Business Buying for Financial Independence

Tim T. Delaney, Business Buying Content Creator
  • 4.8 (24)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Weekly

Are you tired of the 9-5 grind and looking for a path to financial independence? Welcome to Business Buying for Financial Independence, the podcast that helps aspiring entrepreneurs escape the rat race by acquiring a small business. Hosted by Tim Delaney, an experienced business buyer and real estate investor who purchased his first business with just 10% down, this show dives deep into the strategies, challenges, and success stories of real people who built wealth through business acquisition. Each episode features Tim's personal experiences or insightful interviews with business buyers, investors, and industry experts who share their knowledge on acquiring, financing, and growing small businesses. Whether you're exploring SBA loans, seller financing, business brokers, deal sourcing, due diligence, or post-acquisition growth strategies, this podcast is your essential guide for entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA). If you're ready to own your time, build wealth, and achieve financial freedom by buying an established business instead of starting from scratch, hit subscribe and begin your journey today! How Do I buy a business? How do I buy a business with no money? Can you buy a business with no money? What to do to buy a business? How do I finance a business purchase? Why buy a business? Why buy a small business? What is the business buying process? What is the process of buying a business? How to achieve financial freedom? How to achieve financial independence? How do you achieve financial independence through buying a business? How do I buy a business to achieve financial independence? How do I buy a business to attain financial freedom? What is a unique way to reach financial independence? How do I buy a business to reach FIRE?

  1. 4d ago ·  Video

    Buying a Business? 3 Things to Check Before Closing | Ep. 71

    Buying a business comes with challenges you may not anticipate, even after months of preparation and due diligence. In this episode, Tim T. Delaney shares three lessons from his first few weeks as the new owner of a wine and liquor store, including unexpected supplier price increases, vendor account complications, and employee scheduling concerns. Tim explains how a sudden increase in the price of Jack Daniels created a difficult situation with customers, how the previous owners' outstanding vendor bills nearly disrupted his new business's cash flow, and why maintaining familiar employee schedules helped ease the transition. These experiences highlight the importance of looking beyond the purchase price and financial statements when acquiring a business. From understanding supplier relationships and outstanding liabilities to preserving established employee routines, Tim shares practical steps buyers can take before closing to avoid unnecessary surprises and set themselves up for a smoother transition. Whether you're preparing to acquire your first business or looking for ways to improve your acquisition process, this episode offers valuable lessons on due diligence, transition planning, and managing the details that matter after closing. About Tim T. Delaney Tim T. Delaney is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should explore the opportunities that business and real estate can provide on the path to financial freedom. He owns and operates a wine & liquor store, a software startup, a consulting company, and a growing portfolio of commercial and residential real estate. Tim's passion for independent business has led him to support dozens of other business owners. For over a decade, he has worked with businesses on strategy, processes, finances, and marketing. These experiences, along with analyzing dozens of other businesses for potential acquisition, have provided Tim with an immense knowledge base to pull from. Tim has appeared on multiple top-tier podcasts in the financial space, such as Bigger Pockets Money and The Freedom Chasers Podcast. Episode Chapters [00:00 – 02:17] The First-Day Surprise: Unexpected Supplier Price Increases [02:17 – 05:22] What to Check About Vendor Pricing Before Closing [05:45 – 08:55] Vendor Accounts, Outstanding Bills, and Cash-on-Delivery Problems [08:55 – 11:04] How the Seller's Outstanding Liabilities Can Affect a New Owner [11:22 – 13:33] The Employee Scheduling Mistake [13:33 – 15:15] Why Consistency Matters During a Business Transition [15:15 – 16:46] Three Lessons for a Smoother Business Acquisition [16:46 – 17:11] Share Your Experience and Stay Connected If you found value in today's show, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode packed with insights to help you buy and grow a business that creates real financial freedom. Connect with Tim and the community: Website: https://www.powerofbiz.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@powerofbiz Instagram: @timtdelaney Threads: https://www.threads.com/@timtdelaney LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/timothytdelaney Facebook: https://facebook.com/timtdelaney Tweetable Quotes: "Even though it was an asset sale and I was technically not on the hook for any of the seller's liabilities, some of their liabilities could have still caused a problem for me." — Tim T. Delaney "Most people don't like change. They're nervous." — Tim T. Delaney "The overall lesson from these three stories is to really ask a lot of questions and really get to know the inner workings of the business prior to closing." — Tim T. Delaney

