Primary Sponsor:

Reconciled provides industry-leading virtual bookkeeping and accounting services for busy business owners and entrepreneurs across the US. Their team is experienced in M&A, and they hire the best talent available. Reconciled sets the standard for consistency and quality that you can count on.

Visit https://www.reconciled.com/

Want to Network and hang out with other Acquisition Entrepreneurs and professionals - Join Here 

Don’t Be Stuck -

If you are seeking professional help to move your M&A game forward, reach out. Don’t be stuck after interviewing over 170+ pros, Click here → We Know A Guy!

This week on How2Exit:

E164: The Future of Consumer Products and E-commerce: Insights from Jason Somerville - Watch Here

__________________________________________

About The Guest(s):
Jason Somerville is the founding partner at GW Partners, an investment banking firm that specializes in helping consumer products businesses grow and sell.

Summary:
Jason Somerville, founding partner at GW Partners, shares his insights on mergers and acquisitions in the consumer products and e-commerce space. Jason also highlights the lessons learned from the rise and fall of Amazon aggregators and emphasizes the need for business owners to have a realistic understanding of their market position.

Key Takeaways:

• The success of an M&A deal depends on the ability to convey a clear vision to potential acquirers.

• Uncertainty in the market can hinder M&A activity, but as clarity emerges, deal activity is expected to pick up.

Quote:

• "Deals get done between people, not between AI or robots." - Jason Somerville

• "Buyers often need help in seeing the vision and understanding the potential of a business." - Jason Somerville

Full Article:

Jason Somerville: Navigating the M&A Landscape in the Consumer Products and E-commerce Space

Secondary Sponsor:

Your business Here - email [email protected]

—Other Sponsors—

If you are looking to exit above $5M up to $25M - This is the right solution: Together with ITX M&A Marketplace - click here to sell your MSP Company (Sponsor)

The Hub Main Street M&A - News Newsletter

Attention Business Brokers, Advisors, Acquisition Entrepreneurs, and SMB Owners!

Do you want to stay ahead of the game in the SMB M&A market? The Hub is the solution you need! This curated newsletter brings you the best highlights from blogs, podcasts, YouTube, and news sources, all in one place. The HUB 

Founding Member Shout-Out (Still room here -$400 one time)

Shout out to our new founding member. With over 30 years in M&A, this company offers the lowest priced (way undervalued) course on helping you buy good businesses. Very underpriced - get it now before they finish upgrading the site and very likely up the pricing.

Thanks to Sweetview Partners, an Acquisitions company looking to buy Texas-based B2B companies in the $1MM - $30MM revenue range. Click on the logo to check them out.

E165: Bryan Dunn on the Challenges of Buying and Running an E-commerce Business - Watch Here

About The Guest(s): Bryan Dunn is the owner of Pursuit Goal Journal, an e-commerce business that helps individuals achieve their goals.

Summary: Bryan Dunn shares his journey as an acquisition entrepreneur and the lessons he has learned along the way. He discusses his experience buying an e-commerce business and the challenges he faced in navigating the Amazon marketplace. Bryan also emphasizes the importance of understanding the value proposition of a business and building relationships with customers.

Key Takeaways:

• Bryan emphasizes the importance of understanding the value proposition of a business and effectively communicating it to customers.

• Buying an e-commerce business requires a deep understanding of the Amazon marketplace and the ability to adapt to changes in the algorithm and competition.

Quote:

• "Business is about solving problems. So pick the kinds of problems you want to solve and go do that business." - Bryan Dunn

Article: 

Bryan Dunn: Lessons Learned from Buying a Side Hustle Business

Classifieds

ISO - Seeking profitable B2B newsletters, blogs, social media groups, etc, must have over 2000 subscribers, be more than 18mo old, and be profitable. Submit here or Contact Ron [email protected]

ISO-seeking business owners looking to grow and accelerate Valuation to retire wealthy within 2-5 years. May play a key spot in rollup if you qualify. Must have a profitable business, $2M-$10M, >=10 years in business. Contact: [email protected]

Your Ad Here - $50 / week 240 characters - send requests to [email protected]

Seeking contributors, if you are an advisor or willing to do deep research on a topic for some recognition, please email [email protected] with the subject: “I’d like to contribute to DEEPER”

FROM THE Editor:

Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided for informational & educational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. We are not attorneys, tax, or financial advisors and not qualified to give any such advice.  

** indicates an affiliate commission will be paid if you buy something.

From Now Until Jan 1 2024 - Everyone gets the Deep Dive articles.

DEEPER: 101 Places To Find Leads For Off-Market Deals

• Networking events: Look for business owners interested in retirement or changing careers. Make it known that you are an investor looking to acquire a business.

