Most Solo Searchers Will Miss the Opportunity of a Lifetime. Here’s Why. Last Post On This Topic.

Lately I've been pretty direct on here. Truth be told, had to be. I've called out ghosting, soft searching, and the idea that you can part time your way into ownership. But this post is different. It's not a teardown, but a wake up call and an invitation. Let me start with one stat that we all know by now. - Over 2M small businesses in the United States will try to change hands over the next decade and this wave is what people call the Silver Tsunami. But here's the part people don't say out loud. Most of those businesses will fail to find a successor. Not because they're broken, but because there just aren't enough teams ready to take them over. Here exactly what's happening now and will continue to, over and over: 1. The owner's kids don't want it. 2. Their staff can't afford it. 3. No offer comes in. 4. They close the doors forever. And the worst part isn't just that the income is gone, it's the masive amount of job loss and community value wipe out. It's decades of sweat closed with a permanent lock. That's why I'm writing this again for the solo searchers, because the pattern is clear. 1. No team 2. No accountability 3. No real execution 4. No deals closed And no, it is not because solo searchers are lazy, it's because they're alone. And in 2025, that's a losing game. So, if you're in your 20s, 30s, shit even your 40's, and you're thinking about buying a business, then this is the most wide open window you'll ever see. But let me be clear, because I'm not going to keep posting about this. You WILL NOT get through it solo. What I am saying is: 1. If you're solo, go build a team. 2. If you're early, go join one. 3. If you're capital light, go raise with someone who can close. 4. If you're strapped for time, plug into someone already moving. 5. Forget ego and titles. Just move. If we, as ETA operators, want to preserve the businesses that are at risk of closing, we have to show up. Because if we don't, the damage will be massive. And yes, I know a lot of businesses will still shut down and we can't save everyone, but some don't have to. Some can be saved and the difference will be whether solo searchers step up or sit it out. It took us 5 years to find the right team we could actually trust. And let me tell you; that shit was so hard. There were failures, false starts, people who fucked us, and we had to pressure test execution again and again. Not going to lie, but we almost quit more times than I can count, but we kept going. And now we're in the final stretch of closing our first healthcare acquisition. Which tbh has made everything worth it. This whole wave is bigger than all of us. These businesses need someone to carry on the legacy; to protect the people, jobs and history. So stop waiting. And if you're not ready to lead yet, that's okay. Bu don't stand still. Find someone who is building, join them, support them, but whatever you do, don't just go dark. The window is open and it won't be forever. These businesses need us. So, get on your horse and go get 'em! Best, Marcus