5 Books to Read Before Buying a Business

The Complete Guide to Buying a Business
By Fred Steingold J.D.

Written by a Michigan Attorney who has extensive experience representing small businesses in several capacities, this book is a comprehensive resource that provides a thorough overview of the buying process with concrete examples. If you are looking to acquire a huge corporation, this is probably not the book for you. However, if you are seeking to purchase a small business, this book serves as a great guide to subjects such as financing, negotiating, comparisons of entities, and standard forms. It will also inform you of when you likely need to enlist the help of a professional broker or lawyer.   

Buy Then Build: How Acquisition Entrepreneurs Outsmart the Startup Game
By Walker Deibel

Buying and growing an existing business is considered a smarter path to success than dealing with the pitfalls of start-up companies. This book outlines the ins and outs of becoming a successful acquisition entrepreneur, written by an investor who has co-founded three startups and acquired seven companies. It delves into beneficial topics such as spending less time raising capital, using ownership to achieve financial independence, discovering the best opportunities, and finding quality business brokers.

Buying a Business That Makes You Rich

By John Martinka

The author has of this book has more than 20 years of experience as a business buyer advocate, helping executives to abandon the corporate world to enjoy the freedoms of business ownership. In this book you will read about being smart when purchasing a business, including ways to avoiding overpaying and knowing the right questions to ask throughout the process. It offers smart methodologies and practical insights without overwhelming the reader with what can be a complex undertaking.

How to Buy a Business without Being Had: Successfully Negotiating the Purchase of a Small Business 
By Jack Gibson

Case studies, practical advice, and simple terminology are all part of what make this book a great read for anyone looking to purchase a business. The author offers more than 30 years of experience helping entrepreneurs learn how to talk to sellers and brokers, with a focus on avoiding missteps. The book also includes commentary from business owners who wished they had known how to avoid common mistakes, as well as a useful study and discussion guide.

HBR Guide to Buying a Small Business: Think Big, Buy Small, Own Your Own Company (HBR Guide Series)
By Richard S. Ruback and Royce Yudkoff

This book is written from the perspective of professors at Harvard Business School as a guide to entrepreneurship for small business owners. The text was previously only available to Harvard students through the authors’ courses. It is a concise yet thorough resource that will arm you with important topics you should discuss with sellers, brokers and attorneys along the way when buying a small business.  

Ready to Buy?

If you feel you are ready to buy a business, while these books can be helpful, Benchmark International can help ensure you are making the right move. Our strategists will use our insider knowledge and exclusive databases to connect you with the ideal match for an acquisition or growth plan.