    Buying a Business? 3 Things to Check Before Closing | Ep. 71

  2. Oct 20 ·  Video

    The Risk of Staying in Your Job: 4 Costs Nobody Counts | Ep. 70

    In this episode, Tim challenges the assumption that staying in the same job, career, or situation is automatically safer than making a change. He shares examples of experienced professionals who were laid off despite years of loyalty and strong performance, then struggled to find comparable work afterward. The goal is not to argue that everyone should immediately quit their job. It is to recognize that standing still has a cost too. Whether it is a job, a city, a career path, or another commitment that no longer makes sense, Tim encourages listeners to evaluate the risks of staying with the same seriousness they would evaluate the risks of moving forward.  Tim T. Delaney is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should explore the opportunities that business and real estate can provide on the path to financial freedom. He owns and operates a wine & liquor store, a software startup, a consulting company, and a growing portfolio of commercial and residential real estate. Tim's passion for independent business has led him to support dozens of other business owners. For over a decade, he has worked with businesses on strategy, processes, finances, and marketing. These experiences, along with analyzing dozens of other businesses for potential acquisition, have provided Tim with an immense knowledge base to pull from. Tim has appeared on multiple top-tier podcasts in the financial space, such as Bigger Pockets Money and The Freedom Chasers Podcast.   [00:00 – 01:10] The Hidden Risk of Staying Put [01:10 – 02:13] Why We Analyze Change but Ignore Staying Still [02:13 – 03:41] Risk #1: Layoffs and False Job Security [03:41 – 05:34] Risk #2: Your Job Can Change Without You [05:34 – 06:59] Risk #3: The Time You Can't Get Back [06:59 – 08:14] Risk #4: Getting Trapped by Your Career Identity [08:14 – 08:55] Standing Still Has a Price Too [08:55 – 09:22] What Are You Calling "Safe"?   If you found value in today's show, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode packed with insights to help you buy and grow a business that creates real financial freedom.   Connect with Tim and the community: Website:     https://www.powerofbiz.com YouTube:    https://www.youtube.com/@powerofbiz Instagram:   @timtdelaney Threads:      https://www.threads.com/@timtdelaney LinkedIn:      linkedin.com/in/timothytdelaney Facebook:    facebook.com/timtdelaney   Tweetable Quotes: "The company doesn't owe you anything beyond what they've already paid you."  — Tim T. Delaney "That time you're giving to your current situation, you're never able to get back."   — Tim T. Delaney "Standing still and staying put has a price as well."  — Tim T. Delaney

