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Top M&A Entrepreneurs
Welcome to Top M&A Entrepreneurs – your go-to resource for inspiration, insight, and actionable advice on business buying. Each episode features engaging conversations with business buyers who share their “why” and industry service providers who break down the “how.” Learn from the pros and take your next step toward a successful acquisition with confidence.
Top M&A Entrepreneurs
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What We Talked About:
I sat down with Sean Smith from SMB Investor Network and we broke down exactly how first-time buyers can actually raise equity to buy a small business — without the usual myths, BS, or dead-end advice.
We covered:
- What investors really want to see before they write a check
- Why having your own skin in the game still matters (sorry, no magic button)
- How to spot businesses that actually attract investors — and which ones scare them off
- The biggest red flags investors look for (and how to avoid them)
- Why SMB investing is exploding right now — and how you can ride the wave
- How to get your deal in front of the right investors (instead of getting ghosted)
- How to position yourself so investors want to work with you
If you’re serious about raising money to buy a business — and you’re tired of bad advice — you’ll want to hear this.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to SMB Investor Network
02:53 The Need for Equity Injection in SMB Acquisitions
06:05 Understanding Investor Preferences and Deal Dynamics
09:12 Evaluating Different Business Models for Investment
12:00 Challenges in Funding Professional Services Firms
15:03 Navigating Personal Capital Requirements for Buyers
18:08 Investor Expectations and Myths in SMB Acquisitions
24:31 Understanding Financial Discrepancies in Business Valuation
26:11 The Importance of Quality of Earnings Reports
27:38 Structuring Attractive Terms for Equity Raises
30:10 Identifying Red Flags in Investment Deals
34:28 The Growing Interest in SMB Investments
36:49 The Process of Submitting Deals to SMB Investor Network
39:01 Strategies for Generating Interest in Investment Deals
41:46 Understanding the Investment Structure and Rights
45:17 The Value Proposition for Passive Investors