HBR Guide to Buying a Small Business

HBR Guide to Buying a Small Business is for people who want to own a company without starting at zero. It covers finding a business, checking the facts, arranging the money, and taking over from the seller. I like its steady view of the process because buying an existing company trades startup risk for a different set of surprises. The buyer gets customers and cash flow, but also old habits and old problems. The book helps readers study whether the company can run after the current owner leaves. That is the same question a smart seller should be preparing to answer.