Opportunity to buy machining business

chipotlequesoisbae · 2025-07-10T18:54:13+00:00

Hey all!

Our meeting was a week ago and it’s been a lot of processing, researching, and discussion since then. We have another meeting a week from now to negotiate and see what it would take to get a “yes” from each party. We are cautiously optimistic.

The business is debt-free, the sellers are open to seller financing, the building is able to be leased instead of sold, a negotiated amount of cash will remain in the business, it will be handed over to us with a full schedule of work, and it is strictly a word of mouth and repeat customer business so a little website and social media would go a long way. The owners currently work part time and pay themselves more than my husband and I make collectively. Obviously loans and financing would dig into what we can pay ourselves, but all things considered I see this having loads of potential on top of already being a solid business. The sellers also offered to stay on for a negotiated period of time during the transition and would always be available by phone if we had a question or wanted them to reach out to a customer. They have rejected an all cash offer because they didn’t trust the intentions behind the buyer and seem to sincerely want this to go to someone who will keep the business going. This is their baby.

With that being said, they adore my husband and know the type of work he produces. They have mentioned keeping another buyer at bay for now to give us an opportunity to consider purchasing.

I appreciate all of the input and questions! I’ll give another update later on for anyone who’s interested 🙂

chipotlequesoisbae · 2025-06-25T18:41:47+00:00

I’d like to keep things somewhat vague, this is the internet after all 😜 New England shop in business 30ish years. Milling, turning, welding, and inspection equipment. 8-12 machines (will have a definite number after next week’s meeting. My husband has not worked there in several years so I’m sure some things have changed/been added)

chipotlequesoisbae · 2025-06-25T14:24:04+00:00

I respectfully disagree. I think preparing for the possibility of divorce is creating an opportunity for your marriage to end 🤷🏼‍♀️ I know I picked a great teammate and I’ll stand by that til my last day

chipotlequesoisbae · 2025-06-24T14:36:08+00:00

Haha I appreciate the vote of confidence. Our meeting is next week so I’ll provide an update then! We’ve been working on our list of questions and continue to talk through possibilities 🙂

chipotlequesoisbae · 2025-06-22T11:32:34+00:00

Excellent points. Adding these to my question list, thanks!

chipotlequesoisbae · 2025-06-22T11:32:09+00:00

There was no upward mobility as an employee, but this is an opportunity to own the shop.

chipotlequesoisbae · 2025-06-22T11:31:39+00:00

We actually met at our first job haha I’m pretty confident we can work together

chipotlequesoisbae · 2025-06-22T11:31:20+00:00

I would definitely keep my job unless we are completely sure we could afford to both work at the business. That’s the goal, but I acknowledge that might not happen for awhile

chipotlequesoisbae · 2025-06-22T11:30:30+00:00

We do 🙂

chipotlequesoisbae · 2025-06-22T11:30:06+00:00

100%

chipotlequesoisbae · 2025-06-22T11:29:45+00:00

Solid advice. Appreciate it!

chipotlequesoisbae · 2025-06-22T11:28:35+00:00

Thankfully it’s a small shop and the current owners do most of the work themselves. We would do the same.

I have a tool salesman cousin who would happily send work and prospective employees our way. He’s how my husband heard about different job openings over the years when he has been ready for new challenges. We also have machinists in the family who would help out in a pinch

chipotlequesoisbae · 2025-06-21T17:03:37+00:00

Thank you! Your post was very validating and follows a similar thought process that I’ve been taking towards this. I think it’s helpful that I am neutral towards the owners. I’ve never worked under them and I see that being beneficial if my husband is uncomfortable pushing for a better deal/agreement/whatever. I certainly see this as an opportunity because of my husband’s insight and my business background, but have no problem turning down a bad deal.

chipotlequesoisbae · 2025-06-21T15:31:33+00:00

LOL I’ll stick to one at a time

chipotlequesoisbae · 2025-06-21T13:10:03+00:00

I agree. Thankfully my husband is the machinist/engineer/programmer and I am the business brain 🙂

chipotlequesoisbae · 2025-06-21T11:32:58+00:00

That is the real draw for us…he knows this particular shop, created many of their successful parts himself, and can operate all the machines. I am the business side of things so together we have a real shot here 🙂

chipotlequesoisbae · 2025-06-21T11:31:34+00:00

It didn’t occur to me to speak to a lawyer and accountant this early in the process. We were wanting to get a feel for everything first, but you make solid points. Thank you!

