When I first started buying companies, I didn’t have investors, fancy financing, or any kind of silver spoon. What I did have was time, curiosity, and a willingness to talk to business owners who wanted to retire. Over time I figured out that most people selling good companies don’t care about finding the highest bidder. They care about finding someone who will take care of what they built. That shift in thinking is what made everything possible.
Here’s what I’ve learned from actually buying businesses with limited capital in 2025.
I look for companies that are simple and steady. No hype. No startups(unless we think we can make something work with the existing owner staying on full time). I like plumbing, concrete, restoration, logistics, small manufacturing, marketing agencies with retainers, and local service companies that people rely on every week. They’re not glamorous, but they make consistent money and they’ve usually been run by the same person for twenty or thirty years. Those owners are tired. They want to slow down, but they also want to know their employees and customers will be taken care of.
I build my own list. I pick an industry, use Google Maps, and write down every company that looks active. Then I just reach out. I’ll call or email the owner and say something like, “Hey, I’ve followed your business for a while and really respect what you’ve built. I own and operate a couple small companies and was wondering if you’ve ever thought about stepping back or bringing someone on to help with the next stage.” That’s it. No big sales pitch. Just a human conversation.
Most people say no the first time and second time. Some never call back. But a few will talk. And those few conversations are where all the good deals come from. I keep track of everyone I contact and follow up every few months. Timing is everything.
Once a conversation turns serious, structure matters more than anything. I’ve used seller financing in nearly every deal I’ve done. One deal went like this: $1 million purchase price, $100k down, $500k SBA loan, and the seller carried $400k at five percent interest for five years. They liked the idea of getting paid over time instead of walking away. It gave me enough breathing room to run the business right.
If I don’t have the down payment, I find a partner who’s comfortable lending it in exchange for interest or a small profit share. I keep control by structuring it as a loan, not equity. That kind of creativity gets deals done without losing ownership. That said I always want an active partner. No passive guys – not worth the headache.
I always talk to banks before I need them. I’ll call local SBA lenders and ask what they like to see from borrowers. They’ll tell you exactly how they think. That’s free education. When you finally bring them a real opportunity, you already know how to package it so they can say yes. Also keep in mind some of the local banks aren’t really SBA.
Due diligence is where most buyers get lazy. I don’t. I ask for tax returns, bank statements, vendor lists, customer breakdowns, and payroll reports. I compare deposits to income. I verify that employees are real and staying on. I want no surprises after closing.
When I negotiate, I care more about structure than price. I’ll ask for a few months of interest-only payments or a transition period where the seller helps part-time. Those little details protect cash flow while you learn. Sellers usually say yes because it helps everyone succeed.
If you want to get started, here’s what I’d do right now.
Week 1: pick one or two industries you understand. Build a list of 25 businesses in your area.
Week 2: call or email 10 owners. Get two real conversations.
Week 3: ask one of them for basic financials. Build a rough deal model just to practice.
Week 4: talk to one SBA lender and ask what it would take to fund a deal like that.
Then repeat the cycle every month. If you stay consistent for 90 days, you’ll have real leads, real numbers, and one or two sellers who are thinking about it.
Buying a business with limited capital isn’t magic. It’s process, patience, and communication. The 2025 market is full of retiring owners who want someone capable to take over. If you can listen, plan, and follow through, you can become that person.
If anyone wants to talk through how to start, how to reach out to sellers, or what to look for in a deal, drop your questions. I’m happy to share what’s worked for me.
Dr Connor Robertson
Creative Ways I’ve Bought Profitable Businesses with Limited Capital (2025)
byu/the_connor_robertson inEntrepreneur
Posted by the_connor_robertson
3 Comments
You ought to do a AMA ! A quick question . How do you value the enterprise ? How do you negotiate?
Thanks for sharing
Thanks For sharing