Thinking about buying a business but not sure where to start? Here's the real talk. There's no one size fits all answer, but there is a smart way to figure out what suits you.

Start With Your Strengths

Your background, skills, and experience matter. A lot.

When you're in the driver’s seat of a business, your ability to manage daily operations, make decisions under pressure, and connect with staff, customers, or suppliers is critical. Ideally, the business you buy should match your natural skillset.

Worked in hospitality? A café or events business might be a breeze. Background in finance or sales? A service based business with recurring revenue could be your sweet spot.

The closer the alignment, the more confidence you’ll inspire from lenders, partners, and future customers. And the faster you’ll find your groove.

But Don’t Let Inexperience Stop You

Here’s the twist. You don’t need to be an industry expert to succeed.

If you find a business that gets your brain ticking, where you see ways to improve it or scale it, that's worth paying attention to.

One Sherpa seller bought a construction business with zero industry background. Finance and tech were their bread and butter. But what they did know was how to build systems, fix marketing, and spot inefficiencies.

They switched from print ads to digital, automated lead tracking, and streamlined sales processes.

Result? Tripled revenue in 3 years and sold the business for 3 times what they paid.

The Real Secret? Look for the Gaps

Every business has weaknesses. The smart buyer sees them as opportunities.

Ask yourself:

What would I do differently here?
Can I bring better systems, tech, or marketing to the table?
Could I improve the customer experience?
Is the business missing digital visibility, automation, or recurring revenue?

You’re not just buying what’s there, you’re buying what it could become.

Final Word from Sherpa

You don’t have to tick every box before you buy a business. But you do need to know your strengths and be honest about what you can bring to the table.

So, whether you find a business that matches your past or challenges your future, approach it with curiosity and confidence.

See the gaps. Imagine the upside. And build your version of success, one decision at a time.

Want help finding a business that fits you?

Use Sherpa to browse opportunities, appraise listings, and manage your journey your way.

Explore Businesses for Sale.