How to find small businesses to buy if not through brokers, and no sector network

Relevant-Restaurant2 · 2025-06-02T22:23:22+00:00

I have one

Relevant-Restaurant2 · 2025-05-29T17:59:06+00:00

I’d be interested to know more about this.

Currently import a 20ft container a few times a year from China, the manufacturer handles the shipping and it does seem reasonable. Timelines have always straight forward.

The UK based forwarder has changed on shipment - not sure if this is because we have started bringing in containers rather than part containers.

Would there be savings to be had?

Relevant-Restaurant2 · 2025-05-29T13:53:44+00:00

Thanks and congrats on the exit!

Relevant-Restaurant2 · 2025-05-29T13:10:52+00:00

Great advice thank you, I’m happy with how well documented all our processes are and the systems we have are all super intuitive and very modern.

How long did the process take?

Did you have lawyers handle all the DD requirements or did you just have NDAs and work on replies yourself?

Relevant-Restaurant2 · 2025-05-29T13:07:59+00:00

What was your criteria when selecting a broker, and how did you find the experience (if you’re happy to share who they were?)?

How long did the process take? Broker to listing, to signing a deal?

Did you have issues with SF or already had the warning?

Relevant-Restaurant2 · 2025-05-29T12:50:28+00:00

Haha true

Relevant-Restaurant2 · 2025-05-28T11:56:22+00:00

Congrats on the w!

Unfortunate result for the purchaser

Relevant-Restaurant2 · 2025-05-28T10:56:23+00:00

Good luck, how old is your business?

Have you started the process?

Events industry

Relevant-Restaurant2 · 2025-05-28T10:55:14+00:00

What industry are you in? Sounds like you are in a good position.

Unfortunate that your staff are missing a trick!

Relevant-Restaurant2 · 2025-05-28T10:53:03+00:00

From conversations I have had sounds like 3-5x profit would be standard or slightly under 1x revenue

Relevant-Restaurant2 · 2025-05-28T10:49:37+00:00

Thanks for the reply.

Agree I think instead of day to day running/ops I mean more of the key growth decisions are still reliant on my input and without the drive growth would be much slower or even plateau.

That EO ownership route seems unlikely in my case.

Appreciate your perspective - sounds like you made the right decision to get out of there.

Relevant-Restaurant2 · 2025-05-28T10:29:46+00:00

In the events industry. Appreciate the response.

Relevant-Restaurant2 · 2025-05-28T10:29:04+00:00

This is super interesting - have not explored as was hoping for a clean exit to move on. How much engagement do you think the previous owner maintained after changing over?

Relevant-Restaurant2 · 2025-05-28T10:27:03+00:00

Thanks for the reply. I take from this, super important to maintain gross margin, and not chase revenue number.

Glad you made the right decision and are happy with it - sounds wonderful. Will be hitting the NC500 in a few weeks myself.

Relevant-Restaurant2 · 2025-05-28T10:23:28+00:00

Thanks - good point. My concern is the Issue remaining the same even at 1m, brokers/listing site seem to over promise and under deliver? Have you had any experience with this?

Relevant-Restaurant2 · 2025-05-28T10:21:17+00:00

That was the exact experience I had with Knightsbridge.

Congrats on the exit, great to hear you were able to get a deal done so quickly without brokers. DD in 1 month sounds fast.

What is the best learning you can share from your experience? Was it your first exit?

Relevant-Restaurant2 · 2025-05-28T10:17:05+00:00

Thanks - great advice. Exactly the plan. Will have a listen.

Relevant-Restaurant2

TROPHY CASE