ENTREPRENEURSHIP THROUGH ACQUISITION
A Reliable Alternative To Chasing Unicorns
6 Reasons to Buy a Business Instead of Starting a New One
One of the major advantages of buying a business is that financials already exists. An existing business can easily develop an accurate financial estimate or gauge future earnings.
Startup, startup, startup. These days anybody and everybody who thinks of entrepreneurship think of starting something from scratch…. Make the pitch deck, get the funding, get the ego-stroking valuation you can tell all of your friends and family about inside and outside of startup land…
A recent study, showed nearly 20% of small businesses fail in their first year, 30% fail in their second year and about 50% of small businesses fail after five years in business. Statistics like this make starting a new business a scary proposition.
On the other hand, you have an improved chance of succeeding when you buy an existing business. Here are some reasons to consider buying an existing business instead of starting a new one.
Financials Already Exist
One of the major advantages of buying a business is that financials already exists. An existing business can easily develop an accurate financial estimate or gauge future earnings. However, new businesses have to rely on pro forma budgets where they forecast revenues, cash flow, taxes, and expenses in advance.
Cash Flow is Predictable
Furthermore, existing businesses have immediate and anticipated cash flow. When you buy an existing business, you have estimated revenue for the payroll, operations, taxes, and debt service to rely upon. However, if you start your business from scratch, you have to wait for several months before you have the adequate cash flow to cover these costs.
Established Suppliers and Credit Lines
In addition, existing businesses have established suppliers and credit lines. You can easily get a loan or line of credit. However, if you start your business from scratch, it will take quite some time before you establish a relationship with any supplier. Also, you will find it hard to secure loans or supplier credit.
Established Customer Base
As a new business, you need to find customers for your new startup. You have to run a series of promos, discounts, referrals, and offers. Besides, it also takes time to build a loyal customer base. On the other hand, existing businesses have an established customer base. Once you buy the business, you only need to focus on the existing customer base, deliver quality services, and improve customer experience.
Licenses and Permits
Before you can operate as a business, you need to be granted licenses and permits by the body overseeing your sector. This may take quite some time, weeks or even months. In fact, you may even be denied a license to sell your products if you fail to meet certain criteria. However, existing businesses already have all the required licenses and permits. Once you purchase the business, all licenses and permits will be transferred to you.
Ease of Finance
Finally, an existing business already has a history, mode of operation, as well as a proven track record. If you need business financing, you can base your lending decision on actual results and not just estimates and calculated guesses. Thus, making it easier to secure business financing from banks and lenders.
To Recap it all for you
6 reasons to buy an existing business instead of starting one. There are several risks involved in becoming your own boss. When you buy an already existing business, you are taking a calculated risk which eliminates several pitfalls and failure potentials that come with starting your business from scratch.
Planning to buy a business?
Buying a business is a huge decision. You need to ensure that you get it right. Contact us today to know more about BizNexus. Our expert team will be available to speak with you and discuss the options available to you. A fantastic experience awaits you.
BizNexus -Learn More From Our YouTube Playlist:
BUSINESS ACQUISITION
Have you checked out our podcast?
THE BIZNEXUS ROUNDUP
Quick & dirty interviews, war stories & tips from the trenches of business acquisition, growth & sale. We aim for value, efficiency & fun, so you'll walk away with something useful to take with you along the journey of buying, growing & selling a business.
Why 2019 might be the best time in history to buy a new business
So if you’re considering a jump into entrepreneurship, -buying an existing small business is absolutely an option you should consider. In his article for business.com, Looking Ahead: Buying a Business in 2017, Bruce Hakutizwi states:
As we mentioned elsewhere, 2019 looks like it might shake out to be the best year in a decade to buy a business in the United States. There are a few big reasons for this:
Loans are accessible and still historically dirt-cheap.
First-time entrepreneurs have access to up to $5 million in SBA loans from the government to help finance a new business acquisition.
With small business owners set to skyrocket over the next 10 years, there’s rapidly increasing interest out there for buying and established, viable business.
New technology solutions continue to offer increasingly efficient ways to connect buyers and sellers of businesses and to identify the right professional for you to do so.
So if you’re considering a jump into entrepreneurship, -buying an existing small business is absolutely an option you should consider. In his article for business.com, Looking Ahead: Buying a Business in 2017, Bruce Hakutizwi states:
Depending on your business strategy, industry, location, and other factors, there are more reliable and willing funding opportunities available to entrepreneurs right now than ever before. Between low-interest traditional business loans, government grants and loans, and a striking volume of venture capital available from individual angel investors, large corporations, and established VC funds, it’s easier and faster than ever before to fund a promising new startup or the expansion of an existing business.
As opposed to the relative risk of a brand new startup, obtaining funds to purchase an already established and successful business is even easier. This is doubly true if you’re purchasing another business that naturally extends or expands your own existing company or expertise since you can likely prove to the lender you’re up to the task of making the acquisition profitable. -Bruce Hakutizwi.
Buying a new business can be an exciting, rewarding, and potentially life-changing experience for you and your family. Do your research before you choose any professional to help you with the process, and make sure you’re clear on expectations and compensation from the outset. And as always, we recommend you check the BizNexus Marketplace to help vet financial services professionals, and for any helpful reviews, ratings, or relevant content to help guide your way.
A few useful links if you’d like to dig deeper on the topic:
How to Buy an Existing Website: A Step-by-Step Guide. -Will Lipovsky
How to Find a Business Broker. -Entrepreneur
BizNexus -Learn More From Our YouTube Playlist:
Business Acquisition
Have you checked out our podcast?
The BizNexus Roundup
Quick & dirty interviews, war stories & tips from the trenches of business acquisition, growth & sale. We aim for value, efficiency & fun, so you'll walk away with something useful to take with you along the journey of buying, growing & selling a business.