Current/Ex Searchers in Australia

March 18, 2026

by a searcher from James Cook University of North Queensland in Melbourne VIC, Australia

I am brand new to the ETA space, and am going to start searching for businesses shortly after attending the ETA forum. I am in the process of listening to podcasts, reading the books, Search Fund Primer etc. But would love to hear about some other read world stories as well - as I have a million questions to ask. I'd love to learn about your experiences, what to do, what NOT to do, who to approach, what's the right order of stuff to do, what to pay for and what to skimp on etc etc. Would you be able to comment or DM me? I'd love to catch up online, over the phone, or buy you coffee (if you're based in Melbourne)!

Reply by a searcher
from University of Melbourne in Melbourne VIC, Australia

@redacted‌ feel free to DM me, happy to chat. On the search journey (based in Melbourne) and also help out on the debt advisory side so can offer a few perspectives if helpful.

Reply by a searcher
from Auckland University of Technology in Auckland, New Zealand

The best piece of advice I can give you is to focus on people first. Search is a people game. You're talking to vendors. You're talking to investors. You're talking to owners. So many searchers focus on the numbers, financial models, academic theory. That's all well and good but it's irrelevant how good your system is if you repel every owner you speak with. Focus on people first.

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