Pivoting from Corporate to SMB Private Equity - Advice Welcome

August 02, 2025

by a searcher from Georgia Institute of Technology - Ernest Scheller Jr. College of Business in Roswell, GA, USA

I’m new to the SMB investment space and would appreciate any guidance from those further along in the journey. I've spent the past 20 years in the corporate world and I'm interested in learning how to pivot to a career in SMB acquisition. I spent the past 14 years with Home Depot where I managed large P&L's for different product categories, built merchandising strategies, negotiated large deals with global vendors and gained valuable experience across areas like finance, marketing and supply chain. Over the past few months, I've started exploring the world of ETA by reading books (Buy Then Build, Main Street Millionaire), listened to dozens of Acquiring Minds podcast episodes and connected with operators that have taken the leap. I'm looking for helpful advice in the following areas: - How to pivot from corporate to the ETA/SMB acquisition space - Best way to find and connect with firms in the space - Key areas to continue learning I'm based in Atlanta and open to conversations with anyone knowledgable in this area. Thanks in advance for all the support.

Reply by a professional
from The University of Georgia in Atlanta, GA, USA

Hi Jeff - welcome to the self-funded searcher world! I'm in Atlanta myself, formerly from corporate America (Cox Enterprises) but now in Professional Services (CPA firms and boutique M&A advisory) working with folks like yourself in financial DD (QoEs). I know there is a SearchFunder group in Atlanta, do a search in this app for Atlanta groups. They meet monthly I believe. I'm also happy to connect to share experiences, maybe via virtual call at some point later this month. (Although I'm a UGA fan, I try to keep football allegiances and business interests separate! :-)) LMK what works for you. redacted

Reply by a searcher
from Harvard University in New York, NY, USA

Best advice I can give is the mental preparation. Corporate America is 40 hr work weeks, paid overtime, paid vacation, weekends with the family, leave work at work when you go home. SMB is 80 hr work weeks, personal bankruptcy risk, no days off, constant worrying and anxiety. You need to ask yourself: "are you mentally and financially prepared for that change? Is your family mentally and financially prepared for you to make that change?"

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