This is a preview of the Shortform book summary of Buy Then Build by Walker Deibel.
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Choosing to assume control of an established business rather than starting a fresh one can offer specific advantages.

The passage emphasizes the benefits of assuming control of an existing business, indicating that this strategy might provide greater advantages than starting a fresh company from scratch.

Acquiring a business lays a robust groundwork for generating profits and enhances financial stability.

Acquisition entrepreneurship offers prospective business owners a head start by providing an existing and profitable infrastructure. Entrepreneurs embarking on new enterprises by allocating funds into a pre-established company begin with a solid monetary foundation and a validated strategy that can result in advantageous profits. Entrepreneurship is commonly perceived as a strategy that entails meticulous evaluation of investments and usually begins by creating a lucrative income source prior to seeking additional expansion.

Having an existing customer base, immediate cash flow, and a proven business model are inherent benefits that acquisition entrepreneurs capitalize upon. Purchasing a pre-established company allows individuals to bypass early obstacles like establishing infrastructure, securing financial backing, and building a customer base that are common hurdles for new businesses.

Walker Deibel's path to success, marked by acquiring and managing a printing business, demonstrates the transformation of an enterprise into a leading entity in its industry, overcoming early obstacles like...

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Buy Then Build Summary Starting a journey as an entrepreneur with a focus on acquiring businesses.

To evolve into an entrepreneur focused on acquisitions, one must adeptly integrate personal skills with strategic goals and potential market prospects. This functions as a guide to align your mindset and actions to attain success.

It's crucial to align your mindset with your capabilities and actions.

Cultivating a mindset geared towards growth and originality in business tactics is crucial for triumph in the corporate realm.

The author emphasizes the importance for entrepreneurs to embrace the concept of a growth mindset, as described by Carol Dweck, and points out that steadfast dedication and persistence are crucial for personal development. Embracing this perspective allows entrepreneurs to view exertion in a positive light, gain insights from their efforts, surmount obstacles efficiently, and as a result, achieve the highest degrees of achievement. Adapting to a flexible mindset is crucial for personal growth and effective leadership when confronted with challenges. The book provides business founders with the essential abilities for dynamic leadership, promotes learning from mistakes, and refines their problem-solving strategies, thus...

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Buy Then Build Summary Taking charge and establishing proprietorship over a corporation.

The process of acquiring and integrating a business is multifaceted and intricate. The author elaborates on how to identify a budding business prospect and foster the development of the nascent venture.

Engaging in conversations with the owner of prospective businesses for potential acquisition.

Cultivating connections with commercial liaisons.

Gaining assets requires an understanding of investment basics and the recognition that selecting dependable firms is a complex task that goes beyond simply perusing online listings, which is often complicated by fierce competition and limited clarity. Professionals specializing in private investment frequently concentrate on establishing connections with key individuals responsible for overseeing deal-making processes, rather than zeroing in on solitary transactions. This approach enables you to access potentially better opportunities that might not be accessible to the wider audience, since brokers frequently offer these options to a select network before they are published online.

Being punctual and maintaining a neat appearance can strongly convey your proficiency to agents from the outset in the realm of acquiring assets....

Buy Then Build

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Acquisition entrepreneurship involves purchasing an existing business rather than starting one from scratch. This strategy provides immediate access to an established customer base, cash flow, and proven business model. It allows entrepreneurs to bypass the challenges of building infrastructure and securing initial funding. Acquiring a business can lead to faster wealth building and a higher success rate compared to starting a new venture.
  • Equity typically represents ownership in a company and can be in the form of stocks or shares. Debt funding involves borrowing money that needs to be repaid with interest over time. Discretionary earnings are the profits a business generates after accounting for all necessary expenses. Cash flow is the movement of money in and out of a business, reflecting its liquidity and financial health.
  • Acquiring an established business through acquisition typically offers a clearer path to wealth accumulation with a success rate of nearly 98%, contrasting the higher failure rates of new startups. Acquisitions often involve significant financial loans secured by the company's assets, potentially amplifying returns for entrepreneurs. Startups, even...

Counterarguments

  • While acquiring a business may provide a solid financial foundation, it also comes with inherited problems that may not be immediately apparent, such as outdated practices or hidden liabilities.
  • An existing customer base can be a double-edged sword if the business has a tarnished reputation or if customer loyalty was to the previous owner rather than the business itself.
  • Immediate cash flow from an acquired business may not be sustainable if the business is not kept up-to-date with market trends and consumer demands.
  • The success rate of acquisitions might not be as high as suggested, as it can be skewed by survivorship bias where only successful acquisitions are reported and studied.
  • Acquiring an established business might limit an entrepreneur's creativity and innovation, as they may be constrained by the existing business model and company culture.
  • While acquisitions might...

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