👋What’s New
Learned three things this week:
You'll think you're ready to launch your app (RaffleLink 2.0) but in reality there's still dozens of bugs waiting to be uncovered but you still got to launch it anyways and get people using it
Launching is one milestone but migrating and onboarding new users seamlessly is a whole another new journey. Man this is tiring but it is a marathon, not a sprint
Months of Tik Tok posting has started to transpire into new opportunities in unexpected ways. Two people have reached out to me about seriously advising them in buying a small business and that same day a small business owner reached out about selling his privately. It might feel random but those months of Tik Tok posting planted the seeds for a larger surface area of luck!
Anyways, enough old-man wisdom from me - onto this week's deals!
💼 3 Businesses For Sale
1. Fine Jewelry eCommerce Brand (SBA Pre-Qualified)
16 years | 30K+ SKUs | $1,200 AOV | Made-to-order model
DTC jewelry brand specializing in engagement rings, wedding bands, and timepieces. Built on a capital-light made-to-order model with six US-based suppliers.
Why it's interesting:
SBA pre-qualified = 10% down, validated financials
Made-to-order = low inventory risk
232K email subscribers, 80K monthly visitors
$1,200 AOV with high-intent buyers (weddings, engagements)
Owner works ~10 hrs/week
The question: What's driving the sale after 16 years? And how dependent is the business on the current owner's supplier relationships?
Link: WebsiteClosers
2. Australian Outdoor Equipment DTC (Shopify)
9 years | $446K revenue | $86 AOV | 13% repeat rate
Established Shopify store selling hex pegs, straps, and outdoor camping accessories. Lean team with 3PL fulfillment.
Why it's interesting:
9 years of proven demand in a niche category
35K email subscribers, loyal repeat customers
3PL = no warehouse headaches
Australian-based = could be interesting for local ops or someone wanting to expand into APAC
The question: What's the competitive moat? Is it brand, SEO, or supplier exclusives?
Link: Flippa
3. Appliance Repair Business (SBA Pre-Approved)
21 years | $350K ask | $116K cash flow | 3.0x multiple
Established appliance repair and maintenance business in Cookeville, Tennessee. SBA pre-approved with 10% down.
Why it's interesting:
21 years = real staying power
Essential service — appliances always break
SBA ready = buyer-friendly financing
Ideal for exec who can manage a team of trained techs
Tennessee = lower cost of living, growing region
The question: How owner-dependent? What does tech retention look like?
Link: BizBuySell
💡 2 Insights This Week
1. The "Owner-Reliance Discount" Is Killing Valuations
One of the biggest valuation killers in SMB M&A right now: over-dependence on the owner.
Buyers are asking three questions:
Who really runs the business?
Will revenue survive the owner's exit?
Are systems and relationships documented?
The takeaway: The more replaceable the owner, the more valuable the business.
If you're building to sell, ask yourself: Could this run for 30 days without me? If the answer is no, you're leaving money on the table.
2. ETA Is Shifting to Mid-Career Corporate Refugees
Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition used to be dominated by fresh MBA grads. In 2026, that's changing.
A growing share of buyers are mid-career professionals (10-20 years experience) who are tired of corporate and want ownership. They bring:
Deeper operational experience
Industry networks
Clear sector focus
Regulatory knowledge
Investors are now screening for sector-specific expertise, not just financial acumen. If you're a corporate operator eyeing ETA, your industry knowledge is your biggest asset.
📖 1 Story
ChatGPT Can't Negotiate Your Deal
I'm advising a first-time buyer right now. She found a great deal — fits her background, right size, motivated seller. All the ingredients were there.
She drafted her first LOI using ChatGPT. Smart move, right? Save on legal fees, move fast.
The seller rejected it immediately.
When I looked at the LOI, I understood why. The structure was... strange. Unconventional earnout triggers. Weird payment timing. And the price came in way below market without any justification.
But worse — it completely missed the things that actually matter: IP transfer, transition plan, non-compete, training period. The stuff that protects you after the wire hits.
ChatGPT is incredibly smart. But it doesn't know what you don't know. It amplified her gaps instead of filling them.
We're now working on a revised proposal together. This time, we're leading with the structure that makes the seller feel comfortable, while building in the protections she actually needs.
The lesson: AI is a force multiplier — but it multiplies whatever you bring to the table. If you don't know what matters in a deal, ChatGPT won't either. Use it to draft, not to think.
See y’all next week,
@eddieacquires