I am a firm believer that knowledge is power. Growing up, my parents always found a way to invest in education. They said it was the best investment they could make in my future—and I have to say, they got that right.

So when I started my journey into Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA), the first thing I tried to gather was knowledge. Here, I am sharing the six resources that helped me the most (and that I have heard other searchers recommend over and over again).

1. Acquiring Minds Podcast

Will Smith (not that Will Smith) hosts Acquiring Minds, and let me tell you, he is the best interviewer I have ever encountered. He asks insightful questions and guides guests through their stories while pulling out actionable advice.

This podcast is a goldmine for learning both ETA concepts and hearing real-world experiences. I personally love listening to how these entrepreneurs think. If you are lucky, you might even find an episode about a business similar to the one you want to buy.

Bonus: Will also hosts webinars that are pure GOLD. Webinars cover search strategies, financial modeling, legal tips, and more. All for free!

(And Will, if you ever read this: I fan-girled bad when I met you. One of my more embarrassing moments but I could not help it.)

2. Buy Then Build by Walker Deibel

If you ask anyone in ETA what to read first, this book will come up. Buy Then Build outlines the opportunity in small business acquisition and offers a blueprint for how to approach your first 90 days post-close.

It is easy to read, practical, and will give you the foundation you need to get started. I read it myself early on, and it made the idea of buying a business feel not just possible—but doable.

3. HBR Guide to Buying a Small Business by Richard S. Ruback & Royce Yudkoff

This is another go-to in the ETA community. Compared to Buy Then Build, it dives deeper and is truly a step-by-step guide.

Even just scanning the table of contents gives you a clear roadmap for the entire acquisition process. I continue to reference this book as I move through my journey, especially to make sure I am not missing anything critical.

4. Searchfunder

Think of Searchfunder as the social network for searchers. All the big names in the ETA world are there, and the discussions are packed with valuable insights.

The community is incredibly open and helpful. A true spirit of abundance characterizes the people in this space. You will find thoughtful posts, detailed deal breakdowns, industry reports, and even deal opportunities. For example, I encourage you to check out Kaustubh Deo’s post on “Five Non-Negotiables To Understand Before Closing.”

If you are an active member of the community and contribute through posts and comments the membership is free for up to a year. If you only want to "listen in" you will need to pay a monthly membership.

5. Big Deal Small Business Blog

Written by Kaustubh Deo, a former private equity investor turned business owner and investor, Big Deal Small Business offers incredible insights into buying and running small businesses.

The New Searcher Reader Guide he put together is especially helpful if you are just entering the space. Some of his posts require a second read to absorb all the wisdom, but trust me, it is worth it. If you haven’t already, go subscribe now.

6. Sam Rosati’s Linktree

Honestly, I do not even know where to start with Sam Rosati. He seems to do it all—lawyer, investor, educator. He is heavily involved in SMBootcamp, a program for teaching aspiring owners how to buy businesses. He's also hosts SMBash a search conference and networking event that even Will Smith (not that Will Smith) attends (here I am fan-girling again).

He also shares a massive amount of free resources through his Linktree and social media.

Spoiler alert: Sam has appeared on Acquiring Minds multiple times, and every episode he is in is packed with great information.

A Word of (unrequested) Advice

If you are anything like me, your instinct will be to read all of these resources at once. Please, don’t. It is overwhelming, and trust me, it leads straight to analysis paralysis (guilty as charged).

Pick the one resource that resonates most with you and start there. Each of these will open up the space to you and lead you naturally to the next questions and next resources you need.

Personally, I started by reading Buy Then Build and listening to the Acquiring Minds podcast. Equipped with some foundational knowledge, I dove deeper into other topics using the additional resources as needed.

One Day, I Hope to Be on Your List

My hope is that through Collita Adventures, I will become a resource for you too. I am committed to sharing the real-life steps, lessons, and messy moments from my journey to acquiring a business in the hope they will open the path for other women (and men) in this space.

If you have a favorite resource that helped you in your ETA journey, please share it in the comments. I would love to learn from you, and so would my three followers 😆!