profile

Welcome to Freedom Through Acquisition

Special Bonus Issue: Unscripted Deal Chat w/ Matthias (SBA broker) and Chris (QoE Pro)

Published 3 months ago • 1 min read

Hey Reader

Happy Saturday!

Here's what I've been cooking up for you.

Yesterday I got together with a couple of good friends and colleagues in the SMB acquisition space (Matthias Smith from Pioneer Capital - one of the best SBA brokers in the space; and Chris Barrett of Midwest CPA - a top QoE provider) for an unscripted chat.

We shared recent deal experiences, intel, and tips on topics including:

  • Net Working Capital
  • SBA underwriting
  • Diliigence traps
  • Getting under LOI
  • What has been killing deals
  • And much more!

And we recorded and transcribed the whole meeting.

Here's the video (titled "Shooting the Breeze") for your enjoyment.

video preview​

Direct link to video if you need it: https://resources.freedomthroughacquisition.com/shooting-the-breeze​

And for the TL;DR types out there, here's a link to a transcript:

Transcript: https://resources.freedomthroughacquisition.com/shooting-the-breeze-transcript

Hope you enjoy!

Have a great last couple of weeks of summer and best of luck on your deals.

Eric

PS, if you like this kind of material, please let me know so we can plan more. Plus, if there are specific topics you'd like us to cover, also let me know. You can ping me at eric@freedomthroughacquisition.com or DM me on X at @lawyer4smbs.

​

Don't forget about these valuable subscriber resources:

​

  • Archives Whether you're a newer subscriber or just want to search for a past issue that you've already read, you can access the newsletter archives anytime (even at 3am when you can't sleep). Just use this link.
  • Business Acquisition Tools A special library of on-demand business acquisition tools, reference guides, and cheat sheets to help you with your search. Here's the link: https://businessacquisitiontools.com. Since it's a subscriber-only resource, you'll need login credentials. User: guest | PW: buybeatsbuild.
​

​

DISCLAIMER:

I am a lawyer but not your lawyer (unless we so happen to be working a deal together pursuant to a written engagement agreement). This newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and nothing in this or any other issues is intended as legal or financial advice and cannot be relied on as such. Do your own diligence and consult with your own lawyer or financial advisor before taking any action on your deals. Nothing in this newsletter is intended to solicit your business in any way and should not be interpreted in any way as legal advertising.

​

This newsletter is wholly owned and operated by FTA Resources, LLC.

Copyright 2024, FTA Resources, LLC. All rights reserved.

​

Welcome to Freedom Through Acquisition

The newsletter for freedom-seeking business buyers

Make sure not to miss any future issues: sign up here!

Read more from Welcome to Freedom Through Acquisition

Hi Reader Working Capital: Deal Nemesis and Lifeline Net Working Capital (NWC), Works in Progress, and Warranties are the "3 Ws" that often derail deals. Mastering these will set you apart, enabling smoother, fairer negotiations and closing deals effectively. This three-part series starts with NWC—an acronym that strikes fear in even the most experienced buyers. Often misunderstood by both Buyer and Seller, NWC negotiations have killed more deals that anything else I've seen. Worst yet,...

5 days ago • 3 min read

Hi Reader When private equity professionals move into SMB acquisitions, they often find it frustratingly “unprofessionalized.” I couldn’t agree more. Beyond brokers, you’ll encounter a range of advisors—from real estate agents to side-hustling lawyers to certified M&A intermediaries—each with their quirks. And seller teams can bring unusual demands. Here’s how to handle some of the more surprising ones: 1. PA Up Front Demand: “Only serious buyers submit a Purchase Agreement (PA) upfront, not...

26 days ago • 3 min read

Hi Reader As you stand on the brink of acquiring a new business, the checklist of due diligence items can seem endless. Yet, there's one area that could make or break your investment: cybersecurity. In an era where digital threats loom large, understanding the cybersecurity landscape of your target company is not just advisable; it's essential. I'm definitely no cybersecurity expert, so today I'm excited to share some wisdom from my friend and colleague Josh Moulin, founder of Natsar, a...

about 2 months ago • 6 min read