Articles
Long-form guides for buyers
Deep dives on the topics that come up before, during, and after making an offer. Valuation, SBA financing, deal structure, diligence red flags — written for buyers who want to understand what they're looking at.
Financial Analysis
Stop Valuing Every Online Business the Same Way. SaaS Math Will Wreck You on an Ecommerce Deal.
Applying the same valuation framework to every online business model is one of the most expensive mistakes a first-time buyer can make. Here's what changes by model and why it matters.
9 min readDeal Structure & Financing
How to Read a Seller Note Before You Sign One: 6 Terms That Can Gut Your Deal
A seller note has six clauses that can turn a clean acquisition into a personal liability nightmare. Here's how to find and negotiate each one before you sign.
10 min readGetting Started
Stop Treating Customer Concentration as a Deal-Killer. It's Actually a Negotiating Tool
Customer concentration isn't a reason to walk away from a SaaS listing. It's a reason to reprice it, restructure it, and potentially buy a better business at a discount than the seller expected.
7 min readDeal Structure & Financing
How to Close an SBA-Financed Business Acquisition in 90 Days (Before the Seller Loses Patience)
Most SBA 7(a) acquisitions stall not because of bad credit or a weak business, but because buyers show up unprepared at every stage of a predictable six-step process.
9 min readDeal Structure & Financing
SBA Loans Explained for First-Time Business Buyers
Everything you need to know about SBA 7(a) loans for business acquisitions: eligibility, terms, the application process, and common pitfalls.
9 min readDeal Structure & Financing
Seller Financing: How It Works and Why Sellers Offer It
A practical guide to seller financing: typical terms, negotiation strategies, and why it can be a win-win deal structure.
8 min readDue Diligence
The 10 Red Flags That Kill Small Business Deals
Learn to spot the warning signs that experienced buyers look for before you waste time and money on a bad deal.
10 min readFinancial Analysis
What Is My Target Business Actually Worth? A Practical Guide to Valuation Multiples
Demystifying valuation multiples: how they work, what drives them, and how to use them to evaluate any small business listing.
11 min readFinancial Analysis
SDE vs. EBITDA: Which Earnings Metric Matters for Your Deal?
Understand when to use SDE versus EBITDA and why choosing the wrong metric can lead to overpaying for a business.
7 min readFinancial Analysis
How to Calculate Seller's Discretionary Earnings (SDE) for Any Business
Step-by-step guide to calculating SDE, including which add-backs are legitimate and which ones should raise concerns.
9 min readGetting Started
What Does It Actually Cost to Buy a Small Business?
A comprehensive breakdown of acquisition costs beyond the purchase price, from due diligence fees to working capital requirements.
8 min read