In this episode of The 7-Minute Takeover, we break down one of the most misunderstood parts of buying a business: the exclusivity period.An exclusivity period is a commitment from the seller — usually agreed to under a Letter of Intent (LOI) — to stop marketing the business, entertaining other offers, or sharing information with other buyers. For buyers, it creates certainty. For sellers, it can feel risky.In this episode, we cover:• What an exclusivity period actually is• Why exclusivity is critical for buyers during due diligence• Common seller objections and where those fears come from• How long exclusivity periods should last (and when shorter timelines make sense)• Using milestones and extensions to protect both sides• How buyers can build trust — including deposits and good-faith commitmentsWe also discuss how exclusivity protects buyers from spending significant hard dollars on legal, accounting, and financing costs without certainty, and how structuring exclusivity properly can turn a potential “lose-lose” into a deal that moves forward.Whether you’re buying a business or preparing to sell one, understanding exclusivity periods can make the difference between a deal that falls apart and one that closes successfully.🎧 Listen to The 7-Minute Takeover on your favourite podcast platform📺 Watch the full episode here on YouTube___________________________________________________________________________Village Wellth is where entrepreneurs go to buy and own businesses the smarter way. Buying a business is complex, and doing it alone makes it harder than it needs to be. Village Wellth exists to give buyers clarity, tools, and expert advisor guidance at every stage of the acquisition journey.From finding quality listings and understanding deal structures to navigating due diligence, financing, and seller relationships, we help buyers make better decisions and avoid costly mistakes that save them not only money but time too. Buying a business takes a village, let us be your Village. #BuyingABusiness #BusinessAcquisition #EntrepreneurMindset #VillageWellth

In today’s acquisition market, standing out as a buyer matters more than ever.Brokers and sellers are fielding more inquiries — and the buyers who get attention are the ones who are prepared. In this episode of The 7-Minute Takeover, we break down the core materials serious buyers use to differentiate themselves, build credibility, and make it easier for brokers to send them deals.We will cover:✔️ Why buying a business requires personal branding (even if it feels uncomfortable)✔️ The key assets brokers expect to see from motivated buyers✔️ What to include in a buyer bio and search criteriaIf you’re actively searching — or planning to — this episode will help you approach the market with more clarity and confidence._______________________________________________________________Ready to buy a business the smart way? Get the tools, listings, and support you need at www.villagewellth.com And don’t forget:👍 Like🔔 Subscribe👉 Follow us on our socials for more acquisition insightsWant more than just content? Follow us on all your favourite platforms: INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/villagewellth/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@villagewellth.com LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/villagewellth/posts/?feedView=all

Buying a business is NOT like buying real estate.In real estate, your relationship with the seller ends at the closing table.In business acquisitions? The relationship is everything.In this episode of The 7-Minute Takeover, we break down the misconception that the seller relationship doesn’t matter in ETA, and show why trust, rapport, and communication are the backbone of a successful transaction.Here’s what we unpack:✔️ Why business acquisitions are deeply personal✔️ How the seller relationship impacts training, transition, and post-close success✔️ Why misunderstandings blow up deals when there’s no trust✔️ The invisible “life of the relationship” that continues after closing✔️ How to build rapport BEFORE and AFTER the LOI✔️ How brokers fit into the communication dynamic✔️ What to actually do during diligence (cadence, calls, expectations)Deals fail because relationships break down.If you’re buying a business, you can’t just analyze the P&L. You need to build trust with the person who built the business.___________________________________________________________________________Get the tools, listings, and support you need to buy a business at www.villagewellth.com And don’t forget:👍 Like🔔 Subscribe👉 Follow us on our socials for more acquisition insightsWant more than just content? Follow us on all your favourite platforms: INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/villagewellth/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@villagewellth.com LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/villagewellth/posts/?feedView=all

It’s one of the biggest fears buyers have when acquiring a business...that the seller will vanish on Day 1, leaving no training, no transition, and a massive learning curve.In this video, we break down where that fear comes from, why the myth exists, and what actually happens in most small-business acquisitions. You’ll learn the three types of sellers you’re likely to encounter, what a normal transition period looks like, and how to legally protect yourself from a seller who wants to exit quickly.We cover:✔️ Why most sellers don’t disappear and genuinely care about a smooth transition✔️ The 3 types of sellers: helpful, available, and immediate exit✔️ What a 6–12 week transition usually includes✔️ How compensation, subcontractor agreements, and earnouts play into post-closing support✔️ How buyers can protect themselves with transition plans, incentives, and structured agreements✔️ When a seller’s fast exit is actually reasonable — and how to adjust the deal accordinglyIf you’re buying a small business — or preparing to — this is essential knowledge. The more clarity you have around seller participation, the smoother your acquisition and post-closing period will be.Get the tools, listings, and support you need to buy a business at www.villagewellth.com And don’t forget:👍 Like🔔 Subscribe👉 Follow us on our socials for more acquisition insightsWant more than just content? Follow us on all your favourite platforms: INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/villagewellth/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@villagewellth.com LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/villagewellth/posts/?feedView=all

