Ad Tech Professional Kicking Off ETA Journey in NJ

searcher profile

June 02, 2025

by a searcher from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey in Cranford, NJ, USA

🔹 Hi Searchfunder community! I’m Stuart Carroll, a sales and marketing executive based in New Jersey. Over the past decade, I’ve worked with major brands like Amazon and Wayfair, helping scale 8-figure digital media investments across platforms such as Meta and Pinterest. I recently jumpstarted my research into Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition and am in the early stages of this journey—actively learning, refining my investment focus, and connecting with others who’ve successfully made the leap into small business ownership. So far, I’ve found myself most drawn to: * Digital marketing and media agencies (where I can directly apply my background in performance marketing and business development) * Home services and light B2B service providers (especially those with strong customer relationships and room to grow) I’m seeking to acquire a business in Northern or Central New Jersey, ideally with $300K–$1M in SDE, and a clear path to scale through: * Operational streamlining * Improved marketing and sales execution * Modernization through tools like generative AI and workflow automation This won’t be a passive investment—I’m eager to step in and lead, bringing hustle, strategic insight, and long-term commitment. 👥 I’d love to connect with: * Brokers and advisors who know of businesses in these sectors * Experienced operators in marketing, creative, or local service-based businesses * Fellow searchers—especially those from non-MBA or non-finance backgrounds—who’ve made the leap from corporate into ETA On the personal side, I’m a new dad and lifelong Jersey guy, looking to build a business I can be proud of for my family and community. Thanks in advance for any connections or advice you’re willing to share. 📧 redacted | 📍 Based in Cranford, NJ
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commentor profile
Reply by a searcher
from Messiah College in Spring Lake, NJ 07762, USA
Hey Stuart, thanks for the post. I'm a searcher based in Ocean County, about 15 years into a digital media and marketing career, currently working corporate for one of the big auto OEM's, also a new dad as of New Years Eve 2024, and a Searcher focused on B2B service companies. I also started a local ETA meetup last year but its been on hold since we had the baby, feel free to "subscribe" so that you get the notification for when we schedule the next happy hour - https://lu.ma/asburyeta. Lastly, there is an ETA event in NYC on wednesday that would be great for you to attend, its hosted by Search Fund Coalition: https://lu.ma/dtdnyc625?tk=RrlcR1 ... Feel free to shoot me an email if you want to connect on a zoom meeting in the next few weeks: redacted
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Reply by a professional
from Seton Hall University in Morristown, NJ 07960, USA
Hey ^redacted‌ - welcome to Searchfunder. Happy to connect! Fellow New Jerseyan here, but I went to Seton Hall, not Rutgers. I'm heavy into the financial and CPA side of things. Let's grab a virtual (or local!) coffee one of these days. I'm based in Chester, NJ but I am all over the place...
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