Why I Study Cultural Fit Before Buying a Business
Numbers can close a deal, but culture determines whether it thrives. I’ve learned to study cultural fit before every acquisition because mismatched values and leadership styles often lead to failure. In this article, I explain how I evaluate culture, what signals I watch for, and why it has become one of my top priorities before buying a business.
How I Think About Marketing Systems in Acquisitions
Strong marketing systems create predictable growth. When I evaluate a business, I don’t just look at revenue—I look at whether the marketing engine is repeatable, scalable, and data-driven. In this article, I share how I think about marketing systems in acquisitions, the red flags I watch for, and why they often determine whether a business can grow sustainably after I buy it.
Why I Study Lease Agreements Carefully Before Buying a Business
Lease agreements can hide risks that sink a deal. From rent escalations to restrictive clauses, I’ve learned to study every detail before buying a business. In this article, I share how I evaluate leases during due diligence, what red flags I watch for, and why they often play a bigger role in acquisition outcomes than most buyers expect.
How I Approach Negotiating Seller Transition Periods
Transition periods are some of the most delicate parts of acquisitions. Sellers often underestimate the importance of staying involved long enough to transfer relationships, knowledge, and credibility. In this article, I share how I negotiate seller transition terms, balance timelines with incentives, and ensure that the business doesn’t lose momentum during the critical handover phase.
Why I Believe Culture Is More Important Than Strategy in Acquisitions
I’ve seen great strategies fail because the culture wasn’t aligned. In acquisitions, culture drives whether employees stay, systems work, and customers trust the transition. Strategy sets direction, but culture determines execution. In this article, I share why I prioritize cultural fit over strategy in every deal and how it shapes the long-term success of my acquisitions.
Why I Treat Cash Flow as King in Every Acquisition
If there’s one lesson I’ve learned in acquisitions, it’s this: cash flow is king. Revenue and profit projections mean little without strong, reliable cash flow. I focus heavily on understanding how money actually moves through a business, testing different scenarios, and ensuring liquidity can withstand downturns. In this article, I share why cash flow dominates my acquisition decisions and how it shapes the price I’m willing to pay.
How I Value Small Businesses Without Overcomplicating the Math
Valuing a small business doesn’t need to be complicated. Over the years, I’ve developed a simple framework that cuts through noise and focuses on what truly drives value—cash flow, customer stability, and growth potential. In this article, I share how I value businesses without drowning in complex models, and why a clear, disciplined approach leads to smarter acquisition decisions.
How I Structure Earnouts to Align Seller and Buyer Interests
Earnouts can either create trust or chaos depending on how they’re structured. I’ve learned that when done right, they align seller and buyer interests by tying payouts to performance milestones. In this article, I share how I structure earnouts to reduce risk, build fairness into deals, and ensure both sides are incentivized for long-term success after acquisition.
Why I Believe Culture Eats Strategy in Business Acquisitions
I’ve seen flawless strategies fall apart because the culture wasn’t aligned. In acquisitions, culture drives execution, employee engagement, and whether a business thrives after a deal closes. Strategy sets the plan, but culture fuels the people who must carry it out. In this article, I share why I believe culture consistently eats strategy in business acquisitions and why I always make it a top priority in due diligence.
The Difference Between Buying Assets and Buying Equity in a Business
When buying a business, one of the most important decisions is whether to purchase assets or equity. Each path has different implications for risk, liability, and long-term value. I’ve learned that understanding these differences is critical for making the right deal structure choice. In this article, I break down how I evaluate asset vs. equity purchases and why the structure often determines the success of an acquisition.
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.