The Forbes article “An Introduction to Entrepreneurship-Through-Acquisition and the Secrets to Its Success“ does a great job of outlining the appeal of ETA—giving entrepreneurs a way to step into ownership by acquiring an existing business instead of starting from scratch. But while the article focuses on the buyer’s perspective, I think it misses one of the most critical concerns for sellers: How do they ensure their business, their employees, and their legacy are in the right hands?
Selling a Business is Personal—But No One Treats It That Way
For most business owners, selling isn’t just a financial transaction—it’s an emotional one. You’ve spent years, maybe even decades, building something meaningful. You’ve built relationships with employees, customers, and suppliers. You care about what happens next.
Yet, in the current system, sellers are often pushed to prioritize closing the deal over finding the right buyer. Brokers are incentivized to get the sale done—not necessarily to ensure that the buyer is the best possible match for the business. No one is asking:
✔️ Will this buyer respect what I’ve built?
✔️ Do they have the right leadership style to maintain the company culture?
✔️ Will my employees, customers, and brand still feel the same under their ownership?
Most due diligence focuses on financial qualifications, not on personality fit or compatibility. But anyone who has ever led a company knows that success isn’t just about financials—it’s about leadership, vision, and people.
ETA Match: Adding a Missing Piece to the Seller’s Toolkit
That’s where ETA Match comes in. We believe sellers deserve more than just a list of buyers with the right checkbook—they deserve to find someone who truly aligns with their vision. Our personality-based matching system adds a layer of insight that no one else in the industry is offering.
💡 How does this help sellers?
✅ Confidence in the buyer: Knowing that the buyer’s leadership style aligns with the company culture makes for a smoother transition.
✅ Preserving legacy: Ensures that sellers can trust the buyer to continue the mission and values they built.
✅ Avoiding future regrets: Reduces the chance of post-sale regret by ensuring compatibility before the deal is done.
The Big Decision That Brokers Won’t Push You to Make
Brokers are essential in the sale process, but let’s be honest—their job is to get the deal closed, not to introduce anything that might slow things down. They’re not incentivized to dig into personality compatibility because if it creates hesitation or friction, it might delay or kill the deal.
But for sellers, this is one of the biggest decisions of their lives. It’s not just about selling—it’s about selling to the right person. That’s why personality matching matters. It’s an extra layer of protection against selling to someone who may not be the best fit.
Sellers Should Have the Power to Choose the Right Buyer
ETA is growing in popularity, and more buyers than ever are entering the market. That means sellers need new ways to vet buyers beyond just financials. With ETA Match, sellers now have a tool that allows them to confidently assess who they’re selling to—not just how much they’re selling for.
Because in the end, selling a business isn’t just about letting go. It’s about passing the torch to the right hands. 🔥
🚀 Want to learn more about how ETA Match can help you find the right buyer? Visit ETAMatch.com
