I had a fantastic experience with Contrarian Thinking over the past year. The Academy training was excellent, the deal coaches were knowledgeable and genuinely invested in helping members, and the community was welcoming and supportive. I learned a tremendous amount about business acquisitions and came away with knowledge that I'll continue to use. Overall, I had a very positive experience and would highly recommend Contrarian Thinking to anyone interested in learning about business acquisitions and joining a great entrepreneurial community.

Seven months into my experience with Contrarian Thinking, I've gained a far deeper and more nuanced understanding of the small business acquisition process than anticipated. Just as impressive as the education, however, is the culture. CT's expert deal advisors are grounded, supportive, and consistently willing to go above and beyond to help. Nick Carey, a broker and deal advisor with CT, embodies that culture. In addition to being extremely knowledgeable, he provides a valuable perspective on both the business and human dynamics of the deal. Nick helped navigate two different, complex opportunities on my end--offering expert advice, practical guidance, and helpful insights. CT offers a rare combination of valuable education, experienced advisors, and a community that genuinely wants to see its members succeed.

Most of my professional life, I've worked by myself building teams. It's a fantastic feeling knowing you are surrounded with so many professionals who never flinch looking at the smallest businesses, same enthusiasm, same expertise, helping each and everyone of us through a long journey. I don't know what we'd do without the Academy and those ambassadors, Concierge, and our huge cohorts! I'm happy to have finally found a team I can depend on, coaching each part of the journey.

Thirty days now in the Academy...the experience has been incredible. The knowledge transfer, endless resources at every stage, the staff experience and support mechanisms in place are unrivaled. The education is invaluable, you'll carry it with you regardless...you'll stay for the community.

One of the best experiences I have had. The coaches and community are incredibly helpful at propelling each individual forward, no matter your level of knowledge. There is a constant flow of information and ways to review the information at your own speed. Contrarian is personable, and the coaches are always willing and available to help one through complex and simple problems alike. This program is an amazing value for the knowledge you receive, and the people in the community are inspiring. They are not kidding when they say this is like getting a master's degree in acquisitions.

The support, collaboration, education, tools, and time you receive in this community are truly unparalleled. As someone preparing to buy their first business, having the Contrarian family behind me gives me the confidence that I won’t just acquire that first business — I’ll scale it, strengthen it, and use that momentum to buy my second.

This is an excellent community to be part of for anyone considering buying a small business. The resources are excellent, and you genuinely get more value than what you pay for. It's clear the team is mission-driven, genuinely there to help people buy a business, not just to run a money-making machine. The community has matured a lot over the past year. They've brought in a lot of tailored expertise, added new training resources, and the BizScout app has become seriously advanced. It's a well-organized, super helpful community, with regular office hours and weekly deal review calls. The deal advisors are all approachable, helpful, resourceful, and experienced. A special shout-out to Nick Carey for his excellent guidance at Contrarian Camp, and to Rylan Harvey, who went above and beyond making everyone feel welcome, meeting people in person, and answering every question.

Contrarian Thinking has been such a valuable community for me as a business owner. It’s pushed me to think bigger, make smarter decisions, and look at entrepreneurship in a more practical, creative way. What I appreciate most is that it’s not just motivational content — it’s real strategy, real conversations, and access to people who are actually building. Being surrounded by other entrepreneurs who are thinking differently, sharing resources, and challenging the traditional path has helped me feel less alone in growing my business. I’d recommend Contrarian Thinking to any entrepreneur who wants to expand their network, sharpen their business mindset, and be in rooms with people who are serious about building something meaningful.

CT has put my brain in the Owner’s seat! Mindset is everything. From clarity to confidence, Contrarian Thinking overdelivers on expectations.

I’d put 10 stars if it would let me. Being with the team this weekend made it clear that genuine mission of these amazing folks is to help would-be entrepreneurs gain the knowledge, hone the skills, and find their success in business. Rylan Harvey, head of the academy, busy man that he is, sat down with me and listened patiently to my tentative plan and gave me the support and confidence to put this thing and gear and stomp on the gas! But I also have to mention Hants (like pants), a deal advisor who is running his own portfolio of companies. He took a happy chance meeting to mentor me 1 on 1 for two hours that had me struggling to walk, because my pockets were overflowing from all the gold nuggets he dropped during our conversation! These are people who care. They exist to help you succeed and it is a beautiful thing to watch when purpose and practice are married in the work they do. This is a heart-felt ‘Thank you’.

I closed on a laundromat June first! It was a roller coaster ride because of the property owner/lease agreement. I worked through it and now own a “boring” laundromat! I want to thank everyone at Contrarian Academy for all the insights and learning. This program gave me the knowledge and confidence to make it happen! I was skeptical about Contrarian at first but it proved to be a good investment! Thank you Codie Sanchez for doing what you do! If you want to buy a business this is worth every penny!