  3. Oct 13 ·  Video

    Buying a Family Business: 1x Earnings, Then a -$80K Month | Ep. 69

    Daniella Devine went from working inside her family's third-generation flooring company to leaving the business, building a career in commercial real estate, and ultimately returning to buy the company from her father. In this episode, Tim and Daniella unpack what that acquisition actually looked like behind the scenes, including the emotional side of buying from a longtime owner, negotiating with family, inheriting relationships that did not always survive the transition, and discovering that a decades-old business still needed to be rebuilt operationally.  Tim T. Delaney is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should explore the opportunities that business and real estate can provide on the path to financial freedom. He owns and operates a wine & liquor store, a software startup, a consulting company, and a growing portfolio of commercial and residential real estate. Tim's passion for independent business has led him to support dozens of other business owners. For over a decade, he has worked with businesses on strategy, processes, finances, and marketing. These experiences, along with analyzing dozens of other businesses for potential acquisition, have provided Tim with an immense knowledge base to pull from. Tim has appeared on multiple top-tier podcasts in the financial space, such as Bigger Pockets Money and The Freedom Chasers Podcast. [00:00 – 02:44] Daniella Devine and Buying a "Heart Asset" [02:44 – 08:26] Buying the Third-Generation Family Business [08:26 – 15:24] From Flooring Retail to Commercial Contracts [15:24 – 21:40] Family Succession and the Emotional Side of Selling [21:40 – 28:08] Seller Trust, Financing, and Understanding the Owner [28:08 – 36:20] Leaving the Family Business and Finding Her Way Back [36:20 – 46:20] Relationships, Working Capital, and Acquisition Mistakes [46:20 – 51:56] Expensive Debt, the Failed SBA Takeout, and the Turnaround [51:56 – 59:20] Masterminds, Strategic Planning, and Using AI in Operations [59:20 – 01:04:20] Pairing Business Income With Commercial Real Estate Guest Bio Daniella Devine is an entrepreneur and operational strategist who serves as president and CEO of her family's commercial flooring company. After years working inside the third-generation business, Daniella moved into commercial real estate before eventually returning to acquire the company from her father.    Connect with Daniella: Instagram:        instagram.com/thedanielladevine/  Website:           thedanielladevine.com    Connect with Tim and the community on social media for more tips and updates:   Website:     https://www.powerofbiz.com YouTube:    https://www.youtube.com/@powerofbiz Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/timtdelaney/ Threads:    https://www.threads.com/@timtdelaney LinkedIn:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothytdelaney/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timtdelaney   Tweetable Quotes "This is not a hard asset. It's a heart asset." — Daniella Devine  "Buy slow, operate fast." — Daniella Devine  "When both people are uncomfortable and close, it's a good deal because both had to compromise." — Daniella Devine

  4. Oct 6 ·  Video

    Distressed Seller vs Distressed Business: Buy the First One | Ep. 68

    In this episode, Tim breaks down an important distinction for business buyers: a distressed seller is not the same thing as a distressed business. A seller may simply be burned out, approaching retirement, dealing with changing priorities, or lacking a succession plan, while the underlying business remains profitable and healthy. Tim explains why those situations can create strong acquisition opportunities when the buyer focuses on a fair, ethical, win-win transition rather than trying to exploit the seller's circumstances. He also shares examples from his own liquor store acquisition and discusses how seller motivation can influence price, terms, and transition timelines. Tim T. Delaney is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should explore the opportunities that business and real estate can provide on the path to financial freedom. He owns and operates a wine & liquor store, a software startup, a consulting company, and a growing portfolio of commercial and residential real estate. Tim's passion for independent business has led him to support dozens of other business owners. For over a decade, he has worked with businesses on strategy, processes, finances, and marketing. These experiences, along with analyzing dozens of other businesses for potential acquisition, have provided Tim with an immense knowledge base to pull from. Tim has appeared on multiple top-tier podcasts in the financial space, such as Bigger Pockets Money and The Freedom Chasers Podcast.   00:00 – Distressed Seller vs. Distressed Business 00:36 – What Makes a Seller Distressed? 01:40 – What Makes a Business Distressed? 02:10 – Why the Difference Matters 04:00 – Finding an Ethical Win-Win Deal 05:11 – Understanding the Seller's Motivation 05:47 – Burnout, Retirement, and Succession Planning 07:26 – Signs of a Distressed Business 08:40 – Gross Profit and Increasing Debt 10:22 – Why Distressed Businesses Are Risky for First-Time Buyers 11:39 – Ethical Acquisitions and the Ripple Effect 12:39 – The Best Type of Distressed Deal   If you found value in today's show, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode packed with insights to help you buy and grow a business that creates real financial freedom.   Connect with Tim and the community: Website: https://www.powerofbiz.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@powerofbiz Instagram: @timtdelaney Threads: https://www.threads.com/@timtdelaney LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timothytdelaney Facebook: facebook.com/timtdelaney   Tweetable Quotes: "Distressed sellers are not the same as distressed businesses."  — Tim T. Delaney "There are millions of small business owners out there that have no idea what they're going to do with their business when they're ready to retire."   — Tim T. Delaney "Distressed sellers with healthy businesses create the best win-win deals." — Tim T. Delaney

