Atlanta Investment Group  ·  First Acquisition Program

THE BUSINESS YOU
WANT ALREADY
EXISTS. BUY IT.

Somewhere right now, a profitable business with real customers, real cash flow, and a trained team is sitting on the market — or about to be. The owner is retiring. The kids don't want it. And you've been talking yourself out of it for years. We'll stop that conversation and start a better one.

What You'll Walk Away With

A vetted deal pipeline — businesses for sale in your budget, industry, and geography that match your acquisition criteria.

Creative financing strategies — seller financing, SBA loans, equity partners — so you don't need full cash at close.

Due diligence protection — we uncover what sellers don't tell you before you sign anything.

Deal structure that protects you — ratchets, earnouts, escrows, indemnification clauses that shift risk back to the seller.

A 100-day integration plan — so you don't lose revenue the moment you take the keys.

Myth vs. Reality

THE EXCUSES THAT
COST YOU MILLIONS

Every week you wait, someone else buys the business you should own. Here's the truth behind every excuse we hear.

Myth

"I need a lot of cash to buy a business."

Reality

The majority of small business acquisitions under $5M are structured with seller financing, SBA 7(a) loans, or equity partners — often requiring as little as 10–15% down. Cash is one tool, not a requirement.

Myth

"I don't know enough about business to run one."

Reality

You don't need to be an expert — you need to buy a business with systems, trained staff, and an existing customer base. The best acquisitions come with a team that already knows how to run it.

Myth

"Deals like this are only for private equity firms."

Reality

More than 400,000 small businesses change hands every year in the US. Baby Boomer owners are retiring at scale with no succession plan — creating a historic buyer's market for individual acquirers right now.

Myth

"It's too risky. What if the business fails?"

Reality

Buying an established business with proven cash flow is statistically safer than starting one from scratch. We mitigate risk further through rigorous due diligence, seller warranties, and deal structures that hold sellers accountable post-close.

Myth

"I won't find a good deal. Everything worth owning is overpriced."

Reality

The best deals aren't on BizBuySell — they're found through direct outreach, broker relationships, and M&A networks. Our proprietary deal flow sources businesses before they're listed publicly, often at below-market valuations.

Myth

"This will take years and I don't have time."

Reality

A focused acquirer with the right advisory support can go from decision to close in 90–180 days. We run the process for you — sourcing, screening, negotiating — so your day job isn't interrupted until you're ready to sign.

Our Program

EVERYTHING YOU NEED
TO GET TO CLOSE

Our First Acquisition Program wraps every service a first-time buyer needs into a single, guided engagement.

🎯

Acquisition Criteria Definition

We interview you to build your "acquisition thesis" — the specific type of business, size, geography, and structure that fits your goals, risk tolerance, and lifestyle.

🔍

Proprietary Deal Sourcing

We tap our broker network, off-market outreach, and industry databases to generate a qualified pipeline of opportunities — most of which you'll never see on public listing sites.

📊

Financial Analysis & Valuation

We normalize the financials, identify add-backs, reconstruct true EBITDA, and give you an independent valuation — so you never overpay and always know what you're really buying.

💼

Financing Strategy

We map out your optimal capital stack: SBA loan, seller note, equity co-investors, or a combination. We make introductions to SBA lenders and financing partners in our network who close deals like yours regularly.

🔬

Due Diligence Management

We run a systematic 50-point due diligence checklist covering financials, contracts, customer concentration, legal liabilities, employee risk, and operational dependencies. No surprises after close.

🤝

Negotiation & Deal Structuring

We negotiate on your behalf — price, terms, reps & warranties, escrows, transition support, and earnout structures that protect you if the seller's promises don't hold up.

📋

LOI & Purchase Agreement Support

We work alongside your attorney to review and red-line every document — making sure the deal you sign reflects the deal you negotiated, with no hidden exposure.

🚀

100-Day Integration Playbook

We build your post-close game plan before you close — covering key employee retention, customer communication, operational continuity, and the first 100 days of running your new business.