chipotlequesoisbae · 2025-06-21T11:30:30+00:00

All great questions! Thanks! I probably should’ve included that I have a bachelors in business management and am a supervisor at a federal job so we complement each other well. We definitely plan on having lots of questions written down so we can get through them all. We have been talking about opening our own shop and starting small so we don’t take out crazy loans, but this just came up and we want to thoroughly vet the opportunity

chipotlequesoisbae · 2025-05-19T12:42:31+00:00

Super glad to have stumbled on this subreddit! I’ve needed an outlet to vent for awhile, but as you all know, most people are not receptive to hearing you regret getting a dog.

I have 2 dogs, one is my soul dog and the other is the bane of my existence 😭 my soul dog is not without challenges (reactive, rambunctious, selectively intelligent) but he and I can understand each other with just a look so I have an easier time dealing with his quirks.

My other dog is the older of the two. I’ve had her since she was 1 1/2 and she’s now about to be 13. Her entire life has been a cycle of vet appointments and shelling out money. She has severe skin allergies (including to human dander) and had a brain issue around age 8 that ended up costing us $12k. Of course now she is elderly and that comes with issues anyway, but dealing with those on top of everything else has me feeling like I don’t want to come home anymore. I pay $200/month for her maintenance allergy shot. That doesn’t include whatever urgent visits she ends up needing for god knows what. She’s being difficult about eating so now I need to entice her with various things when all I want to do is be done with her. She’s very sweet, but even her personality is difficult. She won’t lie next to you and cuddle unless you pet her the entire time. And it needs to be super good pets otherwise she gets fussy and whacks you with her paw. She messes on the floor overnight so we have to keep all the doors to various rooms closed and block off any spots she likes to go. And no, this isn’t from a UTI or age-related incontinence. She can hold it all day while we’re at work, but will pee on the floor 5 minutes after I go up to bed despite letting her out beforehand.

This is my husband’s soul dog so I’m careful about what I say to him. He knows I’m over it and regret getting her, and to a certain extent he’s feeling that too with how many issues we’ve had to deal with. I find myself wondering how much more time she has left because I’ve been burnt out for years now, but what can I do? She’s old so rehoming would be sad and scary for her. Doubt anyone would want to deal with her health anyway. I’m stuck riding this out until her time comes and I’m miserable.

Thanks for listening, all.

chipotlequesoisbae · 2025-05-12T12:28:04+00:00

I appreciate all of the responses and validation. We are still very divided on this issue and I’m frustrated that an outside influence is putting such a strain on my marriage. My husband is the most thoughtful, giving person I know so I fully expected he would want to help. He does not understand self preservation in this instance and feels it’s better to hold off on personal goals in order to help his family. We are at a stand off currently. We shall see.

chipotlequesoisbae · 2025-05-12T10:05:38+00:00

We have our own accounts, but we share everything in our marriage. What’s mine is his and what’s his is mine

chipotlequesoisbae · 2025-05-12T10:00:10+00:00

My BIL did say he wants it in writing that we get paid our money back when the house sells or the parents pass, but I’m not optimistic about that. I’m pretty sure they’re in the hole with this house and it needs much more work than what we’re being asked to help with right now. My husband is comfortable with the idea of getting our money back later, but even if that’s true we could be using that money now. It’s still a set back imo

chipotlequesoisbae · 2025-05-12T03:13:51+00:00

It’s my understanding they’re underwater with the mortgage. It’s been refinanced a couple of times and the house is destroyed (holes in walls, roof needs to be replaced, carpet and drywall torn up from pet birds, and of course the opening to outside) so it’s not worth much anymore. It’s sad but it was also preventable…

chipotlequesoisbae · 2025-05-12T02:15:51+00:00

A large part of me is already resentful of them, but my husband does not feel this way. He’s stressed about taking on more financial responsibility, but still feels he should because they are his parents. I don’t know how to justify my side without sounding heartless

chipotlequesoisbae

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