Deal Sourcing from Within

searcher profile

July 24, 2025

by a searcher from King's College London, University of London in Minneapolis, MN, USA

While searching, I’m considering joining a small home services and/or construction company as an operations manager with the hope of one day acquiring it or a similar one via local connections and experience that I develop in the role. Has anyone here sourced a deal from within or via the company they worked, like when an owner is looking to step back or introduces you to an adjacent owner looking to sell? Also, for those who've taken this route: do you think it’s better to target positions at a family-owned business or a PE-backed portco? For context, I'm geographically constrained, so local relationships are more important, and deal flow is slower than it is for other searchers.
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commentor profile
Reply by an investor
from Washington University in St. Louis in Ashburn, VA, USA
Thomas - Check out the June 30 Acquiring Minds podcast "New Way to Pursue ETA: Searcher-in-Residence" if you haven't already. Both the owner and searcher were there to answer questions. It really came down to being open to several different outcomes and both sides being comfortable (ie winning) no matter which path they took. And good to see you on the VetETA call last Friday!
commentor profile
Reply by a searcher
from United States Military Academy in Boston, MA, USA
This should work better than most traditional or self funded approaches. Particularly if you are also networking with brokers so they can let people know who might know your work by reputation or industry. Of course you want to avoid PE backed - so that you can be at a good home services company that actually does economical services and isn't overpriced
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