Buying a Business Shouldn't Feel Like Guesswork
Most people approach business acquisition with a mix of excitement and dread. There's so much that can go wrong—and nobody really talks about it until you're already in too deep. We're here to change that.
Explore Our ProgramAverage months from first inquiry to settled purchase
Of buyers who received training felt confident during negotiations
Australian businesses change hands annually through private sales
Why Most Business Purchases Fall Apart
Back in 2022, I watched three separate deals collapse within weeks of each other. All different buyers, different industries. But the pattern was identical—they got excited about the business itself and forgot to ask the hard questions.
One buyer discovered a lease issue two days before settlement. Another realized the supplier agreements weren't transferable. The third? Well, they found out the "loyal customer base" was actually two major clients who weren't planning to stay.
- Financial records that don't match what you were told initially
- Staff who leave the moment ownership changes hands
- Equipment that needs replacing sooner than expected
- Market conditions that shift faster than your due diligence
How We Actually Help You Prepare
Our program runs from September 2025 through March 2026, giving you time to learn properly before making decisions that affect your financial future.
Valuation Reality Check
Learn what businesses are actually worth versus what sellers claim. We'll walk through real examples from NSW and Queensland markets, showing you where valuations typically inflate and why.
Due Diligence That Actually Works
Stop relying on generic checklists. We teach you how to spot red flags specific to Australian small businesses—from ASIC searches to lease agreement fine print that matters in 2025.
Negotiation Without the Drama
Most buyers either push too hard or cave too easily. You'll practice negotiation scenarios based on real transactions, learning when to walk away and when to push for better terms.
Financing Options Beyond Banks
Banks aren't your only option anymore. Vendor financing, private equity, and alternative lenders have changed the game. We'll show you which options make sense for different deal sizes.
Post-Purchase Integration
The sale is just the beginning. Learn how to transition ownership without losing customers, staff, or momentum. This is where most new owners struggle, and we've seen what works.
Legal Structure Decisions
Asset sale versus share sale isn't just accounting jargon. These choices affect your tax position, liability exposure, and future exit options. We break down what each actually means for you.
Understanding Cash Flow Reality
Profit on paper means nothing if you can't pay suppliers next month. Too many buyers focus on annual revenue and miss the weekly cash flow patterns that actually keep a business running.
We spend significant time on cash conversion cycles—how long money stays tied up in inventory or receivables before it becomes usable cash again. This changes dramatically between retail, service, and manufacturing businesses.
A cafe might turn cash daily, but a wholesale distributor could wait 90 days for payment. That gap needs funding, and new buyers often underestimate the working capital required.
Staff Transitions That Don't Implode
Last year a participant bought a logistics business with twelve staff. Within three months, seven had left. Not because he was a bad owner—he just didn't understand the informal agreements the previous owner had with the team.
Things like flexible hours, unofficial bonuses, or Friday afternoon finishes. These unwritten perks matter more than the official employment contracts sometimes. And they rarely show up in due diligence.
You'll learn how to interview staff before purchase, read between the lines of employment records, and structure transition plans that keep key people engaged during ownership changes.
Market Positioning in 2025
What worked in 2020 doesn't necessarily work now. Customer expectations have shifted. Digital presence matters more. Supply chains are still adjusting from disruptions that happened years ago.
When you buy an existing business, you're inheriting its market position—whether that's strong or weak. We help you assess whether that position is defendable or if you're buying something that needs immediate repositioning.
I almost bought a fabrication business in early 2024 without proper training. The numbers looked solid until someone asked about the age of their machinery. Turned out I would've needed to replace three major pieces within eighteen months—never budgeted for that. The program saved me from a costly mistake.
Next Intake: September 2025
Our six-month program gives you time to learn, practice, and apply what you've learned before making major financial commitments. Classes run Tuesday and Thursday evenings, with optional weekend workshops for deeper topics.
Real Examples from Recent Transactions
Theory only gets you so far. During the program, we analyze actual business sales from the past two years—with names changed but numbers real. You'll see what went right, what went wrong, and why.
One case study involves a Parramatta retail business that sold for 3.2 times EBITDA. Seemed reasonable until you realized their lease was up for renewal and the landlord wanted a 40% increase. The buyer negotiated a lease renewal before settlement, which dropped the effective purchase price significantly.
Another involves a service business in Brisbane where the owner stayed on for six months post-sale. That transition period made all the difference in customer retention—something the buyer negotiated specifically after understanding how relationship-dependent the business was.
What surprised me most was learning how much emotion influences business sales. Sellers get defensive about feedback. Buyers fall in love with the idea and ignore warning signs. The program taught me to stay objective when everyone around me was getting emotional about the deal.
