What I’ve Learned (So Far) From Searching While Working Full-Time

Hey Searchfunder crew, Wanted to share a quick reflection from the trenches of the search, specifically the after-hours, weekend-warrior version. I’m an operator and investor actively looking to acquire a small business, all while working full-time in private equity and development. Balancing both has been a crash course in focus, grit, and patience and a reminder that this path often gets built late at night, one call and one email at a time. Here’s what’s been helpful for me lately: • Clarity wins – Having a tight buy box and sticking to it has saved me hours chasing the wrong deals. I’ve said “no” more this quarter than ever before. • Momentum compounds – Even just 30 focused minutes a day compounds into meaningful outreach and conversations over time. • There’s no such thing as a perfect deal, just imperfect ones with the right ingredients and enough upside to matter. I’m still early in my journey, but learning fast and always open to hearing how others manage the juggle. If you’re a full-time professional also doing a self-funded or partner-backed search, I’d love to swap notes. Or if you’re a business owner or broker with opportunities that align with what I’ve shared in previous posts (essential services, recurring revenue, etc.), don’t hesitate to reach out. Here’s to all of us building good businesses the hard way. – Michael McMahon 📩 redacted