By Richard Parker, President of The Business For Sale Buyer Resource Center™ and author of the most widely used reference resource and strategy guide for buying a business for sale - How To Buy A Good Business At A Great Price©

How To Buy The Right Business For You

According to industry statistics, over 90% of the people who begin the search to buy a business NEVER complete a purchase!

The only way that you'll avoid being a "90-Percenter" is by acquiring the right knowledge. Likewise, the only way to ensure that you will be successful in the business is to be absolutely certain that you buy the right one.

Don't be alarmed, most people have no clue what business is right for them. The number of businesses for sale can be daunting; the choice is enormous.

There are many proven steps that can help you determine what is the right business for you.

Develop YOUR Golden Rules:

Put together your list of five golden rules of what any business you buy MUST have in place. Think about this and be specific. Don't say: " I have to enjoy what I do"...sure that's important, very important in fact. However, if you're in a business that you initially think you're going to love, but you find yourself losing money, I can assure you that you'll learn to hate everyday very quickly!

As an example, here are my five golden rules for any business I consider buying:

These are my rules. Unbreakable. Non-negotiable - no matter what! Guess what? They are bulletproof. When I find a business with these in place, and there are plenty, I am always going to be successful. You can certainly follow mine, but I will also show you how to modify them to find the business that makes perfect sense for you.

I must admit that I do have a sixth and seventh rule, but they are negotiable: I like businesses that don't have a lot of employees and I prefer, if possible, to have a business where there are repeat orders from all clients. But again, I will sway from these two but never, ever from the other five.

Helpful hint: you probably won't come up with five today. Your list may even change a bit during your search. As you visit different businesses, speak with sellers, and conduct your research, you may discover certain things that are added or deleted from your list. That's OK. However, getting this list down pat as soon as possible is fundamental to your success!

"Whatever It Is That You Do Best..."

Next, get a true grip on your skills. Don't pretend to be something that you're not. The rule here is: "Whatever it is that you do best (sales, marketing, operations, manufacturing efficiencies, managing employees, customer service, selling to businesses/consumers.), must be the single most important driving factor of the revenue and profits of any business you consider purchasing". Repeat the last sentence once again; it holds the key to your success!

With business ownership, one of the main goals is for you to control your own destiny. Don't put yourself in a position where if one employee leaves, you're in big trouble. Your skills must be the fuel that drives the engine.

The right business for you is one that will thrive from your strengths and not suffer from your weaknesses. Take a long, hard look at yourself. Picture yourself in the business. Of paramount importance is that you must perceive yourself as enjoying the business. If you can't, then there's just no way that you can be successful. The business that you choose has to be one that you'll be proud to own.

Fall In Love With The Profit - NOT The Product!

Another key factor is to avoid falling in love with the product; rather, you must fall in love with the profit and the lifestyle that it can deliver to you. Many buyers begin to dream about all of the exciting things about the business and they become delusional about what can realistically be achieved. The product that the business sells, or the service that it offers, unless offensive in nature, is meaningless in the overall scheme. If the business does not produce the income you need, or provide you with a satisfactory return on your investment, then rest assured, you will learn to detest the product quickly.

Likewise, a bland, boring product line can become very attractive if the business is growing and you're enjoying the work.

Stay Focused - Don't Get Discouraged

During the search phase, it's easy to become discouraged by the vast number of available businesses. Don't get overwhelmed. Approach this methodically. If necessary, rule out the ones that you don't want. For example, if you're not interested in a gas station, restaurant or convenience store, you'll rule out 50% of all online listings. Search through listings paying attention to the profits, not just the asking price. Understand that listings do not always portray the whole picture. Send inquiries to the listed contact. Arrange meetings with sellers. Prepare the questions you need to ask. You cannot buy a business from a listing. Visit businesses. With each meeting you'll get closer to knowing what is and isn't right for you.

Above all, get into the game. Once you own the right business, you'll never look back!

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About the Author
Richard Parker is President of Diomo Corporation - The Business Buyer Resource Center ™ (www.diomo.com ) and Diomo Solutions, LLC (www.diomosolutions.com) He is the author of How To Buy A Good Business At A Great Price© a 600 plus page how to strategy guide geared for anyone thinking about buying a business. His materials are used by prospective business buyers in over 50 countries. Mr. Parker's articles, syndicated columns and other "how to" guides have been published extensively online and in various print media He is also one of the most successful business brokers in The United States, assisting both buyers and sellers. Mr. Parker has personally purchased ten small businesses since 1990. Email your comments to Richard or visit his website

This article is © Copyright 2005-2006 by Richard Parker and may not be reproduced in any format whatsoever without prior written consent of the author.

The recommendations of reading, reference materials or links mentioned, are for general informational purposes only. The materials are intended as a public service and are not a substitute for obtaining professional advice from a qualified firm, person or corporation. Consult the appropriate professional advisor for complete and up-to-the-minute information. These materials do not constitute the rendering of any legal or professional services.