Buying a business is one of the most direct paths to ownership, independence, and long-term wealth. I help first-time buyers, veterans, executives, and investors find, evaluate, finance, and close the right acquisition across Los Angeles and Ventura County.
Most people spend years dreaming about owning a business and very little time learning how to actually buy one. The process can feel opaque, and the stakes are high. My role is to make buying a business clear, structured, and protected, so you can move forward with the same confidence a seasoned acquirer would.
As a business broker focused on the buy side, I represent your interests from the first conversation to the closing table. That means helping you define realistic acquisition criteria, sourcing opportunities that fit, analyzing financials, building a defensible valuation, structuring an offer, coordinating SBA and seller financing, and managing due diligence all the way through ownership transition. Whether you are a first-time business buyer or an experienced acquisition entrepreneur, the goal is the same: help you buy the right business at the right price on the right terms.
I work with buyers acquiring small and lower-middle-market businesses throughout Southern California, with deep local knowledge of the Los Angeles and Ventura County markets. If you have been searching for how to buy a business and want an advisor in your corner, you are in the right place.
Starting a business from zero means building everything yourself and hoping the market responds. Buying an existing, profitable business means stepping into something that already works. For most buyers, acquisition is the smarter route to ownership.
An established business generates revenue and profit from day one, rather than years of waiting for a startup to become viable.
You inherit a base of paying customers and a reputation in the market, instead of starting with no audience.
A capable team already knows how to run daily operations, which eases the transition and protects continuity.
Processes, suppliers, software, and vendor relationships are already in place and documented.
A track record of historical financials lets you evaluate real performance instead of betting on projections.
Lenders prefer to finance acquisitions of profitable businesses, which makes SBA and conventional loans more accessible.
Buyers come from many backgrounds. What they share is a desire for ownership and a need for a trusted advisor who can guide the acquisition. Here are the buyers I serve most often.
Executives and managers ready to leave the corporate world and build equity in something of their own. You bring leadership and financial capacity; I help you find a business that fits.
Veterans bring discipline, leadership, and the ability to execute. As a Marine Corps veteran, I take pride in helping fellow veterans transition into business ownership.
Founders and acquisition entrepreneurs who would rather buy an established business than start from scratch and want a disciplined search.
Individual investors and groups seeking cash-flowing businesses as an asset class, including those running a search fund model.
Family offices and private investors looking to acquire and hold quality businesses in the lower-middle market.
Owners pursuing growth through acquisition, whether a competitor, a supplier, or a complementary business.
A successful acquisition follows a disciplined process. Here is the path I guide buyers through, from first conversation to ownership.
We discuss your goals, background, capital, and timeline, and whether buying a business is the right move for you.
We define the industries, size, location, and financial profile that fit your skills, capital, and lifestyle goals.
I source businesses that match your criteria, including listed businesses and off-market owners open to a sale.
We analyze the financial statements, tax returns, and earnings to understand how the business really performs.
We establish a defensible value range based on earnings multiples, comparable sales, and the quality of the business.
We submit a letter of intent that frames price and key terms and opens the path to exclusive due diligence.
You verify the business in detail, from financials and contracts to customers, employees, and legal matters.
I help coordinate SBA 7(a) lenders, seller financing, and your capital into a workable deal structure.
We finalize the purchase agreement, complete legal and escrow steps, and close the transaction.
We plan the handoff so you take over smoothly, with the seller's cooperation and the team's continuity protected.
Most failed acquisitions trace back to a handful of avoidable errors. Knowing them in advance is half the battle.
For many buyers, an SBA acquisition loan is the key that makes ownership possible. Understanding how it works helps you plan and move quickly when the right business appears.
The SBA 7(a) loan program is the most common path to financing the purchase of an existing, profitable business. The loan is made by a bank or lender and partially guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration, which reduces the lender's risk and makes approval more attainable for qualified buyers.
Buyers using SBA 7(a) financing often contribute a down payment in the range of 10 to 15 percent of the purchase price, sometimes supported by seller financing. This lower equity requirement is one of the biggest advantages of SBA loans for acquisition entrepreneurs and first-time buyers.
SBA loans typically offer longer repayment terms than conventional loans, which keeps monthly payments manageable and protects cash flow during the transition. They also allow buyers to acquire businesses substantially larger than they could purchase with cash alone, which accelerates the path to meaningful ownership.
Lenders evaluate your credit, your relevant experience, the cash flow and stability of the target business, and the overall deal structure. Strong personal financials and a credible plan for running the business improve your odds. Getting pre-qualified early lets you act decisively when you find the right opportunity. I help buyers prepare for these conversations and connect with experienced SBA lenders.
For independent, trustworthy guidance as you research an acquisition, these organizations are worth bookmarking: the U.S. Small Business Administration for official loan program details, the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) and the California Association of Business Brokers (CABB) for professional standards, and SCORE for free buyer education and mentoring. As a member of CABB and IBBA, I hold to the professional and ethical standards those organizations set.
Sellers usually have a broker. As a buyer, you deserve one too. I represent your interests at every stage of the acquisition.
I work for you, not the seller. Your goals, your risk, and your net outcome guide every recommendation.
From criteria to closing, I bring structure and judgment built on real deal experience and a finance background.
Price is only part of the deal. I negotiate terms, financing, and transition to protect your interests.
Lenders, attorneys, accountants, and escrow all have to move together. I keep the deal organized and on track.
Deep familiarity with the Los Angeles and Ventura County markets, the buyers, and the conditions on the ground.
Discreet, honest, and accountable. The discipline of a Marine Corps veteran brought to your acquisition.
Let's talk about your goals, your capital, and the kind of business that fits you. The first consultation is confidential and there is no obligation.