Should I Buy or Start a Business?
Buy vs. Build: Why Buying a Business May Be the Smarter Move
Starting a business from scratch might sound exciting—but the reality is harsh: over 90% of startups fail. In this video, I share why most people would be better off buying a business instead of building one from the ground up.
We explore the logic behind this path, how to know if you're a good fit, and what makes buying an existing business a more realistic, scalable, and financeable way to achieve entrepreneurial freedom.
Why Building Isn’t Always the Best Option
Founding a company is often romanticized—but that “zero to one” phase is the most brutal. It’s where most would-be entrepreneurs burn out, run out of money, or get stuck pushing uphill with little to show for it.
Buying a Business: A Better Starting Point
Walker Deibel’s Buy Then Build captures this idea well: Instead of creating something from nothing, buy a company with proven revenues, existing profits, and a history of success—then grow it.
You skip the riskiest phase and apply your energy toward optimization, scaling, and innovation—not survival.
Are You Better Suited to Buy?
Ask yourself:
Have you ever thought, “I could run this company better”?
Do you enjoy managing budgets, improving operations, or leading teams?
Do you already bring operational or management experience to the table?
If you’re nodding yes, you may be perfectly suited to buy and grow a business—but poorly positioned to found one.
When Should You Consider Starting Instead?
There are rare cases when founding a company makes sense:
You’re building something truly new and innovative
You have access to low-cost startup capital
You’re solving a unique problem not yet addressed in the market
But it’s harder to finance, attract investors, or get loans for a startup with no cash flow or operating history.
Buying Gives You Leverage
When you buy an existing business:
You can access SBA loans (sometimes over 90% of purchase!) for funding
You present investors with a company that already generates cash
You’re working on a business, not just struggling to get into business
Final Thoughts
Buying a business isn’t easy—it takes skill, work, and due diligence. But for many aspiring entrepreneurs, it’s a faster, more scalable path to ownership and financial freedom than building from scratch.
Want to read more on this topic? Read our full blog here.
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