Business Builders
Learn the decisions behind buying an established business.
Business Builders helps experienced professionals prepare to buy and run an existing company. Lessons and practical exercises help you choose what to look for, understand a deal and build a plan for taking over.
Apply to Business BuildersStep 01 of 04
Choose a business that fits your life.
Business Builders starts with your experience, money and the role you want as an owner. The buying-criteria exercise helps you turn those needs into a clear description of the company you want.
You work on a personal Buy Box: your target industry, location, size and financial limits. Use it to decide which listings deserve your time and which to pass on.
Your starting point
Written criteria to guide your search.
Step 02 of 04
Know what to say when you contact a broker or banker.
The program’s call-script exercises help you explain your background and the business you want to buy. You also prepare questions about the opportunity, the search and the bank’s process.
Practice those conversations before making the call, so you know what information to bring and what you need to find out.
Your working tools
Draft broker and banker call scripts for your search.
Step 03 of 04
Learn what the price and terms mean for you.
Work through example deals to practice reviewing the numbers, planning the money needed and weighing the terms. The exercises show how those parts affect the purchase.
You also learn the role of a letter of intent (LOI) and purchase agreement, so you can follow the conversation and ask better questions of your lender, accountant and attorney.
Your deal practice
A draft capital plan and practice reviewing business value, financial records and purchase terms.
Step 04 of 04
Plan how you will run the company.
Business Builders helps you look beyond the purchase to the work waiting after closing. Build a business-plan draft, a three-year financial forecast and a plan for your first 100 days.
Work through who does what, how customers get served and where cash is needed. Use that operating plan to spot questions to resolve before you take over.
Your ownership plan
A business-plan draft, financial forecast and first-100-days priorities.
Apply to Business Builders.
Tell us about your experience, the business you want to own, and where you need help with the acquisition process.