Those new to entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA) sometimes overlook the importance of pleasing the seller, and a strained relationship becomes the downfall of their deal. Avoid this outcome by attending to the seller from the outset. Try these five strategies to begin building a mutually beneficial relationship.

SMB podcasts tend to take a more informal approach and offer real-world deal stories that reveal what this world is really like. Plus, they’re totally free, so you can learn all you want at your own pace.

I’ve had the pleasure of joining several of my SMB colleagues on their podcasts. Here are my top 10 SMB podcasts that I would recommend to any self-funded searcher.

Negotiations are often the last hurdle you need to clear before your target business becomes yours. By the time you reach this stage, you have researched the company, gotten to know the seller, and wrapped your mind around operations. Through the process of due diligence, you’ve uncovered information that alters your initial impression of the deal. Now, it’s your opportunity to utilize what you have learned to negotiate the best deal possible.

As a deal guy who has spent years buying businesses and advising on deals, I’ve seen the many ways buyers can get played in their SMB deals. If you don’t stay on your toes, you could get pulled into a deal that isn’t what it seems. Keep your eye on these five situations to make sure you don’t get played in your deal.

When considering purchasing a business, it's important to ensure that you're getting your money's worth. That's where the Quality of Earnings (QoE) report comes in. This comprehensive report is a vital tool to have before making a purchase that could potentially cost you millions.