There are many ways to become an entrepreneur. You can launch your own business from the ground up, you can partner with someone else, or you can even buy a small business outright.
Buying a small business can create a unique stream of income and help you to launch your new career—you just need to know where to find them and how to invest.
Buying a business, as opposed to starting something from scratch, can streamline your path to profitability. It can also be less risky, in some cases, if the brand is already successful and established.
If you’re considering purchasing a small business, this guide will help. Learn where to buy a small business, as well as the pros and cons of different business types.
There are many ways to find small businesses to buy in your area or industry. You may want to try multiple methods to discover businesses so you can find the best option for your investing goals.
You might also want to keep a lawyer on retainer to help negotiate the sale and handle various contracts related to the transition. This extra assurance can give you peace of mind and help you to protect your investment.
You don’t only have to look for small or local businesses to buy—it’s also possible to buy a franchise of an existing business and operate under that brand. Companies like McDonald’s, ACE Hardware, and Massage Envy rely on franchisees to buy into their businesses and operate companies on their own.
Buying a franchise has its pros and cons, as explained by the Small Business Administration. One of the main benefits: support. There will be less decision-making because the brand and its processes are established and set. For example, if you decide to open an ACE Hardware, you’ll already know the brand’s color choices and the employees’ uniforms. You’ll also gain access to the company’s internal systems and marketing materials.
While some people embrace the structure of opening a franchise, there are also limitations to what you can do. You can’t get creative with new products and must stick to established guidelines. This might not be ideal if you want to build a unique business or want more influence on the systems within the organization.
You can find franchises for sale across almost any industry or company size. Different franchises have different license fees and varying startup costs. For example, it costs more to build an Anytime Fitness than a PJ’s Coffee stand. Some franchises require $250,000 or more to get started, but you can become a Lendio franchisee for $55k-$65k. To explore different franchise opportunities and costs, look at sites like Franchise Direct or Franchise Gator to learn more. These sites can help you to find the best franchises to own based on your budget and goals.
You may be tempted to buy your favorite bar that can’t afford to stay open or invest in a bakery based on your passion for cake design—however, it’s important to be realistic about what you know and what you can handle. There are a few key factors to consider with your business choices:
You don’t have to have an MBA or 10+ years of experience in a field to buy a business. However, you will need a plan to manage your finances, operations, and marketing as soon as the business becomes yours.
If you are ready to move forward with your plans to buy a business, our team at Lendio can help. We specialize in pairing entrepreneurs and business owners with funding opportunities so they can move forward with their business goals.
Explore the various loan types available to see which ones are right for you. You may qualify for an SBA loan to help you open your business or a short term loan if you need funding to build a franchise. With the right funding, you can acquire your dream business and open your doors as soon as possible.
Derek Miller is the CMO of Smack Apparel, the content guru at Great.com, the co-founder of Lofty Llama, and a marketing consultant for small businesses. He specializes in entrepreneurship, small business, and digital marketing, and his work has been featured in sites like Entrepreneur, GoDaddy, Score.org, and StartupCamp.