How to grow a business through acquisition  In this week’s episode of Business Buying Strategies, Jonathan speaks with BBC Apprentice winner and founder of the Millionaire Mastermind, Joseph Valente about the opportunity for business owners to rapidly double the size of their business through acquisition. In conversation in front of a room of ambitious entrepreneurs, Jonathan explained why 2024 is a year of opportunity for those business owners who want to grow, why it is better to buy a big business for your first deal and how to avoid the pitfalls experienced by many first-time dealmakers. If you’re a business owner and you’re frustrated or impatient for growth, you need to listen to this episode. Here are the key highlights: 00:51 - Jonathan’s accidental entry into the world of mergers and acquisitions 01:22 - How Jonathan had an epiphany when he sold his first business 02:14 - Why being the operator in a business is not the best way to get the result you want 02:27 - How to get a great deal when buying a competitor business 04:13 - Why you should never cut corners on your deal team (easily avoidable legal and due diligence issues are so much more expensive in the long run) 04:29 - Why the “Buy, Build and Sell” strategy is the fastest way to achieve your financial goals 04:47 How just one successful deal can transform your business – and your life 05:16 The 3 keep questions to ask when assessing any business acquisition 05:50 The benefits of buying a business similar to your current business 06:38 Why it is important you only buy businesses that can run without you (otherwise you’re buying an expensive job) 07:06 Why you need to follow a business buying strategy that doesn’t use any of your own funds 07:34 How our Mastermind clients have successfully purchased businesses using none of their own money 09:50 Why you need to have a good lawyer to keep a business buying deal moving 10:29 Jonathan’s top advice for anyone looking to start acquiring businesses 19:16 Why you must always be through in your due diligence when buying a business  30:54 Why it’s a good strategy to keep the previous owner on-side (it can get really messy if you don’t) 33:30 How Jonathan helps business owners to acquire the right businesses to grow Here is what you will discover… Why it is better to buy a £2.5m business for your first deal rather than a £250k business (as one of my Mastermind clients did) How to quickly assess whether a deal is worth pursuing by asking 3 key questions How to use the tactics of experienced M&A dealmakers to close your own acquisitions using none of your own funds Why your mindset is the biggest obstacle to acquiring a business (regardless of whether you’re experienced in business or completely new to it) The biggest mistakes made by first-time business buyers and how to avoid them (there are two that could prove fatal if you’re not ready) How the owner of the business can be your best source of deal financing How to fund your deal through the existing owner of a business Why you don’t need to worry about your personal credit rating or need to have available funds to buy your first business Why future dealmakers need to be ready ahead of January 2024 if they want to secure the best deals available Why you need to discover the seller’s “real” motivation for selling (and it’s usually nothing to do with money) ** Looking for a great acquisition lawyer in the UK? Use mine! ** If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal over the line, then use my own lawyer, John Andrews. You can phone his office at (0345) 2412494 or email him at [email protected]. Ready to get started? Here’s how you can start your business buying journey… Watch my FREE Dealmakers webinar training: https://www.dealmakerspodcast.com Get a FREE copy of my book: https://www.thedealmakersacademy.com/free-book-giveaway Join the Bu