April 23, 2007, 10:27 pm

What should I know before I buy a business?

FSB walks an aspiring owner through the steps here, but let us know what we're missing. Just bought a business? Tell us your most frustrating moment in the purchase process.

Your Answers
AFrom Steve Williams – Atlanta, GA

I bought an auto parts distributor last May. The most frustrating part was dealing with business brokers and sellers across the country in some of the deals. They all had different "rules" regarding information, how it was presented, what they would or would not provide and when. I am glad I stuck to it but what a terribly inefficient process…definitely not like buying real estate. One thing that really helped me was a manual I bought online for $100 called 'How to buy a good business at a great price' – from a company diomo.com – it simplified everything for me.

Posted By Steve Williams – Atlanta, GA : November 13, 2007 6:31 am
AFrom M. Maxwell Hobe Sound FL www.caribbeanbusinessdigest.com.

I recommend putting together an acquisition team. An attorney, an accountant and a close friend or family member to keep you balanced. In essence you want to do due diligence and dig through financial records and intangibles (is there a declining market for this company) to ensure that a viable business exists.

Posted By M. Maxwell Hobe Sound FL www.caribbeanbusinessdigest.com. : April 26, 2007 10:03 pm
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QWe've run a dinner theater for three decades. We've been operating at a loss for the last couple of years, and are unable to get a loan. We even closed for two months this summer to save money. We don't know what to do. More
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- Kyle, Sarasota, Fla.
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