Entrepreneurship has long been idealized as starting with nothing but an idea and a dream. The cultural myth of the scrappy startup founder toiling in a garage until they strike gold has captured imaginations for decades. But today, savvy entrepreneurs and investors are rewriting that story. They aren’t starting from scratch. Instead, they’re buying businesses—and reaping the rewards.
“Startups are sexy, but buying businesses is where the real wealth is made,” says Anthony Raymond, publisher of The IW$ Guide to How to Buy a Business With No Money Down (IW$ Press, 2025). “Why create something new when you can take over something proven and profitable? Buying businesses is the ultimate entrepreneurial shortcut.”
This perspective isn’t just gaining traction—it’s becoming a movement. Across industries, seasoned investors, aspiring entrepreneurs, and even first-time buyers are turning to acquisitions as a safer, faster, and smarter path to business ownership. And the reasons are compelling.
Why Buying a Business Makes More Sense
Starting a business might sound romantic, but the odds are grim. According to multiple studies, nearly 90% of startups fail, with most never reaching profitability. Entrepreneurs spend years navigating costly hurdles: finding product-market fit, attracting customers, and building infrastructure—all without a guarantee of success.
Acquiring an established business flips this script. Instead of starting at zero, buyers step into businesses that already have cash flow, loyal customers, and proven systems.
“Starting a business is for amateurs,” says Sebastian H. Amieva, a global expert on acquisitions and author of the foreword to The IW$ Guide to How to Buy a Business With No Money Down. “Professionals buy businesses. It’s faster, smarter, and it lets you focus on scaling instead of surviving.”
Immediate revenue is one of the most obvious advantages. When you acquire a business, cash flow starts on day one. You inherit a loyal customer base and a trained workforce, and you avoid the costly trial-and-error phase that sinks so many startups.
Dan Peña, famously known as the “$50 Billion Man,” calls acquisitions “the quickest route to generational wealth.” He emphasizes that acquiring businesses with proven models is not just less risky but also exponentially more scalable. “Deals are made, not found,” he often says, underscoring the importance of action over endless ideation.
A Perfect Storm of Opportunity
The timing for this shift couldn’t be better. Across the United States, Baby Boomer entrepreneurs are retiring in droves, leaving millions of profitable businesses in need of new ownership. According to the Exit Planning Institute, more than 12 million businesses will change hands by 2030, representing nearly $10 trillion in value.
“This is the greatest transfer of business ownership in history,” says Carl Allen, founder of Dealmaker Wealth Society. “And most of these businesses aren’t flashy tech startups. They’re stable, profitable companies in industries like manufacturing, healthcare, and professional services. They’re the backbone of the economy.”
These businesses often sell at modest valuations, not because they lack value, but because sellers prioritize legacy and continuity over price. Many retiring owners are more interested in finding a capable successor than squeezing every dollar out of a sale.
Anthony Raymond calls it “a golden age for buyers.” He adds, “For those willing to learn the strategies, the opportunities are everywhere. It’s not just about buying a business—it’s about stepping into a well-oiled machine and taking it to the next level.”
The Rise of an Industry
With this wave of opportunities, a thriving industry of mentors and coaches has emerged to guide aspiring acquisition entrepreneurs. Leaders like Codie Sanchez, Dan Peña, and Sebastian H. Amieva are shaping the field, offering strategies, tools, and frameworks to help buyers succeed.
Codie Sanchez, an investor and founder of Contrarian Thinking, champions “buying boring businesses” as a path to extraordinary wealth. She’s made headlines for her focus on small, unglamorous industries like laundromats and landscaping companies—businesses that generate steady, reliable cash flow.
Sebastian H. Amieva takes a broader approach, mentoring clients worldwide on creative deal structures like seller financing, asset-based lending, and earn-outs. “The secret,” he says, “isn’t having millions of dollars. It’s knowing how to structure a win-win deal.”
Books like The IW$ Guide to How to Buy a Business With No Money Down are also making these strategies accessible. Drawing on the legacy of Tyler G. Hicks and International Wealth Success (IW$), the guide offers a step-by-step roadmap to finding, evaluating, and acquiring businesses with little or no personal capital.
A Proven Path to Success
The success stories are undeniable. A Midwest entrepreneur acquired a small logistics company using 90% seller financing and transformed it into a regional leader within three years. Another buyer, a former teacher in Texas, took over a daycare center with no upfront cash and doubled its profits within 18 months by adding new programs and optimizing operations.
“These aren’t flukes,” says Raymond. “They’re proof that acquisitions aren’t just for big corporations. They’re for anyone willing to learn and take action.”
The Future of Entrepreneurship
As the startup myth fades, acquisitions are becoming the definitive path to entrepreneurial success. The benefits are clear: immediate revenue, lower risk, and the ability to build on a foundation of proven success. But beyond the financial rewards, acquisitions offer something even more profound: freedom.
“Buying a business isn’t just about money,” says Anthony Raymond. “It’s about building a legacy. It’s about creating something sustainable, something that makes an impact. And it’s one of the smartest moves anyone can make in today’s economy.”
The rise of the acquisition entrepreneur signals a new era in business ownership. For those ready to embrace it, the opportunities are limitless. The only question is: Are you ready to take the leap?
ATTAIN : The Official International Wealth Success Companion and Guide to Wealth Building Since 1966
ATTAIN, formerly simply called the IW$ Newsletter, has been published monthly since 1966, is your trusted guide to building wealth and achieving financial freedom. Each issue delivers 16+ pages of actionable insights, including: Money-making ideas for part-time ventures, real businesses, and franchises. Funding sources like lenders, government grants, and real estate financing tips. Export-import trade leads, mail-order opportunities, and cosigner listings. Subscribers also receive a FREE classified ad in every issue, reaching an international audience of entrepreneurs and investors—perfect for finding partners, funding, or selling products. Available in print (U.S. only), PDF by email, or as a lifetime subscription, ATTAIN…
IWS-33 : The IWS Guide to How to Buy a Business with No Money Down
A Step-by-Step Blueprint for Acquiring a Thriving Business with Little or Zero Capital One third of all businesses are sold each year. And as the Baby Boomers age out and look for retirement from their businesses, this number will only increase as the years go by. The IWS Guide to How to Buy a Business with No Money Down includes all the documents and forms you will need to purchase a business as well as all items that should be considered before closing on the sale. PRINT EDITION AVAILABLE THROUGH AMAZON.
K-44 : The IW$ Business Acquisition & M&A Success Kit
Imagine owning businesses that provide steady cash flow, established customer bases, and the infrastructure needed to grow exponentially. The IW$ Business Acquisition & M&A Kit is designed to turn these aspirations into reality, whether you’re an entrepreneur seeking expansion, an investor pursuing high-value acquisitions, or a professional looking to sharpen your skills in mergers and acquisitions (M&A).