show, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode packed with insights to help you buy and grow a business that creates real financial freedom.

Connect with Tim and the community on social media for more tips and updates:
Website: https://www.powerofbiz.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@powerofbiz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timtdelaney/
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@timtdelaney
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothytdelaney/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timtdelaney

Tweetable Quotes:

• "We wanted a business that was recession-proof, local, and profitable — and we wrote that down before we even started searching." – Anthony Atiase

• "You don't need a background in the industry. You can learn as you go, as long as you bring persistence and curiosity." – Anthony Atiase

• "Seeing cash flow hit our account the day after closing was an eye-opener — this is why you buy, not build from scratch." – Anthony Atiase

Merchant cash advances (MCAs) are marketed as a quick fix for business owners in need of fast funding — no credit checks, no waiting, and no collateral. But beneath the convenience lies a dangerous financial trap. These advances often come with sky-high effective interest rates and aggressive repayment schedules that can strangle your cash flow. In this episode, Tim breaks down exactly how these offers work, why they're so tempting, and what smarter, safer alternatives exist for small business owners.

Tim Delaney is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should explore the opportunities that business and real estate can provide on the path to financial freedom. He owns and operates a wine & liquor store, a software startup, a consulting company, and a growing portfolio of commercial and residential real estate.

Tim's passion for independent business has led him to support dozens of other business owners. For over a decade, he has worked with businesses on strategy, processes, finances, and marketing. These experiences, along with analyzing dozens of other businesses for potential acquisition, have provided Tim with an immense knowledge base to pull from.

Tim has appeared on multiple top-tier podcasts in the financial space, such as Bigger Pockets Money and The Freedom Chasers Podcast.

[00:00 – 02:20] The "Offer You Can't Refuse"
Tim opens with a real-world scenario: a lender offers $50,000—no credit check, no waiting, no hassle. But there's a catch… you owe $70,000 in just a few months.

[02:21 – 05:10] What a Cash Advance Really Is
Explaining how merchant cash advances (MCAs) work, why they're so appealing at first, and how their effective interest rates can skyrocket past traditional loans.

[05:11 – 08:30] The Hidden Dangers
How repayment schedules (daily or weekly) crush cash flow. Why do owners feel trapped even when revenue looks steady?

[08:31 – 11:00] Smarter Alternatives
From SBA microloans to seller financing and lines of credit—options that build sustainability instead of short-term relief.

[11:01 – End (~13:00)] Final Thoughts
Understanding the real cost of "fast money" and how business owners can keep control of their cash without compromising future stability.

If you found value in today's show, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode packed with insights to help you buy and grow a business that creates real financial freedom.

Connect with Tim and the community:
Website: https://www.powerofbiz.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@powerofbiz
Instagram: @timtdelaney
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@timtdelaney
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timothytdelaney
Facebook: facebook.com/timtdelaney

Tweetable Quotes:

"These cash advances can be convenient, but they come with a price." – Tim Delaney

"What starts as short-term relief can turn into a long-term problem." – Tim Delaney

"When you understand how the money moves, you realize that quick cash usually costs the most." – Tim Delaney

In this episode, Tim talks with Ali Boolani, an entrepreneur and first-generation immigrant whose path from hustling floppy disks in middle school to buying a struggling campground is packed with lessons on persistence, failure, and reinvention.

Ali shares how losing his first business forced him to rethink his approach, why listening to customers matters more than chasing the "next big idea," and how he turned around a mismanaged campground by fixing pricing, modernizing bookings, and focusing on the customer experience. He also opens up about the abundance mindset that guides his acquisitions today.

Tim is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should explore the opportunities that business and real estate can provide on the path to financial freedom. He owns and operates a wine & liquor store, a software startup, a consulting company, and a growing portfolio of commercial and residential real estate.

Tim's passion for independent business has led him to support dozens of other business owners. For over a decade, he has worked with businesses on strategy, processes, finances, and marketing. These experiences, along with analyzing dozens of other businesses for potential acquisition, have provided Tim with an immense knowledge base to pull from.

Tim has appeared on multiple top-tier podcasts in the financial space, such as Bigger Pockets Money and The Freedom Chasers Podcast.

[00:00 – 12:30] Ali's Unusual Background
Ali shares his journey as an academic and entrepreneur.
From laundromats to salons to tech companies — finding mismanaged opportunities.

[12:31 – 23:59] Lessons from Failure
Why his first ventures didn't work out.
The importance of talking to customers before scaling ideas.

[24:00 – 39:47] The Campground Opportunity
Discovering a poorly run RV park in New York State.
Issues with outdated operations: missed calls, bad website, mispriced cabins.
Why Ali saw it as the perfect acquisition.

[39:48 – 53:21] Turning Things Around
Implementing modern booking systems, fixing pricing, adding amenities.
Examples of occupancy improving once small changes were made.

[53:22 – End] Abundance Mindset & Takeaways
Ali explains how abundance mindset drives his acquisitions.
Tim reflects on the importance of building partnerships and long-term wins.

Guest Bio
Ali Boolani is a first-generation immigrant, entrepreneur, and small business acquirer. From hustling as a teen in subsidized housing to buying and turning around a struggling campground, Ali's journey highlights the grit, lessons, and mindset needed to succeed in business buying. He's passionate about solving real operational problems and building businesses that create lasting impact.

If you found value in today's show, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode packed with insights to help you buy and grow a business that creates real financial freedom.

Connect with Ali Boolani:

• Website: backbaycampground.com

Connect with Tim and the community on social media for more tips and updates:

Website: https://www.powerofbiz.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@powerofbiz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timtdelaney/

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@timtdelaney

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothytdelaney/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timtdelaney

"The biggest lessons are the ones that you learn from failure." – Ali Boolani

"Instead of hitting singles, I was trying to hit a home run without ever having talked to the customer." – Ali Boolani

"If you are your own customer, you'll see the pain points others don't." – Ali Boolani

"An abundance mindset opens doors that the numbers never will." – Tim Delaney