Well Lets say, even if Starbucks would go broke and gone bad as Enron and sold its business, would anybody buy it???

What I think is, if you have an innovative idea, it would definately push your passion beyond your imagination.

KFC started during the Depression, it made its way... through. And its one of the top 10 fast food chain.
"Everybody needs food, No food... we'll be starving to death"

All the best to your biz finding.
Drop us a line, if you require any design needs. Cheers.

Would you be interested in investing your money instead ? I have been looking for an investor to invest
$ 200,000 into the purchase of a profitable restaurant. The return rate would be 35 %. If you're interested, please e-mail me at tinkpinkgirl101@yahoo.com or call me at 626-353-7741.

We are a holding company that is making key acquisitions. If you would be interested in looking at making a bigger acquisition we should talk. If you would like to discuss this opportunity future, please email me at ed@intraglobal.org

Thank you,


Ed Schradermeier

Hello Christine. Looks like you've been doing the research you need to do in order to purchase a business. I may have something you'd enjoy doing and it is located in Los Angeles. It is a web based business and has been in business for about 4 years now. The business has a patent for it's products, trademarks set up in the U.S. and Canada that don't expire until 2012. They are also in talks with QVC, Walmart and Target for distribution. I think your sales and marketing background would come in very handy. If you are interested, please contact me at mgoebel@gmail.com and I'll send you a ND/NC form to fill out and sign. At that time, I can send your financials and paperwork showing press, patent and trademark information. Thanks
Michelle

Hi Christine,

Let me tell you about myself.
I am an IT professional that wants a boost in my finances, and because I know that 9-5 job will not turn me into a millionaire, I started looking for business opportunity just like you. I finally found this business opportunity that fired me up, and i'm excited to share with everyone.

I graduated from the University of Georgia in Athens with a major in Economics, and minor in Computer science. So the question is, are you talking to someone that knows a lot about economy? The answer is yes you are. It is true that we are in recession, but some set of people are making millions in this recession. I want us to be a part of this set of people. This should tell you that i'm not a millionaire yet, but it is attainable, and I am determined.

I am also an investor, I invest in real estate, stocks and so on. We can further discuss this when you call.

Feel free to send me an email at seemybusiness@gmail.com, if you want to learn more.

Yours sincerely,
Sola Oshikanlu OCP
404-358-5936

Hi Christine,

My partner and I have a successful Advertising publication in Phoenix, AZ. We are looking for licensees in new territories. We have looked at the San Diego area and feel our publication would be a perfect fit for the market. We would provide training and complete production of the paper, including: Graphic Design work for the Ad's, Printing and Distribution. We also have a few national advertisers for an anchor for the paper this will also allow us to produce a mock paper to use as a sample for selling ads for the first issue. You can look to profit around $15,000 per issue minus any sales commissions paid to your sales associates. There is no overhead for the business everything is handled in our Phoenix office your only concentration would be business to business sales. Either my partner or myself would travel to San Diego for a week of in the field training. When you are able to sell one complete paper we will look to expand into another territory and you will need to hire a associate for your first area.

Please feel free to reply: bryon@rpmaz.com

Web reference: www.rpmaz.com

Hi Christine,

Going through a broker can be challenging. There are good ones and there are bad ones. You just need to find a good one that isn't pressed to make a sale but actually help you. I'm a broker myself and would help you but I don't live out there anymore.

It seems this is going to be your first business. From a financial aspect I would say it's smart to buy a business because the success rate is greatly increased. From the business side I would say become a start up because you will learn a lot of things from a start up.

If you really want to buy a good business you will need to do the leg work. There are businesses still doing great with the bad economy.

1. I would suggest to buy a business list with revenues you are looking for from a list broker.
2. Send letters to businesses that might be interesting to you. Just tell the owner you might be interesting in buying there business. You will get a good response. Just make sure to state you aren't a broker or consultant or you will not get less esponses.
3. Get the responses and go from there. I would suggest having an accountant go over the books of the ones you think. Work out a deal with the accountant that they will be paid once you buy the business so they aren't billing you by the hour.

I hope this helps. I'm sure you will find a business but it might take some time. Good businesses are usually hard to find. Be patient.

Take care

Sam Fitzpatrick

Web reference: www.greatmarketingsystems.com

Thank you Ronnie. I read that a restaurant, in general, is not the best business to get into, unless you have experience. Plus, many business buyers experience problems with the equipment that doesn't turn out to be as stated; or at least, buyers should make sure they're inspected, so they don't break down shortly after an acquisition. Nevertheless, I'd be interested in finding out what the difference between deli/diner or a restaurant or cafe would be. I'd like to look at your listings. However, I'm interested in businesses in the San Diego area, not Florida. Thanks for the tip. Let me know, if you get your hands on anything in this area.

Try a deli and/or diner. It's hard work, but good rewards and fun. Plus in the right area it is an excellent investment that will grow. And you can do this anywhere there are people. We doesn't like to eat great food?

If you want one in biz already, contact me as there are 2 great operations on the west coast of Florida I can get you into. One or both!!

