Tag: due diligence

Blog, Private Equity & Business Buying

The Importance of Due Diligence on Employee Roles in Small Business Acquisitions

Employees are the backbone of any small business, but too often buyers overlook their roles during acquisitions. I’ve learned that understanding responsibilities, dependencies, and key-person risks can make or break a deal. In this article, I share why I conduct deep due diligence on employee roles, what I look for, and how it shapes my integration strategy.

November 13, 20253 min read
Blog, Private Equity & Business Buying

The Questions I Ask to Test Customer Loyalty Before Buying a Business

Customer loyalty is one of the best indicators of business strength. Before buying a company, I ask specific questions to test how loyal the customer base really is—because revenue without loyalty can disappear fast. In this article, I share the questions I rely on, what answers reveal about customer retention, and how loyalty impacts the price I’m willing to pay.

November 4, 20254 min read
Blog, Private Equity & Business Buying

The First Questions I Ask When Meeting a Seller

The first meeting with a seller sets the tone for the entire acquisition process. I’ve learned that asking the right questions early uncovers motivations, potential risks, and whether the seller is truly aligned with me as a buyer. In this article, I share the first questions I always ask, why they matter, and how they help me decide if it’s worth moving forward.

October 29, 20254 min read
Blog, Private Equity & Business Buying

The First Metrics I Study When Looking at a Potential Acquisition

When I evaluate a potential acquisition, I don’t start with lofty projections—I start with the fundamentals. Cash flow, margins, customer concentration, and recurring revenue are the first numbers I study to see if a business is healthy or hiding risks. In this article, I share why these metrics matter most, how I interpret them, and how they guide my acquisition decisions.

October 25, 20254 min read
Blog, Private Equity & Business Buying

The Most Common Red Flags I Spot During Due Diligence

Due diligence is where the truth of a business reveals itself. Over time, I’ve learned to spot common red flags—messy financials, customer concentration, hidden debts, or unreliable vendor contracts—that can derail a deal. In this article, I share the warning signs I consistently watch for during due diligence, and why catching them early protects me from costly acquisition mistakes.

October 14, 20255 min read
Blog, Private Equity & Business Buying

Why I Always Study Customer Concentration Before Buying a Business

I’ve seen too many businesses that look strong but rely on just a few customers for most of their revenue. That kind of concentration can wipe out value overnight if a single client leaves. That’s why I always study customer concentration before buying. In this article, I share how I analyze customer mix, why it matters for valuation, and the risks it can reveal during due diligence.

October 13, 20254 min read
Blog, Private Equity & Business Buying

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.

September 30, 20255 min read
Blog, Private Equity & Business Buying

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.

September 28, 20256 min read
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