Acquiring Minds✓ Verified in SBA records

First Time Buyer Recipe For Success Action Small Steps

with Conor Parra · The Print Authority

LenderHawk analysis. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Acquiring Minds.

The Deal

Business

The Print Authority

Industry

Commercial printing

State

Year

2023

Revenue at Purchase

$2.0M

Deal Source

broker

Financing Structure

Bank Loan

Buyer Equity

Strategic Rationale

Acquired a 32-year-old commercial printing business with strong Lindy effect durability, established multi-location franchise customer base, web-to-print model, and significant team experience; buyer identified ability to add value through sales and marketing expertise.

Post-Acquisition Performance

Owner has been in seat for approximately two months as of podcast recording; early focus on sales, marketing, and digital strategy implementation; navigating employee and team relationship establishment with limited full-time availability during initial months.

Key Takeaways

1Account for working capital adjustments early in the deal process rather than discovering them late in negotiations.
2Bias toward action and sending LOIs quickly rather than waiting for perfect information, as LOI is non-binding and allows for real diligence.
3Choose businesses with problems you are uniquely equipped and willing to solve, treating weaknesses as strengths if they match your interests and capabilities.
4Manage stakeholder expectations during ownership transitions, recognizing that your absence or part-time involvement during early ownership sends signals to employees regardless of actual commitment.
5Part-time search is viable when matched to personal work style and constraints, using incremental weekly progress rather than full-time intensity.

Matched SBA Loan Records

SBA loan filings we matched to this deal

Cadence Bank95%

$13KP + 4.75%FY2013

VelocitySBA, LLC95%

$5KP + 3.99%FY2010

U.S. Bank, National Association95%

$6KP + 1.74%FY2012

The Deal

Business

The Print Authority

Industry

Commercial printing

State

Year

2023

Revenue at Purchase

$2.0M

Deal Source

broker

Financing Structure

Bank Loan

Buyer Equity

Strategic Rationale

Post-Acquisition Performance

Key Takeaways

1Account for working capital adjustments early in the deal process rather than discovering them late in negotiations.

2Bias toward action and sending LOIs quickly rather than waiting for perfect information, as LOI is non-binding and allows for real diligence.

3Choose businesses with problems you are uniquely equipped and willing to solve, treating weaknesses as strengths if they match your interests and capabilities.

4Manage stakeholder expectations during ownership transitions, recognizing that your absence or part-time involvement during early ownership sends signals to employees regardless of actual commitment.

5Part-time search is viable when matched to personal work style and constraints, using incremental weekly progress rather than full-time intensity.