I have been part of the Contrarian Community for over 7 months now and I can say that this was one of the best decisions I have ever made. For anyone who is aspiring to be an acquisition entrepreneur, this is one of the best decision they will ever make to join the community. Once you are part of the community, you will have access to lots of learning material, real world deals people are pursuing and best of all, access to some of the smartest brains who would guide you every step of the way. If I try to make a list, I am certain I would miss out on lot of people's name who have been part of my journey who have selflessly helped me learn and make meaningful decisions that would help me acquire a business. I am so glad I am part of the community and I would encourage anyone who is aspiring to acquire a business, to join the community.

The Contrarian Thinking team is empowering self-agency with knowledge, connections, tools, and actual action items to immediately improve and grow businesses owned by real people. This is a gift to the world, and it shows in the team's professionalism and care. I am inspired by their continuous improvement, systems, and the methods they use to achieve it. Very satisfied with my return on investment (wipes happy tears away with $100 bills)

Codie Sanchez and her team have built something genuinely rare: a community and curriculum that treats acquisition entrepreneurship as a real craft, not a marketing pitch. The frameworks around deal sourcing, seller psychology, capital stack design, and SBA-aligned financing have directly shaped how I structure my own roadmap, from Deal Zero through larger platform plays.

This team truly has your back. They've got industry experts, people who've purchased businesses in the industries we're looking for and are willing to jump on a call within a few hours to help you get unstuck. Highly recommend.

Codie has been doing wonders for business advice. Savvy, on point and very tuned in. She doesn't take you to glamorous, she takes you to no nonsense business ideas. The glamour will follow later. I really related to an email on the ceiling. I find this so timely in my business and give such needed direction. Well done!

Joined the CT community in February. Started looking into a HVAC franchise. While asking some questions regarding franchising, Rylan informed me the company had multiple lawsuits, and showed how the franchise was unproven. It is using a territory it converted and relaying that information to sell more territories. If it were not for the CT community and the knowledge it possesses, I could have slipped into a few hundred grand mistake! Big thanks to CT and Rylan!

Mind blowing....simple changes to pack a huge impact punch to my bottom line. To be surrounded by 100 other founders across different industries and approaches was incredibly powerful. Every moment of the three days was a learning opportunity. HIGHLY recommend!

Contrarian first taught me how to buy a business; then they taught me how to run a business. I've learned an insane amount in a short period of time, and I'm making more money and have more flexibility than I've ever had before. Thank you, Codie, and your awesome Contrarian team!

We are OFFICIALLY BUSINESS OWNERS!! It has been a whirlwind, but we are over the moon that this dream has come true for us.

This is like having a board of advisors full of experts in various fields. You learn just as much from the others members as you do from the mentors. If you're in a place to dedicate a few hours a week to working ON your business instead of IN your business, this is the place for you.

Had an absolute blast at the workshop in March. Got to meet a lot of different leaders from all walks of life & Codies team blessed us all with immense knowledge. Being able to be in a room with other leaders who have similar problems and/or solutions is one of the most unique ways to connect and I absolutely found that here.

Working on your business never stops and these guys lay the foundation to build your business as high as you want to take it. They helped me clear though the noise and focus on the things that matter to grow your business.

I recently had the opportunity to attend a Contrarian Thinking 3-day workshop along 100 entrepreneurs and business operators/owners in Austin and the experience was action packed. Money loves speed and the entire team/speakers were very practical + dedicated to ensuring attendees walked out of the workshop with an actionable plan (vs concepts) and tangible do this now steps (vs. inspiration). It was refreshing to be around a room of like-minded, growth-minded individuals from a variety of business genres; and, in the age of AI, Zoom fatigue and doom scrolling, you cannot beat human connection IRL (in real life). Codie, of course, is awesome and inspiring--and the team she has built around her at CT is a reflection of her energy and character. Adrian with the customer experience side of everything was particularly amazing -- he took the time to genuinely understand my business (functional medicine + gut health brand) and think even bigger!

The conference was absolutely incredible. I truly can't stop talking about it to anyone who will listen. This room was built for entrepreneurs at their core, and I felt that the entire time I was there. I walked away with an abundance of knowledge, clarity, and direction that I know will help catapult my businesses forward. I'm especially excited to join the Boardroom and continue learning from Codie's team as I step into this next phase of my entrepreneurial journey. Being surrounded by such driven, like minded people was inspiring, many of which are now friends. I'm already looking forward to being back in the room again.

From creative direction to high-level strategy, from big-picture thinking to the fine-tuned details, they are operating on a level that blends cutting edge CRM systems, AI innovation, and what most people overlook… the money. The metrics. The real business backbone.

