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 for sellers, this transition isn’t always simple. Selling a business is about more than just getting a check—it’s about making sure the right person takes over. A lot of Boomer owners spent decades building their companies, forming close relationships with employees and customers. The thought of handing it off to someone they barely know can be unsettling. My father ran and operated his concrete and excavation company for nearly forty years, and handing it over was an incredibly emotional experience for both himself and our entire family. In the end, the new company simply shut the doors, absorbed the equipment, and used the change to vertically integrate. It was a crushing experience for us all.
Unfortunately, this is all too common in the fast paced world of entrepreneurship through acquisition.
For many reasons, in the traditional business sale process, fit and alignment aren’t really considered. Deals are made based on finances and speed, not on whether the buyer actually shares the seller’s values or leadership style. And that’s a huge gap in the market.
More Than Just a Sale—This Is a Legacy
When selling a business, owners are typically told to focus on:
✅ How much they can get for it
✅ Whether the buyer is financially qualified
✅ How quickly the deal can close
But this feels like a very short-sighted view for the seller AND the buyer. To ensure success, we should also be considering:
🔹 Will this new owner take care of my employees?
🔹 Will customers still trust and respect the business under new leadership?
🔹 Will the buyer’s decisions align with the company’s culture and long-term success?
These questions matter, but they rarely factor into the sale process. Brokers and marketplaces are incentivized to close deals fast, not to ensure that buyers and sellers actually click.
And when a buyer and seller aren’t aligned? Transitions get messy. Employees leave, customers notice the change, and the business struggles under new ownership.
ETA Match: Helping Sellers Find the Right Buyer—Not Just Any Buyer
This is why I decided to create ETA Match. I believe that business deals should consider more than just financials—they should also factor in personality, leadership style, and long-term vision.
Here’s how we help:
✔️ We match sellers with buyers based on more than just money—we look at whether they’re the right fit to run the business.
✔️ We assess leadership style, decision-making approach, and personality traits to ensure the transition will be smooth.
✔️ We help sellers feel confident that their business is going to someone who truly understands and respects what they’ve built.
Because when you’ve spent years—maybe even a lifetime—building something valuable, you shouldn’t have to just hope the new owner does the right thing.
If you’re a business owner thinking about selling, don’t just look at the offer—look at the person behind it.
ETA Match helps you find a buyer who truly fits.
🚀 Learn more → ETAMatch.com
