...First question is what kind of financial planner/lawyer/CPA can I talk to about the pros and cons of buying the business? I'd like to talk to ONE person who has enough expertise in the relevant areas without having to bounce around between a lawyer, a CPA and a financial planner. (I'm in the San Francisco area if you have specific suggestions)

As for the open-ended question, I'm looking for advice if buying a business is a sane investment. My preliminary math seems to suggest that if the store continues to do as it has in the past, after about 10 years it would be better than investing at a 10% interest rate. ... - jumpie | Date: 6/2/2012 2:54:24 AM | Number: 15281


Buying and owning a Business or part of a Business is: 1. A Big Responsibility to your customers, employees, and for yourself. 2. Very risky, especially if you pay too much for your business ownership.

When I buy a business or an interest in a business I generally like to pay in the range of 1.5 - 2.5 EBITDA. Free business consulting is available through SCORE. The National SCORE web-site is here: http://www.SCORE.org. SCORE formerly Service Corps of Retired Executives is a loosly affiliated partner with the Small Business Administration. Have been a SCORE Counselor since January 1997 -- two years after I first retired.

SCORE has a general publication titled How to Buy or Sell a Business -- a MUST read before acting to buy or sell.

Kahuna, CFA

Kahuna, CFA