That’s a rookie question. Because profit is the easiest number to manipulate. A seller can show you a profitable P&L and still have❌ no money❌ no cash❌ no real business. Profit is a story. Cash is the truth. So the real question is:“How much cash hits the bank every month?” Because deals aren’t funded by spreadsheets. They’re funded by: ✅ bank statements ✅ deposits ✅ consistency The Cash Only Filter: A real business can send you • 12 months of bank statements (PDFs, not screenshots) • monthly deposits that are steady (not random spikes) • merchant processor reports (Stripe, Square) • rent and payroll that make sense • owner add backs that are real (not fantasy) If they can’t prove that, they’re not selling a business. They’re selling a dream. One line script (copy and paste): “Perfect. Send the last 12 months of bank statements plus your P&L and I’ll tell you exactly what your business is worth.” If they hesitate, disqualify immediately.Because serious sellers don’t protect numbers. They protect time. Rule: If they can’t prove cash flow in one call, they’re not ready. They’re not real. You’re wasting your time. Because in deals, time is your only real asset. Comment “BANK” and I’ll drop my exact seller doc request list.

That’s a rookie question. Asking price is a wish. Proof is power. The real question is: “What happens if you DON’T sell in the next 30–60 days?” Because every seller has a story…but only serious sellers have pressure. ✅ Real seller = urgency + receipts - Lease renewal coming up - Partner dispute / divorce - Relocation already planned - Health situation - Burnout + replacement hired - They’ve already dropped the price - They can send documents today Then hit them with one line: “Perfect. Send the last 12 months of bank statements + your P&L.” If they hesitate…they’re not selling a business. They’re selling a dream. Rule: If the seller can’t show urgency + proof in one call…disqualify. Because in deals… time is your only real asset.

That’s a beginner question. The real question is: “What happens if you DON’T sell in the next 30–60 days?” Because every seller has a story…But only a serious seller has pressure. Here’s how you spot it fast: ✅ Serious seller = urgency + proof - Lease renewal coming up - Partner dispute / divorce - Relocation already planned - Health situation - Burnout + already replacing themselves - They’ve already dropped the price - Then you follow with one line: “Got it. Send the last 6 months of bank statements.” If they hesitate…They’re not selling a business. They’re selling a dream. Time is your only real asset in deals. So don't spend it on sellers who aren’t ready. Rule: If the seller can’t explain the urgency + show proof in one call…disqualify. 👇 What’s your biggest issue right now? 1️⃣ Sellers dodging numbers 2️⃣ Not finding deals 3️⃣ Don’t know what to ask 4️⃣ Nervous to negotiate 5️⃣ Need funding strategy

That’s not what kills deals. Bad deals get people because they skip the basics. Before you waste time on ANY deal, ask this: Can they prove the numbers in 5 minutes? - P&L - Bank statements - Tax returns If those 3 don’t matchIt’s not a dealIt’s a story. Most beginners lose months because they fall in love firstThen try to “figure it out” later. I do the opposite. I disqualify fast. If the seller can’t show clean numbers quickly, walk. What stage are you in right now? 1 learning 2 looking at deals 3 talking to sellers 4 under contract 5 closing

Most buyers don’t lose money because they picked the wrong deal. They lose money because they fell in love before they verified the basics. If you ask these 5 questions early, you’ll save months of time and thousands of dollars. I ask these before I spend more than 10 minutes on any deal. 1 Does it run without the owner If the owner is the manager, salesperson, and problem solver, you’re not buying a business. You're buying a job. You want a real operator in place. Schedule, Staff, Systems, Day to day covered 2 Are customers coming from systems or personality? If customers only come because the owner is “well connected,” you’re buying relationships you can’t transfer. You want repeatable sources: SEO Referrals Contracts Walk ins Ads that track 3 Can the numbers be proven in 5 minutes If they can’t show clean numbers fast, the truth usually gets worse with time. Ask for: Profit and loss Bank statements Tax returns If they don’t match, it’s not a deal. It's a story. 4 Why are they really selling This is the fastest lie detector. Good reasons: retirement, relocating, health, burnout. Bad reasons: vague answers, avoiding questions, “I just want out.” 5 What breaks the second you take over Every business has one weak link. Staff turnover, Landlord issues, Equipment failure, Vendor dependence, Customer concentration Find the weak link before you sign anything. Here is the ruleIf a deal fails any of these, you walk. Your time is the most expensive thing you own. 👇 Comment your stage and I’ll tell you your next move 1 Learning 2 Looking at deals 3 Talking to sellers 4 Under contract 5 Closing Bonus: Which business are you going after first? Laundromat Car Wash Vending Med Spa HVAC Fitness If you want my exact due diligence question list, comment CHECKLIST and I’ll send it. Educational content only. Not financial, legal, or tax advice. Do your own due diligence.