Nate H., a sales director with a wireless company and seasoned real estate investor, is on a mission to acquire small businesses. His journey, fueled by a passion for ownership and community, highlights the inefficiencies he encountered in the traditional business acquisition landscape and how Baton offered a refreshing alternative.

About the buyer

• Name: Nate H.

• Current Role: Director of Sales at a Wireless Company, Real Estate Investor

• Business Interests: Specialty Retail (Plant Boutiques), Remodeling/Construction

The challenges

Nate's journey into business acquisition began three years ago, with serious pursuit starting about 18 months ago. He quickly discovered the hurdles in the traditional marketplace:

1. Ineffective Business Broker Interactions: Nate found that as a buyer, he wasn't getting the time of day from traditional business brokers. Without a prior deal closed, they were not proactive in bringing opportunities to him.

2. Time-Consuming Search Process: Traditional platforms like BizBuySell felt outdated and inefficient. Sifting through numerous listings and dealing with multiple brokers proved to be a drain on his time.

3. Lack of Transparency and Vetted Information: Nate expressed frustration with the lack of vetted financial information on traditional marketplaces. Basic information was often missing, making it difficult to quickly assess the value of a business and craft a Letter of Intent (LOI).

Why Baton?

Nate stumbled upon Baton while searching on BizBuySell. Intrigued by a listing, he researched Baton on LinkedIn and was impressed by the company's modern approach and legitimate business model. The platform's streamlined process and focus on vetted information starkly contrasted his previous experiences.

"It was like going from a webpage from like the 2000s  to a modern, clean [interface],"
Nate said, highlighting the vastly different user experience.

From "Hello" to LOI

Here's what Nate's Baton journey looked like:

1. Streamlined Platform: Baton's single platform allowed Nate to interact with a dedicated team, simplifying communication and eliminating the need to sign multiple NDAs and introductory agreements.

2. Vetted Information: Unlike other marketplaces, Baton provided vetted financial information upfront, enabling Nate to quickly assess the value of businesses and determine his interest.

1. Efficient Due Diligence: Nate was able to move quickly into due diligence after submitting an LOI within 24 hours. The organization and support from the Baton team made the process efficient and straightforward.

"Even as a beginner, I felt like I could have written an LOI just after reviewing all of that stuff," emphasizing how Baton empowers buyers to understand a company's value more easily.

The outcome (so far)

While the initial deal didn't materialize, Nate remains an active buyer of Baton, armed with a clearer understanding of the acquisition process and a strong appreciation for Baton's platform. He is focused on specialty retail (plant boutiques) and remodeling/construction companies.

Nate's advice

"Baton just made it super simple," Nate says. "Don't let only a few entities own everything. Let's go acquire stuff so that we make personalized communities."

Thinking about buying a business?

If you're a business buyer seeking a more efficient and transparent acquisition process, explore Baton today.