Why Boomers Aren’t Selling—And What Smart Buyers Are Doing Instead

Are we really facing a “silver tsunami” of baby boomer business sales—or is the market telling a different story? In this episode, seasoned M&A broker and entrepreneur Clint Fiore breaks down the real state of small business acquisitions. With nearly a decade of deal-making experience and hands-on ownership under his belt, Clint shares hard truths about seller psychology, why so many businesses are “unsellable,” and how savvy buyers can find hidden gems and structure win-win deals.
From the post-COVID M&A boom to navigating seller burnout, minority equity structures, and tax-efficient exits—this is a masterclass for anyone looking to buy, sell, or invest in small businesses.

 00:00 – Clint’s background: Broker, entrepreneur, investor
 00:56 – How COVID impacted deal flow
 02:37 – Why the “boomer wave” is overhyped
 04:34 – The mismatch between buyer demand & quality supply
 06:05 – What makes a business “acquirable”?
 07:57 – Platform vs bolt-on deals
 09:00 – The psychology of sellers (burnout, life transitions)
 11:12 – Midlife sellers: Why they exit earlier than expected
 12:27 – The power of being an “easy button” buyer
 14:01 – How to build trust with brokers & find off-market deals
 16:06 – How CPAs, attorneys & real estate agents open doors
 18:45 – Clint’s investing criteria & how he chooses deals
 21:57 – The ideal structure for minority equity partnerships
 24:49 – Operating agreements: What to always include
 28:00 – How to protect your downside as a minority partner
 31:03 – How Clint evaluates potential operators
 36:10 – Building a brand in your industry niche
 39:00 – What Clint would do with $250K in Florida
 41:45 – Why random “weird” businesses might be the best
 44:22 – The best places to meet real brokers
 46:03 – How to spot red flags in owner-run businesses
 48:40 – The difference between routine vs chaos in operations
 50:20 – Buyer-Side advisory, national reach & how to connect


 Looking to buy or sell a 7-figure business? We work with sellers and buyers across the U.S., specializing in $1M–$10M deals (most SBA-backed). This episode will help you understand the mindset, systems, and strategy needed to succeed in M&A—without getting burned.

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