How I Evaluate Management Teams Before Buying a Business
A business is only as strong as the team leading it. Before I buy a company, I study the management team closely—their leadership, alignment with culture, and ability to grow the business beyond its current stage. In this article, I share my approach to evaluating management teams, the red flags I watch for, and why this step often determines whether I move forward with an acquisition.
The Role of Leadership in Successful Business Acquisitions
Leadership is often the difference between a smooth acquisition and a failed one. I’ve learned that strong leadership helps retain employees, integrate culture, and stabilize operations after a sale. In this article, I share the role leadership plays in acquisition success, how I evaluate it before buying, and the steps I take to ensure leadership continuity in the businesses I acquire.
How I Approach Negotiating Seller Financing in Acquisitions
Seller financing can bridge gaps in a deal, but only if it’s structured carefully. I’ve learned to negotiate terms that protect me as a buyer while keeping sellers aligned with post-acquisition success. In this article, I share my approach to negotiating seller financing, the red flags I watch for, and how I balance repayment, risk, and incentives to build deals that work for both sides.
How I Balance Growth Opportunities With Risk Management in Acquisitions
Every acquisition is a balancing act between chasing growth and managing risk. I’ve seen deals fall apart because buyers focused only on upside potential without preparing for the downside. In this article, I share how I balance growth opportunities with risk management, the frameworks I use to evaluate trade-offs, and why this discipline helps me protect capital while still creating long-term upside.
Why Recurring Revenue Models Change the Entire Value of a Business
Recurring revenue doesn’t just boost income—it transforms the way a business is valued. When income is predictable and repeatable, it reduces risk, improves cash flow stability, and increases buyer confidence. In this article, I share why recurring revenue models change the entire value of a business, how I evaluate them during due diligence, and why they’ve become one of my top criteria in acquisitions.
Why Customer Retention is More Valuable Than Customer Growth in Acquisitions
Customer growth looks exciting on paper, but in acquisitions, retention often matters more. Loyal customers provide stable cash flow, reduce churn risk, and increase lifetime value—all of which strengthen valuations. In this article, I share why I prioritize customer retention over pure growth, how I measure it during due diligence, and why it’s one of the most reliable indicators of long-term success after an acquisition.
How I Manage Transition Periods After Acquiring a Company
The transition period after an acquisition is one of the most fragile stages of ownership. I’ve seen companies lose momentum when sellers exit too fast or knowledge isn’t properly transferred. In this article, I share how I manage transition periods, from building trust with employees to structuring seller involvement, and why handling this stage well is critical for long-term stability and growth.
Lessons From Businesses That I Chose Not to Buy (And Why)
Some of the best decisions I’ve ever made were the deals I didn’t do. Walking away from the wrong business has saved me time, money, and energy. In this article, I share the lessons I’ve learned from businesses I chose not to buy, the red flags that made me step back, and why discipline in saying “no” is just as important as the ability to close a deal.
Why Seller Relationships Can Make or Break Your Business Acquisition
In every acquisition I’ve done, the seller relationship has been one of the biggest success factors. A strong relationship builds trust, smooths negotiations, and ensures cooperation during the transition period. A poor one, on the other hand, can derail a deal or poison integration. In this article, I share why seller relationships can make or break an acquisition and how I work to build trust from the very first meeting.
The Mistakes I See Buyers Make When Entering Private Equity Deals
Over the years, I’ve seen buyers repeat the same costly mistakes when entering private equity deals. From overestimating growth potential to underestimating integration challenges, these missteps often derail acquisitions. In this article, I share the most common mistakes I’ve observed, why they happen, and how I avoid them to ensure every deal is set up for long-term success.
What a Buyer Should Always Ask Before Signing a Purchase Agreement
Before signing a purchase agreement, the right questions can save a buyer from costly surprises. I’ve learned that clarity around liabilities, working capital, customer contracts, and transition terms is essential. In this article, I share the questions I always ask before signing, why they matter, and how they help me protect both valuation and long-term success in acquisitions.
How I’ve Used Relationships to Find Off-Market Businesses for Sale
Some of my best acquisitions never hit a broker’s listing—they came through relationships. By building trust with owners, advisors, and industry peers, I’ve uncovered off-market businesses that most buyers never see. In this article, I share how I use relationships to source hidden opportunities, why networking matters in acquisitions, and how trust often delivers better deals than traditional listings.