• Local Chamber of Commerce meetings: Meet local business leaders considering selling their businesses. Look for the membership team and ask them if they know anybody who is looking to sell or retire.

• Small business meetups: Connect with entrepreneurs who might be considering an exit strategy. Ask them to contact their CPAs and Insurance agents and see if they know anybody needing to sell.

• Industry-specific trade shows: Identify business owners showcasing products but possibly facing operational challenges. Ask the organizers if they know anybody who used to attend and have since stopped.

• Business broker relationships: Build connections with brokers who can provide leads on businesses for sale. Not all brokers are bad, not all are good, but all should know of business owners looking to sell.

• Accountants and financial advisors: Seek professionals advising clients on business sales or exits. Ask them to keep you in mind when clients talk about selling or retiring.

• Lawyers specializing in business transactions: Find attorneys who might have clients interested in selling their businesses.

• Commercial real estate agents: Look for agents aware of businesses relocating or closing. They often get opinions on the value of their real estate long before they sell.

• Local business associations: Engage with members who are discussing selling their businesses. Find the people who participate in the membership drives, ask them who’s no longer a member, who’s retiring etc.

• Online business forums: Participate in discussions where business owners talk about selling or business challenges.

• LinkedIn groups: Network with business owners in relevant industry groups.

• Social media outreach: Directly message business owners who show signs of selling.

• Entrepreneur workshops: Engage with business owners considering new ventures or exits. Teach classes on preparing for retirement / Exit.

• Business seminars and conferences: Connect with attendees who are at a crossroads with their current businesses.

• Community bulletin boards: Look for postings about business sales or closures.

• Local newspapers: Scan for businesses featured in articles about market changes or retirement. Run your own ads. Investor Seeks Great Business to Continue it’s Legacy.

• Industry newsletters: Subscribe to gather information on market trends and potential sales. See if they allow ads, same ad as above.

• Referrals from business contacts: Ask your network for introductions to potential sellers.

• Business coaching firms: Connect with coaches advising clients on exit strategies.

• Alumni networks: Network with fellow alumni who own businesses they might want to sell.

• Community development centers: Explore opportunities in local businesses looking for growth or exit strategies.

• Local economic development offices: Inquire about businesses undergoing changes or seeking exits.

• Business incubators: Look for mature businesses ready to exit the incubation phase.

• Local business awards: Network with award-winning businesses that might be at a peak for selling.

• Facebook groups: Join groups where business owners gather and discuss industry challenges.

• Business podcasts and webinars: Reach out to guests or hosts who talk about business transitions. Be a guest, talk about what you are looking for, past successes and plans for what you want to build.

• Direct mail campaigns: Target business areas with high turnover or retirement rates. Get free list in the U.S. from County Library access to Data Axle

• Franchise owner outreach: Contact owners who may be ready to sell and move on.

• Online marketplaces: Look for listings that are undervalued or poorly marketed.

• Crowdfunding platforms: Identify businesses that fail to meet their funding goals and might consider selling.

• Business valuation firms: Connect with firms that may know businesses considering their market value for sale. Ask them about businesses where the owner was disappointed in the valuation. Work for Equity, to improve these or buy partials.

• Family and friends in business: Ask for referrals or leads on businesses in their networks. Who do they know who might sell or is ready for retirement?

• Professional networking groups: Join groups where business owners frequently discuss market trends and potential exits.

• Specialty business sale websites: Research for hidden gems or businesses not actively marketed.

• Community events participation: Engage with local business owners in informal settings. When people ask what you do, make sure they know you acquire businesses and are looking for great ones.

• Collaboration with entrepreneurs: Partner with other entrepreneurs who might have leads on available businesses.

• Investor pitch events attendance: Look for businesses that fail to secure investment and might consider selling.

• Non-profit events: Network with business owners involved in philanthropy who might be looking to sell and focus on charitable work.

• Small business development centers: Inquire about businesses that are consulting for growth or sale strategies.

• Retiring business owner outreach: Directly approach owners who are nearing retirement age.

• Local Rotary or Lions clubs: Join clubs where business owners network and might discuss selling.

• Online business discussion boards: Engage in conversations where business sale topics arise.

• Manufacturer or supplier contacts: Inquire about clients who are facing operational challenges or considering selling.

• Business auctions: Attend auctions to find businesses in financial distress.

• Business mentorship programs: Engage with mentors who advise businesses potentially gearing towards a sale.

• Real estate investment clubs: Network with investors who might have leads on businesses for sale due to property deals.

• Commercial lender contacts: Inquire about businesses with financial issues that might lead to a sale.

• Local government business events: Attend events where businesses looking for support or exit strategies might be present.

• Business succession planning workshops: Look for owners without a clear succession plan.

• E-commerce platform engagement: Connect with sellers who might be looking to exit the online business space.

