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SMB Acquisition Guides & Insights
Practical guides for buyers evaluating small business acquisitions.
How to Evaluate a Small Business for Acquisition: The Complete Guide
A step-by-step framework for evaluating any small business acquisition — from reading the financials to stress-testing the DSCR and spotting owner dependency risk.
24 March 2026
What is a Good DSCR When Buying a Business?
DSCR is the single most important financing metric in a business acquisition. Here's what a good DSCR looks like, how to calculate it, and what to do when it falls short.
23 March 2026
EBITDA vs SDE: Which Should You Use When Buying a Small Business?
EBITDA and SDE are both used to value small businesses — but they measure different things. Using the wrong one inflates the multiple and overstates financing risk. Here's when to use each.
22 March 2026
How to Read an Information Memorandum (IM)
An Information Memorandum is the primary document in any business sale. Here's how to read one critically — what to extract, what to verify, and what the omissions tell you.
21 March 2026
Small Business Acquisition Multiples by Industry: 2025 Guide
What multiple should you pay for a small business? It depends entirely on the industry. Here's a complete breakdown of acquisition multiples across 9 SMB categories.
20 March 2026
ETA (Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition): The Beginner's Guide
Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition is the path of buying an existing profitable business instead of starting one from scratch. Here's what it is, who it's for, and how to get started.
19 March 2026
Buying a Laundromat: Is It a Good Investment?
Laundromats are consistently one of the highest-rated SMB acquisitions: strong margins, low owner dependency, and recession-resistant demand. Here's what the numbers actually look like.
18 March 2026
What Is Owner Dependency Risk — And Why It Kills Deals
Owner dependency is the silent deal-killer in SMB acquisitions. A business that depends on its current owner can lose 30–50% of its value the moment that owner walks out the door. Here's how to assess it.
17 March 2026
How to Finance a Small Business Acquisition Without a Huge Deposit
Most SMB acquisitions are financed with a combination of bank debt, equity, and vendor finance. Here's how to structure a deal that works without needing a massive deposit.
16 March 2026
The 5 Red Flags That Kill Business Acquisitions
Most failed acquisitions had warning signs that were visible early. Here are the five red flags that should stop any deal in its tracks — and what to do when you encounter them.
15 March 2026