David C Barnett Small Business and Deal Making M&A SMB

Hosted by David C Barnett

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500

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Jun 2026

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About the show

I discuss buying, selling, financing and managing small and medium sized businesses either alone or with guests. I've started, bought, sold and closed businesses. Author of three best-selling business books; 'Invest Local: a guide to superior investment returns in your own community,' 'Franchise Warnings: What you really need to know before you buy' and 'How To Sell My Own Business: A guide to selling your own business without paying a broker's commission.' all available as well as 5 other books on Amazon or from www.DavidCBarnett.com

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60 recent

June 15, 202628 min

The Biggest Lie in Business Buying “Just Hire a Manager”

- Join David's email list so you never miss any new videos or important information or insights, RECEIVE 7 FREE GIFTS!!- https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com **** Spend a few minutes on social media and you'll hear it: "Just buy a business and hire a manager." It sounds simple. But the reality of business ownership is very different. In this video, I explain why managers still need supervision, why owners carry responsibilities that can't be delegated away, and why this popular advice often creates unrealistic expectations for first-time buyers. Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/71lmcZGNrks **** Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 02:10 The "Just Hire a Manager" Myth 05:20 The Gas Station Example 09:45 Why Managers Need Supervision 14:00 The Difference Between Owners and Employees 18:20 How Owners Actually Step Back 23:15 Building Systems and KPIs 27:40 The Transmission Shop Trap 33:00 The McDonald's Franchise Example 38:20 The Bench Depth Problem 43:15 Why Succession Planning Fails 48:00 The Reality of Business Ownership 53:10 Why This Myth Persists **** Do Business with David using these incredible internet links... - Learn how to buy a successful and profitable business in a risk-controlled way https://www.BusinessBuyerAdvantage.com - Get help selling your business, https://www.HowToSellMyOwnBusiness.com - Get better organized in your business, https://www.EasySmallBizSystems.com - Learn to make better cash flow forecasts and write incredibly effective business plans from scratch!, https://www.BizPlanSchool.com #BusinessAcquisition #BusinessValuation #CapEx #Depreciation #BuyABusiness #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Investing #ETA #DavidCBarnett Youtube music licensing code: 5PJWQOE5ZZHTQSRY

June 12, 202645 min

LIVE Can better HR practices actually make your business more valuable? with Kelly Price

Can better HR practices actually make your business more valuable? New Livestream guest – Kelly Price I’m happy to have Kelly join me on a live broadcast. Kelly helps small and medium-sized businesses use HR strategically to improve operations, reduce risk, support growth, and increase business value. Tune in as we discuss the HR issues many business owners overlook, how poor people management can erode profits, and what buyers look for when evaluating a business acquisition. We'll also explore how HR impacts business value, common compliance mistakes, leadership development, employee retention, and the growing role of AI in managing people and processes. This is a ‘must see event’ for anyone managing a growing business, preparing for a future sale, or looking to build a stronger organization. Find Kelly on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellypricethrivehr/ or at her website https://www.thrivehrkc.com/ Special Xero offer: Get 90% off for 6 months using this link: https://referrals.xero.com/DavidCBarnett_xero . Terms & Conditions apply.* See the video of my Xero story here: https://youtu.be/LfaGUfwStqo Sign up for David's email list at https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com Youtube music licensing code: 5PJWQOE5ZZHTQSRY

