Why Now Is the Right Time to Buy a Small Business
For years, the startup story dominated headlines. However, now, more small business owners are looking not to start from scratch, but to buy an existing company. In San Antonio and across Texas, this shift is creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs ready to take on ownership.
The Generational Wave
One major factor: demographics. Baby boomers own nearly half of all small businesses in the U.S., and many are preparing to retire. According to Project Equity, an estimated 70% of these businesses will change hands in the next decade. In Texas, that translates to thousands of firms, restaurants, service companies, retail shops, and professional practices, soon hitting the market.
For buyers, this generational turnover creates an opportunity to acquire businesses with existing customers, staff, and cash flow. Unlike launching a startup, buyers don’t have to spend years building from zero.
The opportunity has even sparked a national movement. Investors and operators like Cody Sanchez, often called the “queen of small business acquisition,” have popularized buying businesses as a path to wealth and community impact. Her model demonstrates what’s possible: everyday entrepreneurs can become owners by taking over firms that already work, then modernizing and growing them.
Financing is More Accessible
What lenders want to see isn’t just enthusiasm, they want evidence you’re ready to take over and run a business responsibly. Buyers need:
A clear plan for operating the business, how you’ll keep current customers, retain staff, and manage daily operations.
Financial projections that show you’ve stress-tested revenue and expenses, not just assumed everything stays the same.
Advisory relationships with CPAs, attorneys, and bankers who can vouch for your readiness.
But here’s the hard truth: bad credit or a lack of documented income can make financing harder. SBA loans, for example, still require lenders to check personal creditworthiness and repayment ability. For some would-be buyers, this is the biggest hurdle.
That doesn’t mean the door is closed. It means preparation is critical:
Clean up your personal credit now by paying down revolving debt, correcting reporting errors, avoiding late payments, or reaching out to the Universal Recovery Consultants.
Show alternative proof of income if your tax returns don’t reflect your full earning potential. Work with an advisor to highlight consistent cash flow or outside collateral.
Build lender trust early talk with bankers before you’re ready to buy. Establishing credibility makes it easier when the deal arrives.
Why Buying Beats Starting From Scratch
Cash Flow from Day One: Instead of waiting years for profitability, acquisitions often come with established revenue streams.
Trained Staff in Place: No need to recruit and train an entire team—you inherit the know-how already built.
Existing Customer Base: Buyers skip the steepest part of the customer acquisition curve.
Room to Innovate: Once inside, new owners can modernize operations, adopt digital tools, and expand markets.
How Emerge and Rise Helps
At Emerge and Rise, we’ve launched the Entrepreneurship by Acquisition program for individuals who are ready to buy a business within the next 12 months. Participants learn:
How to identify businesses that fit their budget and skills.
How to structure deals and evaluate financials.
What lenders and sellers expect before they agree to close.
How to transition smoothly into leadership while keeping customers and staff confident.
Unlike startup incubators, our focus is on people with the capital—or access to financing—who want to take the faster, more secure path to ownership.
Action Steps
Assess Your Readiness – Do you have funds set aside (as little as $15K) or access to capital? Are you prepared to manage people and operations?
Start Building Banking Relationships – Talk now with lenders like Texas Partners Bank or Woodforest National Bank, so they know your goals.
Explore Opportunities – Many businesses are never publicly listed. Networking and advisory connections open hidden deals.
Consider Training – Programs like our Entrepreneurship by Acquisition track can shorten your learning curve and connect you to sellers and lenders.
The Bottom Line
The wave of retiring owners, paired with accessible financing, makes 2025 one of the best times to buy a small business in Texas. For those ready to lead, the opportunity isn’t in starting from scratch—it’s in carrying forward businesses that already anchor local communities.
Ready to own, not just dream?
At Emerge and Rise, our Entrepreneurship by Acquisition program is designed for individuals who are serious about acquiring a business within the next 12 months. We help you prepare your plan, connect with trusted bankers, and understand every step of the deal. Don’t wait for the perfect listing to appear; get yourself ready now. -> Contact Us.
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