Most buyers rely on brokers and marketplaces… and miss the hidden deal flow hack that brings opportunities directly from business owners. The key is to create a network. In this episode of the 7-Minute Takeover, we break down the hidden network that advisors, suppliers, and insiders use — and how YOU can tap into it to uncover off-market deals that no one else sees.You’ll learn:• How to get (and make) warm introductions to unlisted business owners• The networking mistake that kills deal flow immediately• Why telling your “why” is more important than sharing criteria• How trust transfers through advisors straight to the seller• What to leave behind so people actually remember youWant more than just content?Get the tools, listings, and support you need to buy a business:🔗 villagewellth.comAnd don’t forget:👍 Like🔔 Subscribe👉 Follow us on our socials for more acquisition insightsINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/villagewellth/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@villagewellth.com LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/villagewellth/posts/?feedView=all

Seller notes are one of the most misunderstood parts of small business acquisitions — and one of the most negotiated.In this episode of The 7 Minute Takeover, Liz and break down the objections buyers will face and how to handle them with confidence.We cover:• What interest rates sellers typically expect (and why)• How banks view interest payments during postponement periods• What collateral sellers can realistically request• How GSA/UCC filings work in Canada & the U.S.• When personal guarantees show up — and whether they're common• Why seller notes help maximize senior debt availability• How to negotiate terms without blowing up the dealWhether you’re a first-time buyer or an experienced searcher, understanding seller notes is critical to getting deals done.👉 Subscribe for more acquisition insights👉 Create a FREE buyer account and start browsing verified business listings: https://www.villagewellth.com/ #Acquisitions #SellerNotes #SMB #SearchFund #DealMaking #VillageWellth #MergersAndAcquisitions #BuyABusiness #Entrepreneurship

In this episode of The Village Wellth Podcast, Liz and Eamonn tackle one of the biggest myths in business acquisitions — that you only need one lender to get your deal done.

You’ll learn:

• Why not all banks are created equal — and how their lending appetite changes by industry

• How having multiple lenders at the table creates leverage and backup options

• The key difference between the banker and the bank (and why relationships matter)

• How healthy competition can lead to better terms and faster closes

• What to do if your preferred lender backs out late in the process

  
  

Whether you’re just starting your acquisition journey or already in deal mode, this episode gives you a playbook for building stronger banking relationships — and protecting your deal flow.

🎧 Subscribe to the Village Wellth Podcast for more real-world insights on buying smarter, building wealth, and turning ambition into ownership.

Ready to start your ownership journey or already on it and want to browse our verified listings? Create a free account: ⁠villagewellth.com⁠

In this episode of The Village Wellth Podcast, Liz and Eamonn tackle one of the biggest myths in business acquisitions — that you only need one lender to get your deal done.

You’ll learn:

• Why not all banks are created equal — and how their lending appetite changes by industry

• How having multiple lenders at the table creates leverage and backup options

• The key difference between the banker and the bank (and why relationships matter)

• How healthy competition can lead to better terms and faster closes

• What to do if your preferred lender backs out late in the process

Whether you’re just starting your acquisition journey or already in deal mode, this episode gives you a playbook for building stronger banking relationships — and protecting your deal flow.

🎧 Subscribe to the Village Wellth Podcast for more real-world insights on buying smarter, building wealth, and turning ambition into ownership.

Ready to start your ownership journey or already on it and want to browse our verified listings? Create a free account: villagewellth.com

#VillageWellth #BusinessForSale #BusinessAcquisition #BuySmarter #EntrepreneurJourney #FinancialFreedom

In today’s episode, we’re breaking down the different types of business buyers, and why understanding which one you are is critical to getting noticed by brokers.Brokers meet hundreds of buyers every month. With deal flow more competitive than ever, they’re looking for one thing: fit. Knowing how to position yourself, communicate your funding structure, and present your background can be the difference between being taken seriously… or getting ignored.In this episode, you’ll learn:0:20 - The importance of “fit” when talking to brokers1:15 - Mistakes buyers make during their intros to brokers2:10 - The most common buyer types2:13- Buyer type 1 2:38- Buyer type 22:59- Buyer type 34:27 - How to improve credibility with brokers4:59 - Acceleration tipsSubscribe to the Village Wellth Podcast for more practical insights on buying smarter, building wealth, and turning ambition into ownership.Explore the Everything software for buying a business and create a free account today: https://www.villagewellth.com/

In this episode of The 7 Minute Takeover, Elizabeth MacRae and Eamonn Gamble explore the realities of buying businesses across borders—specifically, Canadian buyers entering the U.S. market and vice versa. They unpack key challenges around financing, deal credibility, and return potential, while inviting community input on future cross-border topics.

Eamonn highlights common buyer hesitations, including access to financing, lender limitations, and ensuring credible offers. Elizabeth stresses that success often depends on being a strong strategic buyer with a clear rationale for going cross-border—especially in competitive environments.

They also examine the lender landscape: most banks require local presence, and Canadian buyers face hurdles like ineligibility for SBA loans without a U.S. partner. While multinational banks can help, that’s typically limited to larger corporate deals.

Despite the complexity, both agree cross-border acquisitions can deliver strong returns if managed strategically. The key lies in understanding the risks—like local market unfamiliarity and FX exposure—and structuring deals to mitigate them.