June 8, 202631 min

The Most Expensive Mistake Business Buyers Make

**New Video Alert! Many people think they understand business cash flow. Then they buy a business and discover they forgot one critical expense. Depreciation. In this video, I explain why depreciation and capital expenditures are some of the most important concepts in business acquisition, and why ignoring them can lead to disappointing returns and expensive surprises. Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/x9qkUhcqzmo Cheers See you over on YouTube David C Barnett #BusinessAcquisition #BusinessValuation #CapEx #Depreciation #BuyABusiness #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Investing **** - Join David's email list so you never miss any new videos or important information or insights, RECEIVE 7 FREE GIFTS!!- https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com **** Special Xero offer: Get 90% off for 6 months using this link: https://referrals.xero.com/DavidCBarnett_xero. Terms & Conditions apply.* See why I chose Xero for my business here: https://youtu.be/LfaGUfwStqo Find more content that answers your questions with my new AI BOT: https://www.davidcbarnettbot.com/ Do Business with David using these incredible internet links... - David's Blog where you can find hundreds of free videos and articles, https://www.DavidCBarnett.com - Book a call with David and let him help you with your project, https://www.CallDavidCBarnett.com - Learn how to buy a successful and profitable business in a risk-controlled way https://www.BusinessBuyerAdvantage.com - Get help selling your business, https://www.HowToSellMyOwnBusiness.com - Get better organized in your business, https://www.EasySmallBizSystems.com - Learn to make better cash flow forecasts and write incredibly effective business plans from scratch!, https://www.BizPlanSchool.com - Learn to build an equity asset with insurance! visit https://www.NewBankingSolution.com Youtube music licensing code: 5PJWQOE5ZZHTQSRY

June 4, 202642 min

Live Government Contracts for Small Business: What Most Owners Miss with Melinda Colon

Can government contracts help you grow your business and increase its value? I’m happy to have Melinda join me on a live broadcast. Melinda helps business owners use government contracting as a strategic growth tool. Rather than chasing random opportunities, she helps companies identify the right contracts, build sustainable sales pipelines, and create long-term value. Tune in as we discuss how government procurement really works, the biggest mistakes business owners make when pursuing contracts, and why winning one contract should never be the goal. We’ll also explore how business buyers and owners can use government contracting to diversify revenue, reduce risk, and build a stronger, more valuable company. This is a ‘must see event’ for anyone interested in business growth, acquisitions, sales strategy, or government contracting. Find Melinda on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melinda-colon/ https://melindacolon.com/

June 1, 202621 min

Is Intellectual Property Still Valuable? (What Business Buyers Need to Know)

**New Video Alert! There was a time when information was difficult to find and incredibly valuable. Today, AI can generate training materials, lesson plans, procedures, and content in minutes. So what does that mean for businesses that claim their value comes from intellectual property? In this video, I explain why buyers need to separate information from execution and focus on what actually creates business value. Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/lB4k3TsycmM Cheers See you over on YouTube David C Barnett #BusinessAcquisition #BusinessValuation #IntellectualProperty #AI #Entrepreneurship #BuyABusiness #SmallBusiness #Investing #ETA **** - Join David's email list so you never miss any new videos or important information or insights, RECEIVE 7 FREE GIFTS!!- https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com **** Special Xero offer: Get 90% off for 6 months using this link: https://referrals.xero.com/DavidCBarnett_xero. Terms & Conditions apply.* See why I chose Xero for my business here: https://youtu.be/LfaGUfwStqo Find more content that answers your questions with my new AI BOT: https://www.davidcbarnettbot.com/ Do Business with David using these incredible internet links... - David's Blog where you can find hundreds of free videos and articles, https://www.DavidCBarnett.com - Book a call with David and let him help you with your project, https://www.CallDavidCBarnett.com - Learn how to buy a successful and profitable business in a risk-controlled way https://www.BusinessBuyerAdvantage.com - Get help selling your business, https://www.HowToSellMyOwnBusiness.com - Get better organized in your business, https://www.EasySmallBizSystems.com - Learn to make better cash flow forecasts and write incredibly effective business plans from scratch!, https://www.BizPlanSchool.com - Learn to build an equity asset with insurance! visit https://www.NewBankingSolution.com Youtube music licensing code: 5PJWQOE5ZZHTQSRY

