
17 Mar Acquiring Minds: From Tech Sales to Forklift Repair
Shaugn Lindley was vacationing in Hawaii when he got the dreaded “quick call” from his office—his 10-year career at SAP had come to an abrupt end due to tech layoffs. After some soul-searching, he chose to buy a business for his next chapter. Today, he owns R&R Lift, a forklift repair company with a decades-long history, strong margins, essential B2B services, and more demand than he can handle—plus a delightfully vintage ‘90s website.
Shaugn’s journey had two key twists. First, he initially lost the business to a competing buyer, but when that deal fell through, it came back to him—highlighting the value of persistence. Second, he sought guidance from an experienced business buyer, a former Acquiring Minds guest, and formalized their mentorship by paying for coaching. This structured approach to seeking help played a crucial role in his success. Now, Shaugn is thriving as the owner of R&R Lift, turning a career setback into a promising new chapter.