• Cold calling businesses: Directly approach businesses to gauge interest in selling.

• Online classified ads: Search for businesses listed under categories like "business opportunities" or "for sale by owner." or run ads yourself

• Expired business sale listings: Check for listings that didn't sell and might still be on the market. Keep an eye on the listings and notice when businesses are there for more than 6 months.

• Business bankruptcy filings: Search for businesses in financial distress that might be open to acquisition. Turn around experts only.

• Angel investor networks: Network with investors who might know businesses struggling to scale and considering a sale.

• CPA and tax professional referrals: Ask for referrals from professionals who might know of businesses facing tax burdens leading to a sale.

• Data scraping tools for leads: Use online tools to identify businesses showing signs of selling (e.g., changes in website activity). Use fiverr, or hire a VA to help.

• City council meetings: Attend meetings to learn about local businesses facing regulatory changes or challenges.

• Local “For Sale” signs: Keep an eye out for physical signs in business areas indicating a sale.

• Insurance agent networking: Connect with agents who might know business owners considering selling due to insurance changes.

• Community service participation: Volunteer in community events where business owners often discuss their future plans.

• Expired business leases: Contact owners of businesses with recently expired leases who might consider selling.

• Expired business sale website listings: Monitor listings that didn't sell for potential acquisition opportunities.

• Business auctions: Attend local business auctions for companies in distress.

• Business mentorship programs: Engage with mentors who might have insights on businesses considering a sale. E.O. or YPO

• Local retail or trade organizations: Join organizations to meet business owners who might be considering an exit. Ask the membership teams who didn’t join back up this year because they are looking to retire.

• Tax lien listings: Search for businesses with outstanding tax issues as potential acquisition targets.

• Contacting distressed businesses: Reach out directly to businesses showing signs of distress or operational challenges.

• Utility company engagements: Inquire about businesses with unusual utility usage patterns indicating potential distress.

• Creating a business buyer blog: Establish a blog to attract sellers through informative content on business acquisitions.

• Building an online presence as a buyer: Use social media and websites to publicize your interest in acquiring businesses.

• SEO for lead generation: Optimize your online content to attract business owners looking to sell.

• Municipal planning departments: Inquire about businesses involved in recent zoning or planning changes.

• Companies with legal issues: Look for businesses embroiled in legal disputes that might lead to a sale.

• Patent and trademark listings: Explore intellectual property sales for businesses considering divestment.

• Business credit agencies: Check for businesses with credit issues that might be considering a sale.

• Local directory business owners: Contact owners listed in directories who might be open to selling.

• Business “For Sale” expos: Attend expos to meet with owners actively looking to sell. Or any Business tradeshow and ask around.

• Outdated website businesses: Target businesses with outdated online presences that might need a strategic shift.

• Industry publication advertising: Advertise your interest in buying businesses in industry-specific publications.

• Businesses with poor online reviews: Target businesses struggling with online reputation, indicating potential for a turnaround.

• Local bank engagements: Connect with local banks for leads on businesses with financial strains.

• Business closing sales: Attend closing sales for opportunities to acquire assets or the entire business. Buy customer list, phone numbers, and social media accounts.

• Businesses with low social media activity: Identify businesses with minimal online engagement as potential acquisition targets.

• Targeted Google Ads campaigns: Run ads targeting business owners searching for exit strategies or business sales.

• Merger and acquisition firms: Network with M&A firms for leads on businesses considering a sale.

• Industrial park visits: Visit local industrial parks to talk directly to business owners.

• Local sports or social club networking: Join clubs where business owners socialize and discuss their business plans.

• Local market stall owner conversations: Engage with market stall owners about their long-term business plans.

• Recent business permit filings: Contact businesses that have filed for new permits but may be facing challenges.

• Liquidation company engagement: Connect with liquidation companies for leads on businesses in distress.

• Recent ownership change businesses: Investigate businesses that have recently changed ownership for potential resale.

• Supply chain intermediary contacts: Network with suppliers or distributors for leads on businesses in their network.

• Local government-sponsored buiness events: Attend events to meet with business owners considering changes.

• Businesses facing regulatory changes: Look for businesses that may be struggling to adapt to new regulations.

• Real estate listings with business assets: Browse real estate listings that include business assets for potential opportunities.

• Local business development programs: Participate in programs to meet owners looking for growth or exit strategies. Create content and play a role.

• Direct engagement with business owners: Use personal contacts and cold outreach to directly engage with business owners. Be sure to ask them if they know of anybody looking to sell or retire from a good business.

• Visiting underutilized business locations: Look for businesses in prime locations but underutilized, indicating potential distress.

• SCORE: U.S. Based volunteer advisors. Contact the local advisors and ask who they know who may want to sell or retire soon.

I hope this kickstarts your lead generation.