$500K–$10M
Typical Deal Size We Work
90–180
Days From Start to Close
10–20%
Typical Down Payment Required
20+
Years Advising Acquisitions
FROM HANDSHAKE
TO KEYS IN HAND.
IN 90 TO 180 DAYS.
Here is the exact path we walk with every first-time buyer — step by step, from that first phone call to the day you own a cash-flowing business.
Your Roadmap

FROM FIRST CALL TO
FIRST DAY OF OWNERSHIP

Here's exactly how we take you from "I want to own a business" to holding the keys.

1

Free Strategy Session (30 min)

We assess your goals, capital position, timeline, and risk tolerance. You'll leave with clarity on whether acquisition is right for you — and what type of deal makes sense.

2

Define Your Acquisition Thesis (Week 1–2)

Together we document your ideal target profile: industry, size, geography, deal structure. This becomes the filter for everything we source.

3

Active Deal Sourcing (Week 2–6)

We work our network, contact brokers, and run proprietary outreach to surface businesses matching your criteria. You review qualified opportunities only — no time wasted on bad fits.

4

Letter of Intent (Week 6–10)

When you find the right target, we structure a compelling LOI that protects your position and signals you're a serious buyer — without overcommitting before due diligence.

5

Due Diligence & Financing (Week 10–18)

Deep financial and operational review while your financing is underwritten in parallel. We manage both tracks simultaneously so there's no delay.

6

Close & Take Ownership (Day 90–180)

Final documents signed, funds transferred, keys in hand. You own a business with cash flow, customers, and a team — from day one.

INDUSTRIES WE SPECIALIZE IN

  • Construction & trade contractors
  • Business services & professional services
  • Distribution & light manufacturing
  • Healthcare & home services
  • Retail with real estate or recurring revenue
  • Food service & franchise concepts
  • Technology-enabled service businesses
  • Commercial real estate adjacent businesses
Not sure if your target industry is a fit? Book a free 30-minute call. We'll tell you honestly whether it's a deal we can help with — and if not, we'll point you to someone who can.
Common Questions

ANSWERS FOR
FIRST-TIME BUYERS

How much money do I actually need to buy a business?
It depends on the deal size and structure. For businesses in the $500K–$3M range, a typical SBA-backed acquisition requires 10–15% equity injection from the buyer — often $50K–$450K. For larger deals, we frequently structure seller notes, equity co-investors, or earn-out agreements that reduce required cash further. Many of our clients have closed acquisitions with significantly less out-of-pocket capital than they expected.
Do I need industry experience in the business I'm buying?
Not necessarily. What you need is management competence and the right team. Many successful acquirers buy businesses in industries where they have no prior experience — their role is to own and oversee, not to perform the trade. We help you evaluate whether the business can run without you being the expert, and we screen for strong management teams as part of our deal criteria.
What's the difference between a good deal and a bad one?
A good deal has: verified cash flow (not just revenue), low customer concentration (no single client over 20–25%), a team that doesn't depend on the seller, clean books with no hidden liabilities, and a valuation that reflects actual normalized EBITDA. A bad deal has inflated add-backs, undisclosed debts, key-man dependency, or a seller who won't stand behind representations. Our due diligence process is designed to catch every red flag before you're committed.
How do you find businesses that aren't publicly listed?
Through 20+ years of relationships with M&A intermediaries, business brokers, attorneys, accountants, and direct outreach to business owners. Many of the best businesses for sale are never listed — owners sell quietly to avoid alarming employees and customers. We reach them through our network and systematic off-market outreach campaigns.
What happens if the business underperforms after I buy it?
This is why deal structure matters. We build in seller warranties, indemnification clauses, and performance escrows that hold the seller financially responsible for misrepresentations. When part of the purchase price is structured as a seller note or earnout tied to performance, the seller shares your downside risk — which also incentivizes an honest handoff.
How is Atlanta Investment Group compensated?
We earn a success fee at close, tied to deal size. There are no retainers and no hourly billing for most engagements — our interests are aligned with yours. We only win when you close a deal you're happy with. Specifics are discussed in your initial strategy session.

YOUR FIRST ACQUISITION
STARTS WITH ONE CALL.

Andrew Collins has guided dozens of first-time buyers from "I want to own a business" to "I own a business." Book your free 30-minute strategy session now.

Book Your Free Session
Book Your Call

PICK YOUR TIME.
WE'LL DO THE REST.

30 minutes. Free. No obligation. Andrew will personally review your situation and give you a clear path forward.