How Joyride Fetched 7x Revenue for a Business Selling Abandoned Cars
October 17, 2025 |
About this episode
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Most cities have a problem: what to do with cars that get towed and never picked up. They pile up in impound lots—taking up space and tying up cash. Stan Markuze helped solve that problem by co-founding Joyride Auto, an online auction platform where repair shops, scrap dealers, and car enthusiasts can buy those abandoned vehicles directly from the lot.
In this episode, Stan shares how he and his co-founders built a cash-flow-positive business that turned a clunky, paper-based process into a digital marketplace—and sold it to a private-equity firm for seven times revenue in just two years.
You discover how to:
- Spot “forgotten” industries ready for digital disruption.
- Build a profitable marketplace business without raising capital.
- Navigate the imbalance between buyer and seller acquisition.
- Structure equity fairly when one co-founder brings the idea and the cash.
- Sell your company to a private-equity buyer even without a formal process.
- Manage life as a minority shareholder when you’re not in the negotiating room.
- Avoid complex deal structures that dilute simplicity and control.
Show Notes & Links
Connect with Stan on LinkedIn
Email Stan: stan@balancecash.io
Definitions
Due-Diligence: This is a comprehensive appraisal of a business or investment undertaken before a merger, acquisition, or investment. It seeks to validate the information provided and uncover any potential risks or liabilities.
Earn-out: This is a financing arrangement for the purchase of a business, where the seller must meet certain performance goals before receiving the full purchase price. It reduces the buyer’s risk and aligns the interests of both parties post-acquisition.
Roll Over Investor: A rollover investor, in the context of selling a business, refers to an individual or entity that rolls some of their proceeds from the sale with the buyer. This strategy allows the seller to defer capital gains taxes and potentially leverage their expertise or resources in a new venture.
About Our Guest
Stan Markuze
