Entrepreneurship · Self-paced course
Buying an Existing Small Business
Learn to search for, evaluate, value and plan the takeover of an existing small business while working alongside qualified advisors.
$350
One-time payment · Self-paced course · 6 modules · 18 lessons
Enroll now — $350Read a free preview lesson
What this is
Buying an established small business can be a practical alternative to starting from scratch, but the process is full of unfamiliar terms, documents and decisions. This course walks you through it in a clear sequence: defining what you want, finding and screening listings, reading financial information, understanding valuation and deal structure concepts, preparing for financing conversations, organizing due diligence, and planning a careful transition. Each lesson combines plain explanations with examples and an action step. The content is educational only and is designed to help you ask better questions of the attorneys, accountants and other qualified advisors who should guide your actual decisions.
You work through it at your own pace, lesson by lesson, applying each exercise to your own situation. It does not promise that a business will succeed or earn a particular amount; results depend on your market, your decisions and your effort.
What you will be able to do
- Define acquisition criteria that match your skills, capital, location and lifestyle goals
- Find businesses for sale through brokers, marketplaces, referrals and direct owner outreach
- Screen listings quickly and identify early red flags before investing serious effort
- Explain seller's discretionary cash flow and test whether add-backs are reasonable
- Describe common valuation approaches and the factors that push value up or down
The curriculum
Foundations of Buying a Business
- Why Buy an Existing Business
- Defining Your Acquisition Criteria
- Building Your Advisory Team
Searching for Opportunities
- Where Businesses for Sale Come From
- Reaching Owners Directly
- Screening Listings Quickly
Evaluating a Listing
- Reading the Information Package
- Understanding Owner Cash Flow and Add-Backs
- First Seller Conversations and Early Red Flags
Value, Structure and Financing
- Valuation Concepts for Small Businesses
- Deal Structure Concepts
- Financing Concepts for Acquisitions
Due Diligence
- The Letter of Intent and Diligence Plan
- Financial Due Diligence
- Operational, Legal and Lease Diligence
Closing and Transition
- From Purchase Agreement to Closing
- Planning the Transition
- Your Acquisition Roadmap
This is for you if…
- You are considering buying a small business
- You want to evaluate a business before making an offer
- You want to understand due diligence steps
- You want to plan the first months after purchase
What you get
- 6 modules and 18 lessons, self-paced
- A short practical exercise at the end of every lesson
- A free preview lesson so you can check the format before you buy
- Access in your CourseVu account after a one-time payment
- A clear, ordered path from the fundamentals to applying the skill in your own work
Questions
Do I need any experience to start?
This course is for aspiring owners, employees considering buying their employer's business, career changers, and current owners exploring an add-on acquisition. It suits people with no prior deal experience who want a structured understanding of the process before spending money on advisors, making offers, or signing anything.
How long does it take?
It is self-paced. There are 6 modules and 18 lessons, and you can move through them as quickly or slowly as suits you.
Can I see a lesson before I buy?
Yes. Use the "Read a free preview lesson" button to open a full lesson from the course before you enroll.
Does this promise income or business results?
No. It does not promise that a business will succeed or earn a particular amount; results depend on your market, your decisions and your effort.
Does this include a certification or credential?
No. This is a practical skills course for your own learning. It does not award a certification, licence or professional credential.
Educational content only. No income, revenue or earnings results are promised or implied. What you get out of this depends entirely on your own effort, circumstances and market. Earnings disclaimer.