Contrarian Thinking gave me the tools and support to buy a business. It was engaging, informative and helped connect me to resources I needed. I would highly recommend it for anyone looking to buy a business. You will still need to put in the work.

Everyone I have spoken to so far has exhibited real care and concern for helping me move my business forward, especially Alex Hooper. He is patient, extremely responsive and genuinely cares about helping me get answers and information. His insight has already helped me to push my ad agency to do more with less. They were asking me to double my marketing budget! Alex was able to cut through the nonsense and provide me with a framework that would force the agency to be far more efficient and effective with a forecasted result of doubling my lead volume with ZERO budget increase. I did not know what information I was lacking, so I was not equipped to ask the right questions. Alex is helping shed light on all the areas I need to get more informed about. Thank you Alex and Contrarian!!

I have zero regrets about joining the Contrarian Thinking community. Acquisitions are a complex topic, but what impressed me the most is their ability to simplify everything and proactively answer questions before you even realize you have them. I never felt lost at any point. Whenever I had a question, it was answered, and the guidance was always clear. The structure and organization of the community are excellent. Everything is laid out in a way that is easy to navigate and understand. It is simple, yet packed with an incredible amount of value. You cannot get confused because the process and resources are so well organized. Most importantly, I was able to successfully acquire a business thanks to this community. I honestly have no idea how I would have done it without them.

Codie and her team at Contrarian Thinking have been a welcome voice of support, inspiration, and challenge for me as I look to run my business and lead my team in the best way. There is no question too big or too small and the shared experience is incredibly valuable. My thoughts and habits are brought to the light and scrutinized and then can be improved. The CT experience has been a great addition to our company!

The team is constantly challenging me to think bigger, move faster, and plan to stay ahead of the curve. So glad I joined the group. Lots of great business owners for networking, and lots of talent on CT and GB to help me get to the next level. Carter and Alex are stand outs, also thanks to Codie for creating the forum and all of the other amazing resources.

Contrarian Thinking's small business advisory practice, The Boardroom, is so much more than a typical coaching program. Codie and her team deliver a top-tier consulting engagement tailored to each owner's unique business goals. Consulting engagements like this were once only available to F500 companies and were very expensive. Codie made this available to the mom-and-pop family businesses that once filled our main streets, which now either sell to PE or compete with it. Leveraging her own team of experts and proprietary analytics, Codie gives small business owners the edge to compete in today's marketplace, to build the business of their dreams, and preserve their legacy for future generations. 10/10 recommend

Great opportunity for people that want to make a difference in life through business. Personally spoke with one of their representatives - Adrian and the guy was very genuine, transparent for the Academy. I consider the culture in the whole company and academy is like his and I would love to get to know them better and acquire a business together in the team.

In terms of product value, it delivers. The content is straightforward, actionable, and focused on real-world application. It's not filled with fluff or motivational filler. You get clear frameworks around evaluating opportunities, thinking independently, and focusing on cash-flowing, overlooked businesses. That alone makes it worth the price. What I appreciated most is that it feels aligned with the service and brand Codie promotes, practical, numbers-driven, and realistic. It doesn't oversell or promise overnight success. Instead, it emphasizes patience, discipline, and smart decision-making. That honesty adds a lot of credibility. Value for money-wise, I'd say it's strong, especially if you're serious about business or investing. Even one or two mindset shifts from this can easily outweigh the cost. Overall, it feels like you're paying for perspective and clarity, not hype. And in today's crowded business space, that's refreshing.

The Contrarian Academy sets a different standard for business education. It's clear from the start that buying a business is hard, they don't sugarcoat it and the team (support, advisors, deal guides, ambassadors) support you every step of the way! Helping members show up do the tough work. The tools, deal flow, and frameworks make a huge difference in sourcing and evaluating businesses and the community shows up daily, action-oriented, collaborative, and focused on real ownership and business growth. If you're serious about acquiring a business, this isn't just content, it's an unfair advantage.

What really makes BizScout by Contrarian Thinking stand out for me is the outreach process, the staff engagement, and the leadership behind it. From the beginning, the outreach felt intentional and professional. No pressure, no generic scripts just real conversations. The team is responsive, organized, and genuinely supportive. You can tell they care about relationships, not just numbers. And a big part of what makes it special is Bobby's leadership. The clarity, direction, and standard he sets trickle down to the entire team. There's accountability, vision, and a strong sense of purpose. That kind of leadership creates trust, and you feel it in every interaction. BizScout isn't just a product. It's a well-led community backed by a team that actually shows up. That's rare and that's why it stands out.

