Because not every business for sale is worth your time (or your money).

There are a lot of businesses on the market.
Most look decent at first glance.
But only a few are worth putting real capital, energy, and focus behind.

Whether you’re an experienced buyer or a first-time acquirer, this guide is about sharpening your lens — so you don’t waste time chasing average deals, or worse, getting stuck in a bad one.

Start With This Question: “Can This Thing Grow?

Not “is it profitable?”
Not “how big is the top line?”
The real question is: does this business have room to scale?

The best deals have:

• Untapped marketing channels
• Owner bottlenecks that can be unlocked
• Poor systems that can be cleaned up
• Product or service demand that hasn’t been fully captured

If the business has flatlined and there’s no obvious play, it’s a cashflow machine — not a growth asset.

That’s fine if you’re buying it for yield.
But if you’re trying to build something, it needs headroom.

Business Equipment and Supplies

Purchasing office supplies, computers, printers, and other necessary equipment for business operations can be deducted as a business expense. Keeping receipts and records of these purchases ensures accurate reporting during tax season.

Look Past the P&L — Into the Mechanics

Great businesses don’t just make money — they run clean.

What to look for:

• Margins that are stable and defendable
• Customer concentration under 25%
• A team that doesn’t just orbit around the founder
• Clear, documented processes (or at least the ability to build them)
• Recurring or contract-based revenue (gold standard)

Bonus points if:

• The owner’s already working <40 hours a week
• SOPs and handoffs are documented
• There’s low churn and long customer lifetime value

Red Flags to Walk Away From (Fast)

Here’s what we flag immediately:

• Books are a disaster
  If the seller can’t explain their numbers, don’t become their financial clean-up crew.
• “Everything goes through me” founder syndrome
  If the founder does sales, ops, customer support, and accounting, you’re buying them, not a business.
• Last-minute growth spike before listing
  Did revenue magically jump 30% right before they decided to sell? 🚩
• No documented processes
  If nothing is written down, expect a painful onboarding.
• Revenue is lumpy or inconsistent
  A $2M year isn’t impressive if $1.6M came from one client who’s not renewing.

What to Look For Beyond the Numbers

You’re not just buying financials — you’re buying a machine. A rhythm. A story.

Ask yourself:

• Does this business have a clear brand and customer base?
• Could I grow this with capital or better execution?
• Do I like the space, or am I just chasing returns?
• What would this look like 3 years from now under my leadership?

The best deals aren’t perfect. But they’re buildable. And they make sense to you.

And Yes, Gut Instinct Matters Too

If you’re getting weird vibes from the seller, if they dodge questions, or if the numbers feel forced — listen to your gut. You’re not being paranoid.

The best deals feel clean. They click.

Bottom Line

A good business isn’t just profitable — it’s transferable, scalable, and positioned for growth. The more of that you see, the more seriously you should take it.

At Exits + Acquisitions, we help buyers cut through the noise and zero in on businesses worth pursuing — whether you're acquiring your first company or adding to your portfolio.

Looking at a deal? We’ll help you vet it before you waste time.