Find and vet a business worth buying

The best deals are the ones where you know exactly what you're buying — and the worst are the ones where you find out after you sign. Finding a business is the easy part; vetting it is where you protect yourself. Due diligence means checking the books, the customers, and above all the real reason it's for sale before a single dollar changes hands.

Do this

1. Look in the right places: business brokers, marketplaces (like BizBuySell), industry contacts, and direct outreach to owners.
2. Ask the big question early — why are they really selling? A dying industry or lost key customer changes everything.
3. Do due diligence: verify the financials (tax returns, not just their spreadsheet), customer concentration, contracts, and debts.
4. Get pros on your side: an accountant to check the books and a lawyer to check the contracts — before you commit.

Due-diligence checklist

• Why is it REALLY for sale? (retirement vs. failing — dig until you're sure)
• 3 years of tax returns match what the seller claims (not just their books)
• Customer concentration — is revenue one big client away from collapse?
• Leases, contracts, licenses — do they transfer to you?
• Outstanding debts, liens, or lawsuits you'd inherit
• Why customers/employees would stay after the owner leaves
• An accountant reviewed the books and a lawyer reviewed the contracts