Web reference: www.johnniepastramis.com

It sounds like you have the skills and personality that would make a fortune in the business I am in. If you would like more info contact me at nightengaletim@yahoo.com

Now may be a good time. But only if you buy at prices based on current performance. NEVER pay on the basis of what great things happened in 2008, if 2009 is in the toilet. If you are paying a price that is based on Cash Flow, you want to use a weighted average which takes into account what is going on right now. Saying 2008 was a great year and you need to pay a price on that basis is garbage, in my humble view. They can use all the excuses they want, and the economy is the biggest excuse you will hear. But you have no guarnatee that the business will actually come back, or how long it might take to do so. And if you buy today, and the business comes back, that will be due to your work to revive it, and your investment in "the bad year(s)". Do you want to pay for the privilege of the added work and risk? I don't think so!

(Also, NEVER pay on the basis of potential. If the potential is so darned good, why isn't the current owner enjoying the fruit of that potential. Someone that tries to sell you a mature business primarily on the basis of "potential" is like the blind dates you were offered in high school. You know, the ones where you asked, "What does he look like?"; and your friends would only answer, "He has a GREAT car!")

Now is a good time if you realy, truly believe that business has a future, in spite of the current bad economy. But you really have to study that to be certain. Can it get better? What has to happen to make that occur? What do you, or can you do to make the upswing happen? Is the worst over, or is it yet to come? How long will all that take?

There is a lot of research and admittedly, a lot of educated guesswork that goes into answering some of those questions.

Web reference: www.bafgroup.com

Daniel, Are you looking for a specific type of business? How long have you been looking? It seeems that a lot of businesses have not been doing great in 2009, but they use 2008 and before to determine their purchase price (at least the ones that have been in business for 7 years +). Some of them, when I want up to date financials, are hardly making any money or at least quite a lot less than before. Do you think that it might be a better time to find a good deal at the beginning of next year or now?

always listen to Don, he will talk to you about it via email as well. His advice has been solid, so I have found. I am running into the same issues you are.

Thank you all of you for your great responses. I haven't quite figured out how to respond individually (I don't think that's possible here yet). I have looked at franchises, but I'm generally more interested in businesses, in which I have the freedom to be creative in how to grow the business. Don, I really appreciate your advice and I'll try to identify a specific business.

Again, thank you everybody.

Please call me about my unique franchise Opp. IN SAN DIEGO
Dennis 858-603-9648

Web reference: IN2ITNUTRITIONANDFITNESS.COM/FRANCHISE

Christine,

As a Franchise Broker, I represent over 400 Franchises in almost every industry. Because I deal with Franchsies, I can help buyers in every part of the country. Since you have no business ownership experience, buying a Franchise might be a good fit for you. Some of these Franchises may have resales in San Diago, however most are open for a start up. If you would like to discuss some options with me, I'll be more than happy to talk to you. You can contact me at 888-241-6629 or david@franchiseadvisorygroup.net

Web reference: www.franchiseadvisorygroup.net

Christine, you don't mention whether you have looked at franchises. Starting your first business with leases, employees, insurance issues with the employees, tons of advertising $$$. Just think about having a system all set up to start small and manageable and grow with it with small risk. I wish I had started that way instead of getting frustrated with problems and wished I hadn't even started. Maybe not my franchise but others can be started by yourself and your husbands help.
Think about it> Good luck, Jon at Edgemaster Mobile Sharpening

Web reference: www.edgemasterfranchising.com

Christine, I am a Business Broker, but frankly cannot help you with your search due to geographic limitations. We work for Buyers in some instances, but I am afraid we are in the minority, essentially because of the issues the last writer stated, very well. But I am intruiged (and alarmed) by the amount of "misrpresentation" you say you are dealing with. Can you provide some examples of how the Cash Flow is being misrepresented?

Also, you say you have a "great mentor"; what is he/she doing for you? Is this a friend that is assisting you, or someone you are paying for assistance?

Finally, once thing I would suggest is to not initially focus on the cash flow, or even the price. The first thing to identify is the type of business you like, and which seems to have the prospects for a bright future. Then take a look at the other issues. Focusing in on that kind of search activity can help you understand a specific industry in depth, which in turn would help you in determining whether a given business has the parameters you find attractive.

As a brief and elementary example, lets say you want to do food operations. You can learn what percentages of Cost of Goods to look for. Knowing that the average for that type of food is perhaps 32%, you know whether this is a well run place or not. If food costs are much higher than that, is the Seller hiding Revenue, or is he just a terrible operator. This can tell you whether you want to consider this business, what to use as a pricing guide if you eventually make an offer, and whether you, personally can make a difference in making it a more successful business.

I hope this helps.

Web reference: www.bafgroup.com

Co-brokerage is a challenge in selling businesses so not many brokers work for buyers like you have seen. The key to get brokers interested is to pre-qualify your self when you approach them. Only 1 of 10 or 20 buyer prospects ever buy aa business, so you must set yourself apart. I suggest drafting a 1 page profile with your background, experience, financial resources and criteria (by location, industry, size) to make an acquisition.

Also, would you consider a start-up? If sales/marketing is your strength, we are about to roll out an opportunity to sell office products online where you can focus on selling while the online system manages ordering and fulfillment. email me if you have some interest, alan@hatterasgroup.com, 828-432-2900.