Can you even search with a baby at home?

March 01, 2026

by a searcher from INSEAD in London, UK

Hi everyone! Curious to know if some of you have launched their search shortly after having a baby, or even crazier, had babies during their search. What were your best strategies? How many hours did you work every day?

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Reply by a searcher
from University of Virginia in Richmond, VA, USA

Let me answer this with a story. My wife and I had the son who is asleep in my arms even as I type this response. One Sunday afternoon last August my wife went to brunch with her friends. I was buying a business in my town. I brought my toddler with me as they were walked me through how they recognized revenue and schedule work. He had his tablet and headphones. Then he pooped after an hour and a half. I bought the company last month. My thinking is “If you’re gonna scam me then look my Al cute son in the eye and scam him.” Seems to have worked. You can absolutely search with a kid. Bring the kid with you when you meet the seller.

Reply by a searcher
from Santa Clara University in Texas, USA

This is such an important topic. I started my search when my younger one was just 2 years old. She’s 4 now — and I finally closed on a deal recently. If I’m being honest, it’s not easy at all. I’ve been incredibly lucky to have a very supportive husband and family who stepped in whenever needed. Even now, I travel every other week, and I’m able to stay focused on the company because I know my kids are in safe, loving hands. That peace of mind makes all the difference. One thing I’ve realized — doing an independent search is actually one of the more manageable parts of the journey. You can plan your outreach, diligence, and calls around your baby’s schedule. You control your calendar. But once you sign an LOI, timelines start moving fast. There are meetings, site visits, lender calls, legal back-and-forth — and toward closing, it gets intense. You don’t always control the pace anymore. And post-acquisition? That’s a whole different beast. The learning curve is steep. There’s paperwork, operational decisions, unexpected fires, team dynamics, cash flow pressure — all happening at once. It stretches you in ways you don’t anticipate. I don’t know if I have a perfect “strategy” to share. But I will say this: Build your support system early — family, friends, whoever you trust. And don’t hesitate to ask for help. Remember you don’t have to do it all alone.

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