Breakwater M&A Blog: Expert Insights for Buying & Selling Businesses
Explore valuable articles, guides, and strategies tailored for entrepreneurs preparing to sell businesses in the $2M-$20M revenue range.
The Debt Stack: Understanding M&A Financing Beyond Bank Loans
The financing behind an acquisition is a strategic lever, not just a closing requirement. Here's how PE funds, corporate strategics, and independent sponsors structure capital to maximize returns and manage risk across the deal lifecycle.
Using Debt to Buy a Business: How Leverage Works in Acquisitions
For most business buyers, debt is not a risk—it is a tool. Here is how leverage works in acquisitions, how SBA loans make it possible, and what lenders actually look for when financing your deal.
SDE vs EBITDA: What Buyers Need to Know Before Valuing a Business
Buying a business is hard enough without confusing financial jargon. Two of the most misunderstood terms are SDE and EBITDA. They both try to answer the same question: how much money does this business really produce? But they are not interchangeable, and using the wrong one can lead to serious overpaying or walking away from a great deal.
How to Conduct Due Diligence When Buying a Business
Buying a business can be a fast track to growth—or a costly mistake. This guide walks through practical due diligence steps across finance, legal, and operations so you can separate solid acquisitions from painful surprises and move forward with confidence.
Growth Through Acquisition: The Entrepreneur’s Playbook
Thinking about buying businesses instead of building from scratch? This playbook walks through how entrepreneurs and small PE-backed operators can use acquisition as a growth engine—from identifying the right targets, to funding your deals, to integrating new teams without blowing up culture. Learn how to structure a roll-up strategy that compounds value instead of chaos.
10 Mistakes First-Time Buyers Make When Acquiring a Business
Buying a business can be the fastest way to grow—or the quickest way to blow up value. This post walks through 10 common mistakes first-time buyers make when acquiring a business and how to avoid them so your next deal actually moves your strategy forward.
Should I Sell My Company to My Employees? A Practical Guide for Owners
If you have a strong team and are thinking about succession, selling your company to your employees can be a powerful way to protect your legacy and reward the people who helped build it. This guide walks through when an employee buy-out makes sense, how it’s funded, and what to watch out for so you do not put your retirement at risk.
Management Buy-Out: How to Buy Out Your Boss
Ready to buy the business you help run? Learn how to structure the deal, secure funding, and become an owner, even with limited capital.
The PE Playbook: 9 Attacks Private Equity Use to Lower Your Valuation. How Entrepreneurs Can Defend Themselves
Private equity buyers are skilled at lowering valuations. Here are the nine tactics they use most often and how founders can protect their number.
Buying a Competitor: How to Value their Business
Buying a competitor business can fast-track your growth—but only if you evaluate the right factors. Learn how to assess synergies, cultural alignment, and deal risks before making your move.
How to Value a Business Before You Buy It
A practical guide for acquisition entrepreneurs on how to value a small business before submitting an LOI. Learn to normalize EBITDA, apply risk-adjusted multiples, compare similar deals, and sense-check payback periods. Includes a simple framework and advice on when to hire professionals.
The Million Dollar Business Exit Guide: Part 5
Learn how to negotiate the sale of your business to maximize value—not just price. Understand key M&A deal terms like earn-outs, seller financing, and risk allocation. Breakwater Advisors helps founders secure better outcomes with higher cash at close and lower risk.
The Million Dollar Business Exit Guide: Part 4
Learn how to market your $2M-$20M business to the right buyers, from strategic acquirers to private equity firms. Understand different buyer types and how to position your company for maximum value.
The Million Dollar Business Exit Guide: Part 3
Learn how to structure your business sale—asset vs. stock sale—to minimize taxes, reduce risk, and maximize value. This guide helps $2M–$20M business owners make informed M&A decisions.
The Million Dollar Business Exit Guide: Part 2
What is your business really worth? In Part 2 of The Million Dollar Business Exit Guide, we break down the 7 key drivers of valuation and how to position your company for a premium exit—even before going to market.
Why SaaS Founders Are Buying Brick & Mortar Businesses
With AI disrupting SaaS margins, savvy tech founders are acquiring brick & mortar businesses to diversify. Learn why service-based companies with $2M–$20M revenue are the smart hedge—and how to avoid the myths around SMB acquisitions.
The Million Dollar Business Exit Guide: Part 1
Thinking of selling your business? Start with a strong foundation. In Part 1 of The Million Dollar Business Exit Guide, learn how to increase value, reduce risk, and prepare financially and operationally for a smooth, high-value exit.
The Truth About Buying Businesses with $0 Down
Discover the truth about "$0 down" business acquisitions and learn how independent sponsors actually structure deals to buy companies without using their own capital. While social media influencers promote unrealistic expectations about no-money-down business buying, this article reveals the legitimate path of independent sponsorship. Learn about working with SBIC lenders, structuring deals, and achieving successful exits like Chris Edwards' 24x return. Perfect for aspiring acquisition entrepreneurs seeking to understand the realities of modern business buying strategies.