  5. Sep 29 ·  Video

    Buying a Restaurant at 23: Two Bars, Bankrupt at 28 | Ep. 67

    Tom Larsen has spent decades building businesses, learning from mistakes, and turning those lessons into a long-running insurance career. In this episode, Tim and Tom walk through how Tom bought his first restaurant in his early twenties, used creative financing and seller notes to get deals done, expanded too quickly into a second restaurant, and ultimately filed for bankruptcy. Tom explains why the first business worked while the second struggled from the start, how bankruptcy reshaped the way he thinks about credit and risk, and how he later rebuilt his career by betting on himself, developing a niche, and building relationships without relying on pushy sales tactics. Tim T. Delaney is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should explore the opportunities that business and real estate can provide on the path to financial freedom. He owns and operates a wine & liquor store, a software startup, a consulting company, and a growing portfolio of commercial and residential real estate. Tim's passion for independent business has led him to support dozens of other business owners. For over a decade, he has worked with businesses on strategy, processes, finances, and marketing. These experiences, along with analyzing dozens of other businesses for potential acquisition, have provided Tim with an immense knowledge base to pull from. Tim has appeared on multiple top-tier podcasts in the financial space, such as Bigger Pockets Money and The Freedom Chasers Podcast. [00:00 – 01:17] Tom Larsen's Business Story and the Cost of Starting From Scratch [01:17 – 07:42] Buying a Building, Seller Financing, and Starting an Insurance Agency [07:42 – 17:44] Buying a Duplex and a Restaurant in His Early Twenties [17:44 – 22:25] The Second Restaurant, Bankruptcy, and Rebuilding Credit [22:25 – 29:20] Lessons From Failure and Returning to the Insurance Business [29:20 – 35:21] Commission-Only Sales, Multiple Income Streams, and Starting Over [35:21 – 43:42] Entrepreneur Groups, Masterminds, and Lifelong Learning [43:42 – 50:21] Cyber Coverage, Workers' Comp, Umbrella Policies, and Insurance Due Diligence [50:21 – 56:44] Helping Instead of Selling and Staying Top of Mind Guest Bio Tom Larsen is the owner of Larsen Insurance Agency and has worked in the insurance industry for more than three decades. Before starting his own agency, Tom owned restaurants and invested in real estate, experiences that gave him firsthand lessons in entrepreneurship, financing, risk, bankruptcy, and rebuilding. Today, he continues to operate his insurance agency, participate in entrepreneur and real estate communities, and share practical advice drawn from decades of business experience.    Connect with Tom:   Instagram:        instagram.com/the_insurance716/ Facebook:         facebook.com/tom.larsen.9066/ LinkedIn:           linkedin.com/in/larseninsurance/   Connect with Tim and the community on social media for more tips and updates:   Website:        https://www.powerofbiz.com YouTube:       https://www.youtube.com/@powerofbiz Instagram      https://www.instagram.com/timtdelaney/ Threads         https://www.threads.com/@timtdelaney LinkedIn:        https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothytdelaney/ Facebook:       https://www.facebook.com/timtdelaney   Tweetable Quotes "You never know until you ask." — Tom Larsen  "I believe learning never ends." — Tom Larsen  "When you're truthful with people, it ends up coming back to you." — Tom Larsen

