Buy Then Build — The Secret Shortcut to Entrepreneurial Success

Rethinking the Entrepreneurial Playbook with Acquisitions

Let’s talk about entrepreneurship. Specifically, the romanticized version of entrepreneurship we’ve all grown up with: some 22-year-old genius in a hoodie scribbles equations on a napkin at Starbucks, hits THE idea, sleeps under their desk for two years, and voilà! Billionaire!

Walker Deibel, the author of Buy Then Build, walks into this narrative like a guy at a toga party in a three-piece suit. Instead of hustling to start a business from scratch, he says: “Why build when you can buy?”

This idea feels like cheating in a game we didn’t know had cheat codes. And it’s not just a sneaky shortcut — it’s the better way. For a majority of us.

The Startup Delusion

Here’s the reality check Deibel smacks you with right out of the gate: most startups fail. Like, 90%-of-them fail. So while you’re pouring your savings, soul, and sanity into something nobody asked for, you could just buy a business that’s already working. Customers? Check. Cash flow? Check. Systems and processes? Double-check.

And let’s not forget time. Startups spend years in the trenches trying to figure out the basics — who their customers are, what they want, and how to make money. Pivot much? With acquisition entrepreneurship, you hit the ground running, skipping the painful startup phase entirely. You’re not a garage-dwelling founder; you’re the CEO from day one. Call yourself “MiniMusk” (ok, maybe too much)

Why Is No One Talking About This?!

Deibel doesn’t just pitch acquisition entrepreneurship; he builds a watertight case for it. Here are the most compelling arguments:

1. The $10 Trillion Opportunity: Baby boomers own a lot of businesses. As they retire, those businesses are up for grabs — an unprecedented transfer of wealth. Deibel calls this the “$10 trillion tsunami.” Surf’s up, folks. I call it the Silverwave. It’s real, and were just at the beginning.
2. The Myth of Wealth: You don’t need to be a trust fund kid to buy a business. Financing options, like SBA loans, make it possible to put down as little as 10%. For the cost of a house down payment, you can own a business generating $1 million in revenue.
3. The ROI of Buying Profits: Startups burn cash and beg investors for more. Acquisitions make cash from day one. This flips the entire game. You’re not spending years in the red; you’re immediately in the black.

“What If I’m Not Jeff Bezos?”

Deibel is refreshingly blunt about the skills you’ll need — and the ones you don’t. You don’t need to be a business prodigy or a financial wizard. You need:

• A CEO Mindset: Think big, but stay grounded. Be ready to lead and grow something.
• A knack for matchmaking: The best acquisitions align with your skills, goals, and values.
• The ability to build trust: Sellers want to hand off their businesses to someone who “gets it.” They don’t want to see their legacy go up in smoke.

This is entrepreneurship for real people, not just Silicon Valley demigods.

The Playbook

But this isn’t just theory. Deibel delivers an actionable roadmap for aspiring acquisition entrepreneurs. Some of the highlights:

1. How to Search: Go beyond scrolling BizBuySell listings — build relationships with brokers and sellers.
2. What to Look For: Financials, growth potential, and the “why” behind the seller’s decision.
3. How to Finance It: SBA loans, seller financing, and creative deal structures make it accessible.
4. How to Transition: The first 90 days are make-or-break. Build relationships with employees, suppliers, and customers.

But Wait, There’s More!

Deibel’s book also smashes the traditional entrepreneurship mythos:

• Startups are sexy, but acquisitions are smart. It’s not about glamour — it’s about results.
• Risk is overrated. Buying a business with proven cash flow is exponentially safer than betting everything on a startup.
• You are the X-factor. It’s not just about buying a business — it’s about growing it. This is where innovation comes in. You take something great and make it extraordinary.

Final Thoughts: A Paradigm Shift

Buy Then Build isn’t just a book — it’s a mic drop on the traditional startup narrative.

If you’re someone dreaming of starting a business, frustrated by the grind, or just curious about a smarter way to play the game, Buy Then Build is required reading. It’s practical, transformative, and — dare I say it — fun.

The TL;DR? You don’t need to invent the next big thing. You just need to find it, buy it, and make it better. Because sometimes, the smartest way to build is to buy. Sometimes it’s the only way.

You can support Silverwave by grabbing a copy of Buy Then Build here.