Posted by Apptivo Business Advisory Team

In some cases, you may not have a business already in mind. You may have the willingness and ability to purchase an existing business, but are unsure where to find the right company to buy. If this is the case, first analyze the types of businesses you would like to own and why. Skills, experience and know-how in that industry are critical to being successful.

Then, after taking note of your interests, consider if you plan to invest in a stand-alone business or if you plan to purchase into a company, such as purchasing a franchise. Before deciding on either one, make sure to research the options thoroughly. Then, talk to area commercial brokers who can help you to find potential businesses on the market.

To start of your research you can start with researching the industry to understand if this is the industry which will give you the kind of growth opportunities that you desire. Once you understand the industry, it is important to research the location of the business to see if it makes. Researching the industry and the location are probably the easier tasks, the real issues start surfacing once you start to research the financial situation of the company and try to figure out the legal process involved.

Once you have completed this research, and if you find everything to be in order then you can go ahead and buy the new business. If you have some concerns, feel free to take some assistance from professionals specializing in these areas.