Most people never buy a business
Not because they can't find the money. Not because they lack the skills. Because they're waiting for a deal to find them. Setting up a BizBuySell alert isn't deal sourcing. It's browsing. Here's the reality: Brokers don't send their best deals to strangers. They send them to buyers who have called, shown proof of funds, and closed before. If you haven't personally introduced yourself to 10 brokers in your target market, you're not in the deal flow. The best businesses are never listed. The owner of a $2M HVAC company isn't on Flippa. He's 61, tired, and hasn't told anyone he wants out. Direct outreach is how you reach him before anyone else does. Your criteria is too wide. "Service businesses under $5M" is not a search filter. Pick one industry, one geography, one revenue range. Become the most knowledgeable buyer in that lane. Brokers remember specialists. You don't have a deal sourcing problem. You have an activity problem. Serious acquirers run 50-100 outreach touches a week. If you're doing 5, that's your answer. The deal isn't coming to you. Where are you at right now? Actively sourcing or still locking in your criteria? Drop it below and I'll respond to everyone this week.