My First Million

The best business ideas come from noticing what's working and doing it better, faster, or for a different audience.

Acquire first cash-flowing business with minimal capital

Aspiring business owners with limited capital but strong work ethic

12-24 months from search to closing

What Success Looks Like

Own a profitable business generating $200K-500K annual free cash flow that doesn't require your daily presence within 2 years

Steps to Execute

Define constraints: geography, capital available, industries you understand

Develop broker relationships and deal pipeline

Focus on businesses doing 3-7x EBITDA multiples

Structure deals using SBA loans or seller financing

Plan for working capital needs at closing

Spend first 6-12 months optimizing operations

Build systems to reduce your daily involvement

Checklist

SBA lender relationship established

Personal guarantee comfort level determined

Due diligence process mapped out

Working capital line of credit secured

Management succession plan identified

Basic financial controls understood

Inputs Needed

$50K-200K available capital
Ability to personally guarantee debt
6-12 months of dedicated search time
Basic business and financial literacy
Relationship building and negotiation skills

Outputs

Profitable business ownership
$200K-500K annual free cash flow
Platform for additional acquisitions
Operational and deal-making experience

Example

“Search for manufacturing businesses in 50-mile radius, find company doing $2M revenue with $400K EBITDA, negotiate $1.2M purchase price, use SBA loan with $150K down, secure $200K working capital line, spend first year learning operations and building management team”