Training Programs

Business Buyer Advantage represents David Barnett's multi-tiered business acquisition education system, developed since 2009 by the author of the Amazon bestselling "Franchise Warnings" (2015). Barnett's comprehensive approach includes foundational education through YouTube content and books, online training with 15+ hours of content following a case study acquisition, group coaching with a 12-module preparation program, and individual consulting services including business appraisals and deal analysis. The program focuses on systematic deal evaluation, negotiation strategies, and building personalized acquisition processes for prospective small business buyers.

Acquisition Lab operates as a business acquisition training platform founded by Walker Deibel, author of "Buy Then Build" and serial entrepreneur who has acquired seven businesses. The program combines intensive four-week foundational training with ongoing advisory support and access to a vetted community of buyers. Priced at $10,000 for lifetime access, the platform has supported over 50 successful closings.

SMBootcamp provides hands-on business acquisition training through its flagship three-day intensive program in Tampa, Florida. Founded by Sam Rosati, a serial acquirer of over a dozen companies, the program combines real-world case studies with direct access to a curated "Deal Team" of SBA lenders, attorneys, and due diligence providers. The company offers multiple tiers from DIY essentials to intensive coaching, emphasizing practical application over theoretical knowledge.

Searcher School represents the educational venture of Jed Morris, a former Air Force veteran and Microsoft engineer who transitioned from a failed $1 million business acquisition experience into becoming an independent sponsor and acquisition coach. Morris, who leads Sunset Coast Partners (focused on defense contractor acquisitions), offers the "Start Searching Challenge" and comprehensive searcher education programs built around risk mitigation and realistic diligence practices learned from his own acquisition failure. Drawing from his painful experience of losing nearly $1 million on a landscaping business acquisition, Morris focuses on teaching acquisition entrepreneurs the hard truths about business buying while building a community of fellow acquisition professionals committed to transparent education about deal risks.

SMB Deal Hunter PRO is a premium coaching program for first-time business buyers with $50K+ liquid capital that promises to help acquire million-dollar businesses in 6-12 months. The program includes matching clients directly with pre-vetted lenders, vendors, and investors, and addresses how to find equity investors and structure deals with investor backing, though it appears to be primarily a buyer education and deal sourcing service rather than an active investor network for searchers seeking capital partners.

Acquira is an accelerator for acquisition entrepreneurs that provides training, systems, and guidance for business acquisitions, with the possibility of Acquira serving as an investor in participants' new businesses. They offer an "Acquisition In A Box" accelerator program that includes deal sourcing from their exclusive deal pool, better financing terms through vendor relationships, and access to their investment committee that reviews deals in a Shark Tank-style format, potentially providing both capital and operational support for qualified acquisition entrepreneurs who complete their selective screening process.

Business Buying Masterclass delivers an intensive coaching program led by instructor Elliott, claiming 75% of participants close deals within six months compared to a 90% failure rate among do-it-yourself buyers. The program centers on weekly one-on-one coaching sessions with Elliott covering deal evaluation, LOI crafting, negotiation strategy, and financing, supported by comprehensive templates and evaluation tools with lifetime access to materials. Offering a 30-day trial period, the program targets aspiring business owners seeking hands-on guidance through the acquisition process, with success stories including clients signing LOIs in as little as two weeks and completing acquisitions across manufacturing, landscaping, and service sectors.

Contrarian Thinking operates as a digital media company and education platform founded by Codie Sanchez, a former Wall Street professional (Goldman Sachs, State Street, Vanguard) turned private equity investor and journalist (Robert F. Kennedy Award winner). Through a weekly newsletter reaching over 700,000 subscribers and comprehensive educational programs, Sanchez teaches small business acquisition strategies focused on "boring businesses" under $10M EBITDA, while also running Contrarian Capital as a small business holding company. The platform combines free content with premium courses and community programs, positioning itself as an alternative wealth-building resource for individuals seeking financial independence through business ownership rather than traditional employment or stock market investing.