  6. Sep 22 ·  Video

    How to Prepare to Buy a Business: My Year Before Buying | Ep. 66

    In this solo episode Tim walks through the year leading up to his first business acquisition. He shares what life looked like before buying the store, why his remote job felt like it had a shelf life, how his savings were being depleted, and why he eventually shifted from "this would be nice to do" to "this is what we're going to do."  Tim T. Delaney is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should explore the opportunities that business and real estate can provide on the path to financial freedom. He owns and operates a wine & liquor store, a software startup, a consulting company, and a growing portfolio of commercial and residential real estate. Tim's passion for independent business has led him to support dozens of other business owners. For over a decade, he has worked with businesses on strategy, processes, finances, and marketing. These experiences, along with analyzing dozens of other businesses for potential acquisition, have provided Tim with an immense knowledge base to pull from. Tim has appeared on multiple top-tier podcasts in the financial space, such as Bigger Pockets Money and The Freedom Chasers Podcast.   00:00 – The Year Before the Deal 01:10 – Life Before Buying the Store 02:37 – Rethinking Business Ownership 03:21 – The Job Had a Shelf Life 04:24 – Savings and the Ticking Clock 05:48 – Searching for a Business 07:26 – Getting Ready to Be Ready 09:15 – The Liquor Store Opportunity 10:28 – Setting a Deadline 12:00 – Accountability and Taking Action    If you found value in today's show, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode packed with insights to help you buy and grow a business that creates real financial freedom.   Connect with Tim and the community: Website: https://www.powerofbiz.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@powerofbiz Instagram: @timtdelaney Threads: https://www.threads.com/@timtdelaney LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timothytdelaney Facebook: facebook.com/timtdelaney   Tweetable Quotes: "We weren't necessarily ready to buy the wine and liquor store, but we were ready to be ready."  — Tim T. Delaney "There was a real ticking time bomb that I needed to pull the trigger on before we had not enough money to do this."  — Tim T, Delaney "Make sure you set some goals, some accountability, and some deadlines for yourself."  - Tim Delaney

  7. Sep 15 ·  Video

    How to Buy an Existing Business: 9 Deals in 12 Months | Ep. 65

    Anthony Lawson built his path from real estate investor to group home operator and debt fund leader by focusing on a niche most buyers overlook: group homes with government-backed contracts and healthcare-related operations. In this episode, Tim and Anthony walk through how Anthony went from buying a six-bedroom single-family home, learning the group home model from scratch, and creating housing for veterans, to acquiring existing facilities with staff, licenses, contracts, and real estate already in place.  Tim is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should explore the opportunities that business and real estate can provide on the path to financial freedom. He owns and operates a wine & liquor store, a software startup, a consulting company, and a growing portfolio of commercial and residential real estate. Tim's passion for independent business has led him to support dozens of other business owners. For over a decade, he has worked with businesses on strategy, processes, finances, and marketing. These experiences, along with analyzing dozens of other businesses for potential acquisition, have provided Tim with an immense knowledge base to pull from. Tim has appeared on multiple top-tier podcasts in the financial space, such as Bigger Pockets Money and The Freedom Chasers Podcast. [00:00 – 01:49] Anthony Lawson and the Debt Fund Mission [01:49 – 06:07] Turning a First Property Into Veteran Housing [06:07 – 09:24] OpCo/PropCo and Operating Group Homes [09:24 – 17:50] Creative Scaling, Seller Calls, and Rental Arbitrage [17:50 – 23:00] Seller Financing and Partnership Structure [23:00 – 29:07] Halfway Houses, Nonprofits, and Buying Existing Facilities [29:07 – 45:08] The First Existing Group Home Acquisition [45:08 – 52:23] Systems, Speed, and Building the Debt Fund [52:23 – 01:05:00] Debt vs. Equity, Investor Protection, and Final Advice Guest Bio Anthony Lawson is a seasoned real estate investor with more than 10 years of experience and a former United States Army veteran. He leads a debt fund focused on delivering fixed returns to investors by acquiring group homes with government contracts and healthcare businesses.    Connect with Anthony:   Instagram:     instagram.com/anthony_theinvestor/ Facebook:     facebook.com/anthony.lawson.90829 Website:       www.globalinvestmentcapitalgroup.com LinkedIn:       linkedin.com/in/anthony-lawson-a2b924163 Connect with Tim and the community on social media for more tips and updates:   Website: https://www.powerofbiz.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@powerofbiz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timtdelaney/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@timtdelaney LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothytdelaney/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timtdelaney   Tweetable Quotes "If you feel like you don't know enough, it's okay."  — Anthony Lawson "When you buy something long distance, it forces you to create a system."  — Anthony Lawson "If you're using other people's money, make sure you're talking to the right professionals."  — Anthony Lawson

