ETA Homepage - SearchFund.org - Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition

"Boring' Businesses Are Making Millionaires

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 12:55:00 -0700

Many so-called "boring" businesses, like waste management and HVAC, are actually the backbone of the economy, providing essential services with stable demand regardless of economic conditions. These industries benefit from recurring revenue, high barriers to entry, and strong local market dominance, making them attractive for long-term investment. Instead of chasing trends, business owners can learn from these industries by focusing on essential services, prioritizing operational excellence over marketing, and leveraging technology for efficiency. By building strong systems and investing in assets, entrepreneurs can create sustainable businesses with lasting value and predictable growth.

FULL ARTICLE ON ENTREPRENEUR.COM

Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition 2025 Conference - Feb 7th

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 14:19:40 -0800

This years ETA conference is excited to feature a standout panel: a live case discussion with the buyer and seller of Boston Tree Preservation
Donale Gourley(MBA '14) & Carlos Rodriguez Laconi(MBA '17)

Gain insights into the negotiation process, challenges, and key takeaways from this case.

🎙️ Moderated by Will Smith, host of the Acquiring Minds podcast, this event is a must for anyone interested in the world of Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition.

📅 Date: Friday, February 7th, 2025
📍 Location: 100 High Street, Boston, MA
🎟️ Space is limited - Secure your spot now!
BUY TICKETS HERE

Read the full article here via BNN

University of Chicago's Polsky Center Launches ETA Fellows Program to Meet Surge of Interest in ETA

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 05:29:13 -0800

In response to the growing interest in Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA), the Polsky Center is launching the ETA Fellows Program. Made possible by a generous donation from Booth alum A. Michael Muscolino, MBA ’99, cofounder and partner at Sixth Street, the new program kicks off in Fall 2024 and is designed to provide tailored educational opportunities and resources to Chicago Booth students who plan to enter the ETA space immediately or within a few years of earning their MBA.

“The knowledge, resources, and connections that I gained during my time at Booth were instrumental in my professional development and are still having an impact on my career to this day,” said Muscolino. “I am proud to be able to give back to the University and hope that the Fellows program will provide graduates exploring the ETA field everything they need to start their career off right.”

Read the full article here via The Polsky Center

Do I Buy A Business Or Start My Own?

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 10:13:32 -0800

For anyone wanting a business, this question might be weighing on your mind: Do I buy a business, or start one from scratch? Each path has its own set of challenges, potential gains, and risks. The decision is one that most entrepreneurs will face at some point in their careers.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of whether to buy a business or to start a business from scratch to help you make a decision that suits your needs...

Read the full article here via Forbes

10 Lessons I Learned From Failing My First Acquisition

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 10:11:31 -0800

Even though my first acquisition went to the grave, these ten lessons prepared me for my next venture.

Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) is quickly becoming a household term among aspiring entrepreneurs who do not desire to start a business but would rather purchase an existing business (not a franchise) from someone looking to transition out of their business. I was attracted to this option because you already have revenue, customers, employees and a system to grow the business post-acquisition.

In 2019, I purchased a business that managed and operated cemeteries. Pretty unique, right? This business brought in seven figures in revenue and served a market that would be here regardless of recessions or economic downturns. What I did not expect was COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic threw in numerous unforeseen obstacles that impacted our revenue growth, labor costs and overall growth strategy. We went from planning to double the business within 12 months to liquidating assets, removing myself from the payroll, taking on a second job and downsizing the business to survive.

Unfortunately, we struggled through the aftermath of the pandemic and eventually had to shut down operations in 2023. Despite my business failure, I learned ten key lessons applicable to entrepreneurs, franchise owners and small business owners.

Read the full article here via Entrepreneur

3 Reasons Why Entrepreneurs Should Consider Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 09:38:23 -0800

Interest in entrepreneurship is at an all-time high. Data shows Gen X-ers’ share of 46% of all small businesses is set to grow over the next decade, while 93% of all Gen Zers have taken steps toward business ownership, indicating that entrepreneurship is set to explode once again.

With traditional approaches to entrepreneurship now falling short, a change of paradigm is essential. This is where the relatively recent concept of Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) comes into play, especially among mid-career professionals as they stand to benefit the most from current demographic trends.

The idea of acquiring a business instead of building one from the ground up is nothing new by itself. What makes ETA different, however, is the strategy surrounding the acquisition. From finding the right opportunities and securing funding to optimizing growth post-purchase, this emerging trend has changed entrepreneurship in more than one way. Here are three reasons why every aspiring entrepreneur should consider it.

Read the full article here via Grit Daily

The New Wave in Business Ownership: Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 09:32:43 -0800

With a growing interest in Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA), entrepreneurship is witnessing a paradigm shift. Gen X and Gen Z are leading the way, leveraging demographic shifts, and capitalizing on the benefits of ETA, including overcoming upfront costs and bypassing initial profitability struggles. The 'silver tsunami' also offers unique acquisition opportunities.

As the world evolves, so does the landscape of entrepreneurship. A significant shift is underway, marked by a burgeoning interest in Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA). A distinct departure from traditional methods, ETA is driving a new wave of business ownership, capitalizing on current demographic shifts and offering a sustainable, impactful path for entrepreneurs.

Read the full article here via bnn

3 Paths Entrepreneurs Can Follow to Reach Profitability Faster

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 09:10:16 -0800

There is no one-size-fits-all strategy when it comes to implementing bootstrapping.

No matter if you dream of making the world a better place or just creating the next big thing, profitability should always be at the front of every entrepreneur's mind. Profitability is essential for the survival and growth of any business. Without profit, no vision can be realized in the long term.

Fortunately, reaching profitability doesn't necessarily have to be a process that takes a decade and billions of dollars to complete (looking at you, Uber). Though every company's path to profitability is unique, there are some strategies worth considering when starting a business. Here are three of them...

Read the full article here via Inc.

Many family firms lack heirs. Unrelated help is at hand

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 13:23:54 -0800

How to succeed when you have no successor

"Handing over a family business to the next generation can be a dramatic process. If the company is big and progeny bountiful, the intrigue is followed with zeal by both the financial press and the tabloids. When 29-year-old Frédéric Arnault, the second-youngest of five scions of the LVMH luxury empire, took over its watch unit at the start of the year, speculation swirled about the succession plan being put in place by his billionaire father, Bernard Arnault. Yet many more heads of family firms face the opposite predicament: they have no heir at all.

Legions of entrepreneurs born in rich countries during the two-decade baby boom starting in the 1940s are close to retirement age or past it. Some, like Giorgio Armani, the 89-year-old founder of the Italian fashion house, are childless. Others have offspring who want to chart their own career paths."

Read the full article here via The Economist