E167: Peterson Acquisitions: A Unique Approach to Buying and Selling Businesses with Devin Craig - Watch Here

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About The Guest(s):

Devin Craig is an acquisition entrepreneur and broker with Peterson Acquisitions. He has a background in corporate America and has successfully bought and sold multiple businesses. Devin is passionate about helping others navigate the process of buying and selling businesses and is dedicated to providing education and guidance to entrepreneurs.

Summary:

Devin Craig, an acquisition entrepreneur and broker with Peterson Acquisitions, shares his journey into the world of mergers and acquisitions. He discusses the unique approach and methodologies of Peterson Acquisitions, including their focus on effective sell-side brokerage, buy-side advisory, education, and capital investment. Devin emphasizes the importance of building rapport with sellers and the value of education in the acquisition process. Peterson Acquisitions has a 90% effective rate in sell-side brokerage, compared to the industry average of 20%. The company offers buy-side advisory services, helping buyers find off-market deals and guiding them through the entire acquisition process. Peterson Acquisitions provides comprehensive education and resources for both buyers and sellers, including tools, books, and a unique methodology called QSI (Quality, Scalability, and Investability). The company also has a capital investment arm, bringing together investors, operating partners, and sellers to facilitate deals and provide opportunities for passive small business investing.

Key Takeaways:

• Peterson Acquisitions has a 90% effective rate in sell-side brokerage.
• The company offers buy-side advisory services, helping buyers find off-market deals.
• Peterson Acquisitions provides comprehensive education and resources for both buyers and sellers.
• The company has a capital investment arm, facilitating deals and providing opportunities for passive small business investing.

Quotes:

• "A person who buys your business can be your best friend." - Devin Craig
• "Use liquidity events to move into a whole new adventure." - Devin Craig

Articles:

How to Buy and Sell Businesses: Insights from an Acquisition Entrepreneur Broker

Introduction

In this article, we will explore the world of buying and selling businesses through the lens of Devin Craig, an acquisition entrepreneur broker with Peterson Acquisitions. Devin shares his journey into the mergers and acquisitions space and provides valuable insights into the process of acquiring and selling businesses. We will delve into the key themes discussed in the podcast episode, using verbatim quotes from the transcript to provide an in-depth exploration of each topic. Additionally, we will analyze the implications and potential impact of these themes and conclude with a future outlook for the industry.

The Journey into the Mergers and Acquisitions Space

Devin Craig's journey into the mergers and acquisitions space began with his wife's success in starting her own business. Inspired by her entrepreneurial spirit, Devin decided to venture into entrepreneurship himself. After obtaining a master's degree in leadership, he started a consulting business but soon realized the challenges of starting something from scratch. This led him to explore the world of buying existing businesses, and he embarked on a journey of education and research to learn more about the process.

"I started following all the big gurus that talk about no money down, Dan Pena, all these folks. I started following these guys and went down that rabbit hole and started shopping and searching for a business to buy once I learned about this kind of process or approach." - Devin Craig

After several years of searching, Devin successfully acquired a direct mail marketing company. This experience ignited his passion for the deal process and led him to acquire two more businesses. Along the way, he invested in various education programs and courses to enhance his knowledge and skills in the field of mergers and acquisitions.

The Unique Approach of Peterson Acquisitions

Devin Craig joined Peterson Acquisitions as a partner broker, drawn to the unique approach and effectiveness of the company in the sell-side brokerage space. Peterson Acquisitions boasts a 90% effective rate compared to the industry average of 20%, which piqued Devin's interest. The company's success can be attributed to its comprehensive and thorough process, which leaves no part to chance.

"What makes Peterson really unique is the effectiveness with the sell-side, which again is the most common thing that all brokers do. But also, everything else that we do is really unique." - Devin Craig

Peterson Acquisitions takes a proactive approach to the sell-side process, guiding sellers through every step and managing their expectations. The company ensures that sellers understand the proper valuation of their businesses and helps them navigate the financing process. They also prioritize buyer vetting, ensuring that potential buyers are thoroughly evaluated and have the necessary financial resources to complete the transaction.

The Importance of Education and Training

One of the key differentiators of Peterson Acquisitions is its commitment to education and training. The company offers a comprehensive education program through ChadPeterson.com, which covers both the buy-side and sell-side of mergers and acquisitions. This unique approach provides buyers and sellers with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate the process successfully.

"What I love about what we have is it's both buy and sell-side. For the same amount of money, or potentially a little bit more, you could hire someone who's going to give you both the education consultation, go find the deal, walk you through all the way to the point of negotiation and closing the deal." - Devin Craig

Peterson Acquisitions goes beyond traditional brokerage services by offering buy-side advisory, helping buyers find off-market deals and guiding them through the entire process. This hands-on approach sets Peterson Acquisitions apart from other education programs that only provide knowledge without practical guidance.

The QSI Methodology and Small Business Ownership as an Investment Vehicle

Peterson Acquisitions has developed a unique methodology called QSI (Quality, Scalability, and Investability) that views small business ownership as an investment vehicle. This approach helps buyers and sellers understand the potential for leveraging liquidity events to grow their wealth and expand their business portfolios.

"We talk about using liquidity then to move into a whole new adventure. You don't have to stay married to the same industry, location, or type of business. Let's say you are older and want to downgrade, just like your home. Many people downgrade home sizes after their kids have left. Okay, great. So you could do the exact same thing with a business." - Devin Craig

Peterson Acquisitions encourages buyers and sellers to think strategically about their next steps and consider using liquidity events to pursue new ventures or downsize their business operations. By leveraging their expertise and resources, Peterson Acquisitions helps individuals make informed decisions and maximize the potential of their business transactions.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

In conclusion, the world of buying and selling businesses is complex and requires a comprehensive understanding of the process. Devin Craig's journey into the mergers and acquisitions space highlights the importance of education, training, and a proactive approach to deal-making. Peterson Acquisitions stands out in the industry due to its unique methodology, effectiveness in the sell-side brokerage space, and commitment to lifelong partnerships with buyers and sellers.

As the industry continues to evolve, Peterson Acquisitions aims to bring more sophistication to the lower middle market and empower entrepreneurs to make informed decisions about their business ventures. By providing comprehensive education, buy-side advisory services, and access to capital, Peterson Acquisitions is revolutionizing the way small businesses are bought and sold.

The future outlook for the industry is promising, with Peterson Acquisitions leading the way in innovation and expertise. As more individuals recognize the potential of small business ownership as an investment vehicle, the demand for comprehensive brokerage services and education programs will continue to grow. With its unique approach and commitment to excellence, Peterson Acquisitions is well-positioned to shape the future of the mergers and acquisitions industry.

References

• Peterson Acquisitions. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.petersonacquisitions.com/
• Craig, D. (2021, March 10). How to Exit Podcast [Audio podcast episode]. In How to Exit Podcast. Retrieved from https://www.howtoexitpodcast.com/

Note: The verbatim quotes used in this article are from the transcript of the How to Exit Podcast episode featuring Devin Craig.

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