nik hulewsky - He Put $180k Down. Then bought, Built and Sold $18m in Businesses.
Getting fired while your wife is in labor might seem like a nightmare, but for Nik Hulewsky, it became the catalyst for entrepreneurial success. Just weeks before COVID lockdowns began, Nik found himself unemployed and facing an uncertain future. Rather than panic, he leveraged his healthcare industry experience to make a strategic move that would change everything.
Nik's approach to business acquisition reveals a masterclass in strategic thinking. Instead of casting a wide net, he developed specific criteria: healthcare businesses offering back-office solutions in high-growth markets. This laser focus led him to a $3.2 million medical billing company that he acquired with just $100,000 of his own money through creative SBA financing. Simultaneously, he launched a home health and hospice company from scratch. Within three years, these businesses grew to $7 million and $15 million valuations respectively before successful exits.
What makes Nik's story particularly fascinating is his candor about both successes and failures. His ill-fated RV park venture serves as a cautionary tale about due diligence, while his tree trimming lead generation business demonstrates how entrepreneurs can test concepts without massive capital investment. After experimenting with various ventures post-exit (his "kid in a candy shop" phase), Nik has returned to healthcare with a venture studio aimed at bringing innovation to this notoriously antiquated industry.
Beyond business tactics, Nik offers profound insights on what truly matters. Having experienced significant personal losses, including the death of his sister and a son, he measures success not by exit valuations but by relationships with family, quality of colleagues, and control over his time. For aspiring entrepreneurs, he outlines two viable paths: the hustler approach focused on high-ticket services and marketing, or the apprentice route optimizing for experience before ownership. Each person must know themselves to choose wisely.
The entrepreneurial journey isn't just about business models and financing strategies—it's about leveraging your unique knowledge, recognizing opportunity in setbacks, and ultimately building a life that aligns with your deepest values. What unexpected opportunity might be disguised as a setback in your own journey?