  8. Sep 8 ·  Video

    How to Fund a Business Down Payment in 24 Hours | Ep. 64

    In this episode, Chris Larsen discusses why real estate should be viewed like a business, especially when it comes to controlling purchase price, increasing income, understanding net operating income, and using tax advantages strategically. Chris shares how his early experience house hacking a townhouse helped shape the way he thinks about assets, liabilities, and using income-producing property to create more freedom.  The conversation also covers Chris's "family bank" strategy, where cash value life insurance policies created liquidity that could be used to fund a car wash down payment. Chris explains how the policy loan gave him access to hundreds of thousands of dollars within 24 hours, and how the car wash then paid that loan back with interest and profit.  Tim is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should explore the opportunities that business and real estate can provide on the path to financial freedom. He owns and operates a wine & liquor store, a software startup, a consulting company, and a growing portfolio of commercial and residential real estate. Tim's passion for independent business has led him to support dozens of other business owners. For over a decade, he has worked with businesses on strategy, processes, finances, and marketing. These experiences, along with analyzing dozens of other businesses for potential acquisition, have provided Tim with an immense knowledge base to pull from. Tim has appeared on multiple top-tier podcasts in the financial space, such as Bigger Pockets Money and The Freedom Chasers Podcast. [00:00 – 01:49] Using a Family Bank to Buy a Car Wash [01:49 – 06:47] Chris's Background and Real Estate Mindset [06:47 – 12:16] House Hacking, Assets, and Financial Independence [12:16 – 18:15] Buying Car Washes and Evaluating Deals [18:15 – 24:40] Underwriting, AI, and Discounted Opportunities [24:40 – 29:47] Car Washes, Equipment, and Tax Advantages [29:47 – 34:07] Business Ownership, Real Estate, and Tax Strategy [34:07 – 37:19] Policy Loans, Liquidity, and the Family Bank [37:19 – 44:45] Entity Structure, Roll-Ups, and Thinking Bigger Guest Bio Chris Larsen is the founder and principal of Next Level Income. He has been investing in and managing real estate for more than 20 years, beginning with his first rental property at age 21. Since then, Chris has expanded into development, private lending, distressed debt, commercial offices, commercial real estate syndications, and active business ownership.    Connect with Chris:   YouTube:      @thenextlevelincomeshow Website:        www.nextlevelincome.com Book :            NextLevelIncome.com/financialfreedombook  Connect with Tim and the community on social media for more tips and updates:   Website: https://www.powerofbiz.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@powerofbiz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timtdelaney/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@timtdelaney LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothytdelaney/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timtdelaney   Tweetable Quotes "Seek to own assets and rent liabilities."   — Chris Larsen "Get really clear on what you want before you start looking at deals."   — Chris Larsen "If you don't have the strength to operate the business, partner with somebody who does."   — Chris Larsen

See All (71)

4.8
out of 5
24 Ratings

About

Are you tired of the 9-5 grind and looking for a path to financial independence? Welcome to Business Buying for Financial Independence, the podcast that helps aspiring entrepreneurs escape the rat race by acquiring a small business. Hosted by Tim Delaney, an experienced business buyer and real estate investor who purchased his first business with just 10% down, this show dives deep into the strategies, challenges, and success stories of real people who built wealth through business acquisition. Each episode features Tim's personal experiences or insightful interviews with business buyers, investors, and industry experts who share their knowledge on acquiring, financing, and growing small businesses. Whether you're exploring SBA loans, seller financing, business brokers, deal sourcing, due diligence, or post-acquisition growth strategies, this podcast is your essential guide for entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA). If you're ready to own your time, build wealth, and achieve financial freedom by buying an established business instead of starting from scratch, hit subscribe and begin your journey today! How Do I buy a business? How do I buy a business with no money? Can you buy a business with no money? What to do to buy a business? How do I finance a business purchase? Why buy a business? Why buy a small business? What is the business buying process? What is the process of buying a business? How to achieve financial freedom? How to achieve financial independence? How do you achieve financial independence through buying a business? How do I buy a business to achieve financial independence? How do I buy a business to attain financial freedom? What is a unique way to reach financial independence? How do I buy a business to reach FIRE?

Information

You Might Also Like