Extremely informative. There are tons of resources including webinar style materials, worksheets, sample/template documents, and loads of question and answer sessions for individual attention. The community is large and there is such a range of experience and expertise that there is always someone with a specific answer or direction on what to look into next. It is certainly an investment but it was well worth the money. You MUST put in the time, effort, and repetitions to be successful but that is true in all things. I closed on my first acquisition last week, I am extremely type A, and a hard worker and have a I can figure it out attitude with most things, but buying a businesses has hundreds if not thousands of considerations, so I do not know that I would have ever felt I knew enough to get myself to move forward without the community. I plan on purchasing at least 1 more business and will continue to be an active participant in the community.

Closed on my first business this past Friday! It's a Senior Move Management company located in MN. I've learned so much! Thanks to everyone for the knowledge and support!

Adrian really took the time to help me out and gave me a ton of valuable insight and clarity. I walked away with a much better understanding and real direction. Definitely appreciate the support.

My membership in Contrarian Thinking/Contrarian Academy was instrumental in my success in buying a business. The support I received throughout the process and the contacts I made with other members were invaluable. I have been part of three different coaching organizations, and this one is the standout. Since I had two different coaching experiences to compare it to (in different spaces - short term rental and self-storage acquisition), I knew what to look for this time and knew what was different the minute I entered. So well organized. So many opportunities for learning. So many ways to get one on one help without begging for it. Honestly, there was more help available than I even had time to access. The other thing that really stands out here is the way Contrarian seeks out honest feedback and then makes a concerted effort to address it, which has resulted in constant improvement on an already great product. I'm looking forward to jumping into the next step now - Growth Boardroom for business owners. I have no doubt I will experience the same level of support there.

As a first-time small business owner without a local mentor, the Contrarian SMB Boardroom has been an invaluable resource. Carter has an ability to get to the root of an issue quickly while remaining thoughtful and empathetic. The advice is practical, direct, and genuinely useful.

This is an excellent community. I've joined others and immediately regretted it. Not so with this one. It's obvious they know their stuff and you can learn a lot about acquisitions. Coming from a PhD in chem, this was way, way more valuable than my friends that went to get an MBA. For the price, it's a steal where you can learn a boatload. Also, the in person events are amazing networking opportunities where I've met extremely high profile people (former CXOs from multibillion $ PE firms) in addition to other extremely business savvy operators and entrepreneurs.

Words that in my view describe this academy/community are dynamic, engaging, inspiring, welcoming and highly collaborative. Whatever I have learnt with CT, I couldn't have done it without the help of this community and advisors. I can't recommend it enough if you are willing to put in the effort and want to own a business.

The support and guidance we've received have been truly invaluable. The information shared is abundant, and the speakers are incredibly resourceful. Being surrounded by like-minded individuals in a consistent, growth-focused environment has been transformative. Every member of the team is exceptional. We've achieved all of our goals, in large part because of this community. We can't thank Carter and Alex for all of the help and guidance you have provided!

If it wasn't for Codie and the CT group, I wouldn't be under contract for my first business. I have gained so much knowledge from this group - it is amazing. The live meetings have helped a ton to let us know we are not alone. Joining this group was one of the best things we ever did. Highly recommend it!

I have been pleasantly surprised by the quality and breadth of the resources available to community members. You are not just getting insights and support from one person selling a course. There is a whole team of experts helping you do the thing. All aspects of sourcing, buying and running a business.

We bought a business in 2025! They helped us deal search during a special workshop before the MSOWS event. It was that deal they helped us find that ended up working out over other deals we were sourcing. The deal reviews done both live on a Zoom call and discussions in Slack are invaluable for seeing blind spots and risks. The course is decent but the group is where the value is for people like us that have not had significant relationships with successful business owners in our lives. Then once we took the leap and became owners, the next group, the Boardroom, has been incredibly insightful and supportive. Shout out to Carter who really takes time to understand each business owner that participates. Absolutely life-changing. We couldn't have done this without Codie and crew.

We joined the boardroom at Contrarian this year and have already seen a return on our investment. The community and the advisors are top notch and make you feel like your business is a priority. They are honest and actually help in real time! We would recommend this to any small business looking to grow.

I've been in the SMB Boardroom for six months now. I get a lot out of the calls and coaching and councils. Coach Carter is fabulous and gives actionable advice. It's helping me retool my business. When I need help applying the general advice to my business, the team has been generous with their time and support.

Great experience as a business owner looking to grow my business, tackle the issues normally encountered in upward trajectory. Not theoretical junk from a book--actionable, tactical guidance from people who have been there, done that and at top of game! Required consultants for anyone serious about business ownership

I would not have bought my first business if it wasn't for this community. Being part of this community is motivating and encouraging. The journey is not easy and learning on the community and the knowledge offered really makes all the difference. I can't say better things about this group. Best decision I've made to invest in myself.