Who's Really the BOSS? | 15 Years of DBA: The Origin Story

15 Years of DBA: The Origin Story

March 30, 2026 / 01:03:55/S5 E7

Marcus and Rachel Dillon reflect on 15 years of Dillon Business Advisors, tracing the firm's origins from a cold-letter acquisition of a $400K book in 2011 through two distinct five-year chapters of growth, tough lessons, and reinvention. They cover the early grind of building stability, a mentor acquisition that didn't go as planned, strategic client block sales, and the unexpected pivot that COVID forced on the firm.

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Introducing Collective by DBA
https://collective.cpa
https://www.linkedin.com/company/collectivebydba

Learn More About Dillon Business Advisors
https://www.dillonadvisors.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dillonbusinessadvisors

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(00:00) - Welcome to Who's Really the Boss
(01:00) - Life Updates
(06:42) - Recharge Mexico Plans
(08:57) - DBA 15 Year Lookback
(12:23) - Why Start DBA
(18:44) - Leaving Firm For Family
(22:24) - Early Goals And Acquisition
(25:38) - Scrappy First Years
(32:15) - First Five Years Growth
(34:53) - 2016 Milestones And Family
(38:10) - Acquiring Mentor Practice
(39:17) - Culture Clash And New Office
(40:56) - Tax Season Chaos And Billing
(44:10) - Systems Coach And MRR Push
(48:34) - Spinning Off Clients And Office
(51:11) - 2019 Focus And Boundaries
(55:40) - COVID Remote Shift And Audit Exit
(59:33) - Revenue Floor And Margin Goals
(01:02:52) - Wrapping Up & Chapter Two

Marcus Dillon, CPA

Rachel Dillon