Before You Buy or Sell a Business

What kind of person should actually buy a business, and who should not?

In this episode of Before You Buy or Sell a Business, Jared Johnson talks with David Barnett, former business broker, author, and small business advisor, about what buyers need to know before stepping into business ownership.

They cover who should and shouldn’t buy a small business, how the acquisition landscape has changed, and the mistakes new buyers make by re...

In this episode, Jared Johnson sits down with Nadav Ben-Chanoch, a former tech operator turned small business acquirer, to unpack why more founders are skipping startups and choosing to buy real businesses instead.

Nadav shares how his experience in Silicon Valley shaped his approach to deal-making, why he walked away from the traditional venture path, and what he’s learned transitioning from building software to operating a brick-a...

In this episode, Jared Johnson sits down with Michael Seitz, CEO & Chairman of EarthWise Pet, for a wide-ranging conversation on entrepreneurship, franchising, M&A strategy, and what it really takes to build and scale a brand in a mission-driven industry.

Michael shares how growing up in a family business shaped his values, how almost becoming a dentist led him back to his entrepreneurial roots, and the hard-earned...

In this episode of the Before You Buy or Sell a Business podcast, host Jared Johnson welcomes Mark Fleming, a specialist in business acquisitions and co-founder of Owner Actions.

Mark shares his journey from a background steeped in finance and trading to becoming an essential guide for investors at the critical 'search' stage of business acquisition. He emphasizes the challenging yet crucial initial phase of the acquisition process...

In this episode of the "Before You Buy or Sell a Business Podcast," host Jared Johnson welcomes Jason Boehning, an HVAC industry professional who has successfully acquired two businesses over a short period.

The discussion delves into the intricacies of acquiring businesses, highlighting Jason's strategic mindset and the unique competitive advantage he enjoys due to his engineering background. This episode offers listeners invaluab...

Navigating the intricate world of buying and selling businesses can be challenging. Understanding due diligence, valuations, and the right mindset is crucial.

In this episode of the "Before You Buy or Sell a Business" podcast, host Jared Johnson engages Rosco Graves from Polaxis in a deep dive into the nuances of buying and selling businesses.

They discuss the pertinent steps necessary for a successful business acquisition or sale, ...

"The more parties you get investing in your deal, the less of a chance you're going to buy a bad deal."

In Part 2 of this two-part episode of the Before You Buy or Sell a Business podcast, I talk with SBA loan borrowers about the business they end up buying: an HVAC business.

From initial deal discovery to negotiating terms and finalizing the purchase, this episode provides a thorough examination of each step potential buyers sho...

In this two-part episode of the  @beforeyoubuyorsellabusiness  I sit down with my borrowers, Peter Hucal and Garrett Johnson, two dynamic entrepreneurs from Wharton who embarked on a journey of Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA).

Their diverse backgrounds across engineering, project management, social impact, and consultancy have uniquely positioned them for success in the acquisition space. Tune in as they share ...

In this episode of "Before You Buy or Sell a Business," host Jared Johnson welcomes Conner Young, co-founder of Kairo Data. The conversation centers around Kairo Data's innovative platform, designed to streamline the process of finding and acquiring small to medium-sized businesses. Conner shares his team's journey from traditional wealth management to solving complex acquisition challenges through proprietary databases and off-mar...

Before you buy or sell a business, perhaps you've read "Buy Then Build."

Today's podcast guest, Matt Crowder, talks about how that book set him further down the entrepreneurial path.

Matt, a borrower I worked with, recently acquired Western Stairlifts, a business specializing in home mobility equipment. We explore his transition from a traditional career in the tech industry to full-time entrepreneurship. The guest shares the pivotal...

Before You Buy or Sell a Business, be prepared.

That's what today's guest would tell anyone who is looking to buy a business like he did.

I am happy that I got to sit down with George Ayomide, a two-time borrower of mine. George is an ambitious entrepreneur who has made significant strides in the business world. From his early business experience in Nigeria to his successful ventures in the United States, George shares his insigh...

Before you buy a business, ask the seller this question, "What are some problems you've dealt with in the last month?"

Keira Hamilton asked that question to the seller before she bought the laundromat that she now owns.

Join me in this captivating conversation with Keira Hamilton, a former educator turned entrepreneur.

We'll delve into the nuances of due diligence, the realities of owning a laundromat, and the transition from rea...

Selling a business is no small feat, and it requires astute planning, risk-taking, and timely decisions. Thomas Perkins, a seasoned entrepreneur, recently shared his wisdom on the "Before You Buy or Sell a Business" podcast.

His journey from being a self-employed barber to a successful business owner of a company grossing $3.5 million annually carries valuable lessons for anyone considering embarking on this path.

In this podcas...

Buyers and sellers can be friends, right? Well, what about business partners that work together to scale HVAC businesses?

In this episode of the Before You Buy or Sell a Business podcast, I sit down with Marc Chard and Spencer Satorie of Apex Services dive into their journey of expanding HVAC companies, sharing insights on acquisitions, systems implementation, and management across multiple locations.

From their initial partnership ...

Before you buy or sell a business, hear Josh Levine on the nuances and evolving trends in the business acquisition landscape.

In today’s podcast episode, I am joined again (see episode 5) by Josh Levine of Private Market Labs where we talk about:

• Importance of Focus: Presenting a clear and specific investment thesis helps you stand out to brokers and streamlines the decision-making process.
• Role of Brokers: Using brokers can e...

In this episode of the Before You Buy or Sell a Business podcast, host Jared Johnson sits down with long-time friends and now business owners, Brandt and Danielle Badouin.

The couple shares their journey from their respective corporate careers to purchasing a nail salon, highlighting the challenges and triumphs they experienced along the way. Jared and the Badouins delve into the nuances of transitioning from being employees to bus...

Welcome back to another episode of the "Before You Buy or Sell a Business" podcast, host Jared Johnson engages in an insightful conversation with Jeanise Hatcher, a dynamic entrepreneur who transitioned from a corporate career to owning a Pilates studio in Austin, Texas.

Initially stumbling upon Pilates during her recovery from a dance injury, Jeanise found a new passion that she decided to transform into a business venture. She ca...

Welcome back to another episode of the Before You Buy or Sell a Business podcast.

Recently, I sat down with Rand Larsen and he shared his journey from startup adventures to carving out a niche in the entrepreneurial through acquisition (ETA) space. The discussion unfolds with an exploratory look into Rand's foray into starting his own company and the lessons learned from its quick demise due to external factors like the pandemic. Hi...

Welcome back to another episode of Before You Buy or Sell a Business.

Today, I am happy to introduce a past borrower, Derek Croft, whose recent venture into business ownership presents a unique and fascinating case study for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Derek opens up about his transformative journey, beginning with his engineering background, MBA pursuit, and foray into consulting at a top-tier firm. Realizing that his true calling lay ...