What does it actually take to buy a $3.5 million business with an SBA loan? After reviewing 800 businesses, submitting 20 letters of intent, and navigating months of financing challenges, Anthony Tokosky successfully acquired Priority Doors and Windows in San Diego. In this episode of Before You Buy or Sell a Business, Jared Johnson sits down with Anthony Tokosky, a former software engineer who left his 15-year career in technology to pursue business ownership. Anthony shares how he and his business partner Alex found their acquisition through a relationship with a business broker, negotiated the purchase price from an initial offer of approximately $4.3 million to around $3.5 million, and worked through Quality of Earnings findings, working capital challenges, and SBA financing delays. They also discuss why choosing the right SBA lender can make or break an acquisition. Anthony initially pursued financing with another bank offering attractive terms, but when that lender couldn't complete the transaction, he turned to Jared's team to help get the deal closed. Six months into ownership, Anthony reflects on what happened after closing, including managing employees, updating systems, reducing expenses by approximately $110,000 to $120,000, and learning what it really means to operate an established business. In this episode, you'll learn: • How Anthony searched through 800 businesses before finding the right acquisition • Why relationships with business brokers can help buyers access opportunities before they're publicly listed • How to prepare proof of funds, buyer profiles, and financial documentation • How Quality of Earnings findings can affect purchase price negotiations • Why working capital and customer deposits matter in an SBA-financed acquisition • What caused a nine-month closing process and how the financing challenges were resolved • Why certainty of closing matters when choosing an SBA lender • What Anthony learned during his first 90 days as a business owner • How he identified over $100,000 in operational expense reductions Whether you're searching for your first business, evaluating an acquisition, or preparing for SBA financing, Anthony's experience provides a firsthand look at the process from initial search through ownership.