Acquire Like a Pro - Evaluate, Structure, & Diligence Deals / Transition
Finding a business is only the beginning. The real challenge is knowing how to evaluate it, structure a competitive offer, uncover hidden risks, and successfully transition into ownership. Acquire Like a Professional is designed for buyers who want to move beyond theory and learn how experienced acquirers approach real transactions. Over four weeks, we'll work through actual acquisition scenarios, dissect real deals, and walk through the same frameworks we use to assess opportunities, negotiate terms, and make informed decisions. Rather than teaching generic acquisition concepts, this program focuses on practical application. You'll learn how to identify red flags, determine what a business is truly worth, ask better questions during diligence, and develop a plan for leading the business after closing. Throughout the program, we'll work collaboratively using real examples so you can see how experienced buyers think—not just what they do. By the end of the program, you'll have a repeatable process for evaluating opportunities, greater confidence navigating negotiations and diligence, and a practical framework you can apply to every deal you consider.
What's included
We'll meet weekly at a designated time, focusing on one module per week. I'll move at your preferred pace, diving deeper into areas where you have more questions and moving more swiftly through topics you are familiar with. This isn't a canned course with pre-scripted content. It will be structured and tailored to what you know, what you need to learn, and where you are in your search.
- A professional deal evaluation framework to quickly identify strengths, weaknesses, red flags, and key questions before investing significant time in a deal.
- Our acquisition call sheet, the same structured framework we use to evaluate opportunities and guide seller conversations.
- A practical understanding of valuation and deal structuring, including multiples, add-backs, working capital, and negotiation strategies that influence purchase price and terms.
- Our Letter of Intent (LOI) template to help you prepare stronger offers and understand the key provisions that matter in negotiations.
- A due diligence decision framework that helps you distinguish between issues worth accepting, negotiating, or walking away from entirely.
- Hands-on experience evaluating a real acquisition, giving you insight into how experienced buyers analyze opportunities beyond the financial statements.
- A transition playbook for your first 90 days of ownership, including employee communication, seller transition planning, and early operational priorities.
- A personalized action plan outlining your next steps toward SBA prequalification, professional positioning, and becoming an acquisition-ready buyer.
Meet your expert
Mark F.
100+ Deals In: Navigating Seller Fraud, Buried Cash, & Real Successes
Hi, I'm Mark. I'm a business owner, investor, and acquisition entrepreneur who has participated in more than 40 successful small business acquisitions across a wide range of industries. Since acquiring my first business a decade ago (a residential cleaning company, which I have since exited), I have co-acquired and evaluated thousands of opportunities, navigating everything from seller fraud and hidden liabilities to complex deal structures and successful post-acquisition growth. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in finance and investing, I specialize in business valuation, deal structuring, SBA financing, due diligence, and acquisition strategy. My coaching combines the analytical rigor that comes with being a chartered financial analyst (CFA) and financial risk manager (FRM) with practical, real-world lessons from transactions that have ranged from exceptional to extremely challenging. Whether you're refining your buy box, evaluating your first acquisition, or working through a live deal, my goal is to help you think like an experienced buyer and make better decisions with greater confidence.
