M&A insights for business owners
Valuation multiples, buyer guides and exit planning for owners of $5M–$50M revenue businesses. Written by the team that runs the deals.
Strategic Buyer vs Financial Buyer: What Every Business Owner Should Know Before Selling
Wondering whether to sell to a strategic buyer or a financial buyer? Here is how each buyer type values your business, structures the deal, and shapes your life after the transaction.
Quality of Earnings for SBA Loans: New 2026 Rules Every Buyer Must Know
The SBA now mandates an independent quality of earnings report for 7(a) change-of-ownership loans of $3 million or more. Here is what the new rule means for buyers, sellers, and lenders, and how to prepare before it takes effect on October 1, 2026.
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.
Private Equity Rollovers: How to Sell Your Company Twice
Many founders sell too early. The private equity rollover lets you sell once for liquidity, stay in to grow with capital and expertise, and sell again for a second, larger payday. Here’s how it works and what to watch for.
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.