Why Compatibility Still Gets Overlooked in ETA (And Why It Shouldn’t)
Inspired by HBS’s “Think Big, Buy Small” Podcast featuring Kent Weaver I recently listened to a great episode of Think Big, Buy Small from Harvard Business School. In it, special guest Kent Weaver dove into what makes a small business acquisition actually work — and spoiler alert: it’s not just about the numbers. As I […]
From Portable Sinks to the Perfect Fit — Why ETA Match Matters
Reading the recent article from Polsky about John and Natalie Gandy building a thriving business around portable sinks brought a huge smile to my face. Not just because their story is inspiring (which it is), but because I know how rare it is to see that kind of fit between a seller and a buyer. […]
Why a Boring Business Might Be Your Ticket To Millions in ETA
I recently finished reading the NYT article, “In Search of a Boring Business“, an article that highlights the appeal in investing in stable, low-risk companies that, while not glamorous, offer consistent returns. Similar to the strategy laid out in full in Walter Deibel book Buy then Build, there is a statistically compelling reason to purchase […]
The Silver Tsunami: Boomers are selling their businesses, but what responsibilities come with the purchase?
Last August, The Guardian published the article “Boomers are selling businesses to millennials in a generational handover” that highlighted the massive shift in SMB ownership. Despite the global and economic uncertainty, this is one of the biggest wealth transfers in history, and it presents huge opportunities for buyers looking to take over established businesses. But […]
Seller Legacy – The One Thing No One Talks About When Selling a Business
I read the Forbes article: How to Know When to Sell Your Business recently about knowing when to sell your business. It covered the usual reasons—burnout, market shifts, financial opportunity—but it left out something that I think matters just as much as timing: who you sell to. Most of the industry treats selling a business as a financial transaction. Brokers […]
ETA – Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition: A Seller’s Perspective and Why Personality Fit Matters
The article “What is Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition?” from Venture for Canada does a great job of breaking down ETA—how it works, why it’s growing in popularity, and why it’s an exciting path for ambitious entrepreneurs. But while the article focuses on the opportunity for buyers, it leaves out one major piece of the puzzle: What does ETA mean for sellers? […]