Dealmakers Podcast

Ask A Business Acquisition Expert Anything: Practical Answers for Buyers

Get direct answers from Jonathan Jay on buying businesses, structuring deals, avoiding brokers, funding acquisitions, buying remotely, and knowing which deals to walk away from.

Listen to the Episode

Full Episode: Expert Answers on Buying a Business

Episode Duration: 25:29
Episode Number: 332
Tags: Business Acquisition, Deal Structuring, Buying a Business

Key Takeaways

Three practical lessons you will learn from this expert Q&A episode.

Modern Deal Structures Have Evolved

Learn why simple asset finance plus deferred consideration is no longer the only route, and why buyers need a more sophisticated approach to deal funding.

Avoid the Wrong First Deal

Discover why small owner reliant businesses, broker led opportunities, and franchises can create major problems for first time buyers.

Build Deal Flow and Take Action

Understand why successful acquisitions come from speaking to many owners, following a proven process, and moving on quickly when a deal does not fit.

Episode Breakdown

In this episode, Jonathan Jay answers live questions from aspiring business buyers about what really works when acquiring companies. The discussion begins with deal funding, deferred payments, and why older simplified models of buying businesses need to be adapted for a more mature acquisition market.

Jonathan also addresses the risks that often trap first time buyers. He explains why broker led deals are usually difficult for beginners, why very small businesses can become operational headaches, and why franchises often behave more like jobs than scalable businesses. He also covers remote deal sourcing, buying outside the UK, and why phone conversations are often the best first contact with business owners.

The episode closes with practical guidance on mindset, deal flow, professional fees, legal support, realistic EBITDA targets, and the importance of following the right process before making offers. Listeners will gain a clearer understanding of how to choose better acquisition targets, when to walk away, and how to avoid costly mistakes before completion.

Episode Summary
  • Why older simplified deal structures need updating for today's acquisition market
  • Why broker led deals, tiny businesses, and franchises are risky for first time buyers
  • Remote deal sourcing and buying businesses outside your home country
  • Why phone conversations are the best first contact with business owners
  • Mindset, deal flow, professional fees, and knowing when to walk away

Questions About Buying a Business

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  • Step-by-step acquisition roadmap
  • Financing templates and lender contacts
  • Due diligence checklists
  • Deal closing procedures

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