Do your homework before you buy a business.
Independent consulting and education for first-time business buyers. We help you get ready, understand the numbers and know what to ask, then connect you with licensed business brokers, lenders and lawyers for the rest.
What we help you look at
Independent
We don't act for sellers or earn a commission on any sale.
Financing know-how
Learn how CSBFP, BDC, bank and SBA 7(a) loans and seller notes work.
Flat, upfront pricing
Scope and fee set out in writing before we start.
Help after close
A 100-day plan template for the handover to you.
Built for people buying their first business, not deal pros.
Leaving corporate
You have savings and management experience, and you want to own and run something real.
Self-funded searchers
You're running a full-time search and want help with analysis, organization and finding the right professionals.
Owners adding on
You already run a business and want to think through a tuck-in acquisition.
Cross-border buyers
You're a Canadian looking in the US, or the reverse, and want to understand how both systems differ.
Get prepared at every stage.
Use us for the whole journey or just the stage you're stuck on. For anything that needs a licence, like brokering, lending, legal or tax work, we connect you with professionals who hold one. You hire them directly and they work for you.
Readiness
Your goals, budget, target criteria and a general picture of financing options.
Search
Help defining what to look for, reviewing public listings, and introductions to licensed business brokers.
Analysis
Normalized financials, price benchmarks and a red-flag checklist to take to your advisors.
Financing prep
Help organizing your own financial summary, and names of lenders you can contact directly.
Deal prep
A diligence checklist, a document tracker and questions to raise with your lawyer and accountant.
First 100 days
A handover plan template, staff and customer checklists, and a simple KPI dashboard.
Flat fees, quoted upfront.
Every engagement has a written agreement that sets out the scope and fee before we start. Our fee never depends on the price you pay or whether a deal closes.
Buyer Blueprint
Start here. Get clear on your budget and what to look for.
- Goals and criteria scorecard
- Budget and general financing overview
- Target industry shortlist
Deal Review
Looking at a business? Get an independent analysis to take to your lawyer and accountant.
- Financial normalization
- Price benchmarks and structure options
- Red-flag checklist and questions for your advisors
Full Support
Consulting at all six stages, paid in stages as you go.
- Everything in Blueprint and Deal Review
- Financing prep and professional introductions
- Diligence checklist and 100-day plan
Not sure which fits? Email us and we'll suggest one, with a quote.
Clear about what we do, and what we don't.
We're a consulting and education service. Decisions are always yours, and regulated work stays with licensed professionals you choose.
| Topic | BayStreetBrother | Who handles it |
|---|---|---|
| Finding businesses for sale | Help with your criteria and public listings | Licensed business brokers we can connect you with |
| Offers and negotiation | Analysis and questions to consider | You, your lawyer and a licensed broker |
| Loans | Help preparing your information | Lenders, who make all credit decisions |
| Legal, tax and accounting | Not provided | Your own lawyer and accountant |
Get a free starting estimate
Tell us where you're starting from. We'll email you a rough estimate of the business size buyers in a similar position often look at. Free, no obligation.
This is general educational information, not a loan pre-approval or financial advice. Only a lender can tell you what you qualify for.
Questions buyers ask first
How much money do I need to buy a business?
Often less than people expect, because lenders and sellers may finance part of the price. Every situation is different, and only a lender can tell you what you qualify for.
Are you a business broker?
No. We don't list businesses, act for buyers or sellers in a transaction, or negotiate on anyone's behalf. When you're ready to look at businesses for sale, we can connect you with licensed business brokers.
Do you replace my lawyer and accountant?
No. We're not a law firm, accounting firm or lender. We can share names of independent professionals. You engage them directly and they work for you.
Do brokers or lenders pay you?
Our fee comes from you. If we would ever receive a referral fee from someone we introduce you to, we'll tell you in writing before you decide to work with them.
Do you work with buyers in the US?
Yes, we work with buyers in Canada and the US. For a deal in a particular province or state, you'll work with professionals licensed there.