Brandon Kirk returns to the Colorado Business Podcast with his biggest Planet Duct update yet: the Colorado Springs company has been acquired by another local home services business. In this episode, Brandon explains what selling a business actually looks like, including due diligence, financial negotiations, employment agreements, company culture, and the difficult process of giving up control over something you built. But the acquisition is only part of the story. Brandon also opens up about the fear that shaped his leadership, losing everything after 9/11, going through bankruptcy, putting his business ahead of his marriage, and finally confronting the anger and ego that were affecting his life. Whether you own a trades company, operate a home service business, or are building something you eventually hope to sell, this conversation offers a candid look at business acquisition, leadership, family, failure, and legacy. Learn more about Brandon and Planet Duct: https://planetduct.com Subscribe to the Colorado Business Podcast for conversations with the entrepreneurs, founders, and business leaders shaping Colorado. What would be harder for you as a founder: selling your company or giving up control after the sale? Let us know in the comments. CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to the Colorado Business Podcast 02:12 Planet Duct has been acquired 05:05 Inside the business acquisition process 09:43 Local acquisition versus private equity 11:57 Lessons from joining a larger company 12:30 Why Brandon stopped paying hourly 18:33 Letting go of control 21:32 Better systems and accountability 26:11 Life after the acquisition 30:36 The move that helped save his marriage 32:38 Counseling, anger, and ego 37:37 The cost of ignoring your well being 39:50 Mentorship and paying it forward 45:14 Teaching his son entrepreneurship 48:32 Building a family business legacy 50:10 Brandon’s next business 55:07 Marriage advice for entrepreneurs 59:53 Improving his health 1:02:21 Bankruptcy and the root of his fear 1:07:00 A message to his wife 1:08:52 Closing thoughts #ColoradoBusinessPodcast #BusinessAcquisition #Entrepreneurship