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Jim Stein Sharpe

Jim Stein Sharpe

Sharing about searching, searchers and running an SME. Always learning.

  • Most Recent Blog Post
  • Contemplating Search
  • Launching Search
  • Searching
  • Being a CEO
Contemplating Search

Searching as a Veteran

Jim Sharpe January 1, 2018 Searching as a Veteran2018-06-05T22:27:15-04:00 Contemplating Search
Military veterans have recognized that search is one of the ways they can utilize their leadership skills and fulfill their dreams to be an entrepreneur.  The Post-911 GI Bill, plus the Yellow Ribbon Program, significantly…
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Contemplating Search

Searching as a Woman

Jim Sharpe December 1, 2017 Searching as a Woman2018-07-02T06:40:59-04:00 Contemplating Search
In the past couple of years, the number of searchers who are women has grown rapidly.  Many are finding search as an attractive alternative to attaining independence and autonomy either right after getting their MBA,…
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Contemplating Search

Searching as a Couple

Jim Sharpe February 2, 2021 Searching as a Couple2022-05-09T12:00:10-04:00 Contemplating Search
Husband-and-wife teams searching for, purchasing and then running a business, is a special variation on selecting a partner for a search.  Searching with a partner (See Blog Post: Searching with a Partner, or not!) is…
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Contemplating Search

Your significant other

Jim Sharpe February 8, 2016 Your significant other2019-04-21T16:54:48-04:00 Contemplating Search
The support you receive during your search will come not just from your investors, other searchers, personal friends, and advisors, but also from the "significant other" in your life, whether that be your spouse if…
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Contemplating Search

Wearing the coat

Jim Sharpe August 8, 2016 Wearing the coat2016-09-19T16:00:43-04:00 Contemplating Search
Being a CEO early in your career is the most significant benefit of the search process. However, the reality of taking over the reins of an established business may not live up to your imagined…
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Contemplating Search

Compensation

Jim Sharpe May 5, 2017 Compensation2017-07-10T10:16:04-04:00 Contemplating Search
During your search, and once you are operating the business you have purchased, you should be "reasonably" compensated for your efforts. Certainly, not at the highest level of your friends in other careers, but enough…
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Contemplating Search

Cost of searching

Jim Sharpe November 1, 2016 Cost of searching2022-02-07T14:40:12-05:00 Contemplating Search
Latest Revision: February 7, 2022 One of the key decisions in buying a business is how to pay your bills while you are searching for it. You will have search expenses, living expenses and perhaps…
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Contemplating Search

Blog Purpose and Objectives

Jim Sharpe May 9, 2018 Blog Purpose and Objectives2022-02-07T11:40:16-05:00 Contemplating Search
Having "searched" for my own business to purchase over 30 years ago and as an investor in and mentor for many searchers, I am regularly asked for my opinion and advice. I decided to wind…
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Launching Search

Selecting your search name

Jim Sharpe November 3, 2020 Selecting your search name2020-11-06T21:05:43-05:00 Launching Search
Many searchers inadvertently turn-off potential sellers by choosing a name for their search firm that fails the test of being “seller friendly”. The code words that make your firm impressive to investors are often the…
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Launching Search

Building your search website

Jim Sharpe November 11, 2014 Building your search website2021-03-09T18:05:00-05:00 Launching Search
To a potential seller, your website is a critical early impression.  Later in the process, their employees will look to the website to learn about you.  A simple, uncluttered site free of distracting features allows…
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Posts – Most Recent

  • Learning About Search

  • Roll Up Strategies

  • Buying a Franchise

  • Managing a Blue-Collar Workforce

Posts – Contemplating a Search

  • Learning About Search

  • Why Search? Is it right for you?

  • When to Search?

  • Where to search from?

  • Searching Internationally

  • International Searchers Inside the USA

  • Choosing a search partner – or not!

  • Funding the Search

  • Searching Mid-Career

  • Searching as a Veteran

  • Searching as a Woman

  • Searching as a Couple

  • Your significant other

  • Wearing the coat

  • Compensation

  • Cost of searching

  • Blog Purpose and Objectives

Posts – Launching a Search

  • Selecting your search name

  • Building your search website

  • Searcher Identity

  • Preparing your search brochure

  • Searching with Interns

Posts – Conducting your Search

  • Roll Up Strategies

  • Seller Profile

  • Establishing seller trust

  • Company Profile

  • Buying a Franchise

  • Proprietary Prospecting

  • Brokers & Intermediaries

  • Making Offers

  • Working Capital

  • Bank Financing

  • Seller Financing

  • Raising Equity Capital

  • Due Diligence

  • Quality of Earnings

  • Customer Concentration

  • When your LOI falls apart

  • Getting to Closing

  • Why deals fall apart

  • Managing Professional Support

  • Searching Efficiently

  • Reaching out for help

  • Reporting on search progress

  • What to expect while searching

  • Practice and Repetition

  • When to stop searching

  • Life after winding down search

Posts – Being CEO/Owner

  • Taking Over the Business

  • Seller After Closing

  • Early Years as Searcher/CEO

  • Board of Directors

  • Communicating with Employees

  • Selecting your direct reports

  • Managing a Blue-Collar Workforce

  • IT Systems

  • Wearing your sales hat

  • Knowing your competition

  • Growing Revenue

  • Pricing for Value

  • Sharing profits, not equity

  • Developing an Accountability Culture

  • Strategic Partnerships

  • Downsizing your business

  • Exit and/or Recapitalization

Random Quote

26-Seeking out industry focused lenders will yield bankers who are familiar with the business and extend better terms on loans. They will be valuable in helping you understand what to watch out for by setting specific covenants.(See Blog Post-Bank Financing)

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