Guides
Practical guidance for evaluating deals and talking to sellers.
Prepare to Search
Foundations for your acquisition search
Find Opportunities
How to source deals and talk to sellers
What to Say on Your First Seller Call
Run a productive first conversation without putting the owner on the defensive
How to Plan a Direct Sourcing Campaign
Build a repeatable process so you do not burn out after two weeks of random outreach
Using AI to Research and Qualify Targets
Turn a raw list into a prioritized list, and walk into calls with a real point of view
Building a Target List with Data Tools
How to use data tools to find acquisition targets without drowning in junk
Evaluate the Deal
Analyze financials, model the deal, understand what you're buying
How to Calculate Adjusted EBITDA
Walk through the formula and understand why each adjustment matters
What Add-Backs Survive Diligence
Know which adjustments hold up before you stake your offer on them
SBA 7(a) Loans Explained for Buyers
How SBA acquisition financing actually works, and what the bank will care about
How DSCR Affects Whether Your Deal Gets Funded
The lender math that caps your purchase price
The Operator Confidence Trap in ETA
Why running a business and buying one are different skillsets, and what that means for your search
Buy the Business
Structure, diligence, and closing
Asset Sale vs Stock Sale: What Buyers Need to Know
Deal structure is not paperwork. It determines your taxes, your risk, and how hard closing day will be.
How Working Capital Adjustments Affect Your Deal Price
Understand the peg, the true-up, and the balance sheet games that can move your purchase price
More guides coming soon — LOI basics, closing checklist, first 90 days