May 28, 202653 min

Premiere - Do Interest Rates Really Matter When Buying a Business? Mike Finger

Cash flow Forecasting Program Discount code- Until end of May 2026 https://dbarnett.gumroad.com/l/smallbizforecasting/CashFlow2YTPromo **** Do interest rates, recessions, and economic headlines really matter when buying or selling a small business? New guest – Mike Finger from ExitOasis.com I’m happy to have Mike join me for an important discussion about the difference between economic headlines and the real-world realities of small business dealmaking. Tune in as we discuss interest rates, private equity, AI, demographic shifts, and whether these big macro trends actually impact the average small business owner looking to buy or sell a business. We’ll also explore what really makes a business sellable and why good businesses continue to attract buyers regardless of what’s happening in the broader economy. This is a ‘must see event’ for anyone interested in buying, selling, financing, or managing a small business. Be sure to join live so that you can ask questions, replay will be available. Set yourself a reminder on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/8Nl_AEZnIt8 It will be going live Thursday May 28, 2026 at 2:30 PM Atlantic Time and 1:30 PM Eastern Time See you there! David C Barnett *** Special Xero offer: Get 90% off for 6 months using this link: https://referrals.xero.com/DavidCBarnett_xero . Terms & Conditions apply.* See the video of my Xero story here: https://youtu.be/LfaGUfwStqo Sign up for David's email list at https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com Youtube music licensing code: 5PJWQOE5ZZHTQSRY **** - Join David's email list so you never miss any new videos or important information or insights, RECEIVE 7 FREE GIFTS!!- https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com **** Special Xero offer: Get 90% off for 6 months using this link: https://referrals.xero.com/DavidCBarnett_xero. Terms & Conditions apply.* See why I chose Xero for my business here: https://youtu.be/LfaGUfwStqo Find more content that answers your questions with my new AI BOT: https://www.davidcbarnettbot.com/ Do Business with David using these incredible internet links... - David's Blog where you can find hundreds of free videos and articles, https://www.DavidCBarnett.com - Book a call with David and let him help you with your project, https://www.CallDavidCBarnett.com - Learn how to buy a successful and profitable business in a risk-controlled way https://www.BusinessBuyerAdvantage.com - Get help selling your business, https://www.HowToSellMyOwnBusiness.com - Get better organized in your business, https://www.EasySmallBizSystems.com - Learn to make better cash flow forecasts and write incredibly effective business plans from scratch!, https://www.BizPlanSchool.com - Learn to build an equity asset with insurance! visit https://www.NewBankingSolution.com Youtube music licensing code: 5PJWQOE5ZZHTQSRY

May 25, 202617 min

“Shake the Tree” A Simple Sales Strategy That Actually Works

**New Video Alert! What do you do when business slows down and the phone stops ringing? In this video, I explain a simple strategy called “Shake the Tree” — a relationship-driven way to reconnect with people, generate referrals, and create opportunities without sounding pushy. It’s simple, practical, and still works incredibly well. Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/MQP53EWuCFY Cheers See you over on YouTube David C Barnett #Sales #LeadGeneration #Networking #LinkedIn #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Marketing #SmallBusiness #Consulting **** TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction 01:20 The “Shake the Tree” Sales Strategy 03:15 Why I Joined a Coworking Space 05:20 Using Events to Create Conversations 08:10 The LinkedIn Outreach Strategy 11:00 Why Non-Pushy Sales Works Better 13:40 Real Results From One Campaign 16:15 Building Long-Term Business Momentum 20:00 Why Reputation Compounds Over Time 24:10 Final Advice for Business Owners **** - Join David's email list so you never miss any new videos or important information or insights, RECEIVE 7 FREE GIFTS!!- https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com **** Special Xero offer: Get 90% off for 6 months using this link: https://referrals.xero.com/DavidCBarnett_xero. Terms & Conditions apply.* See why I chose Xero for my business here: https://youtu.be/LfaGUfwStqo Find more content that answers your questions with my new AI BOT: https://www.davidcbarnettbot.com/ Do Business with David using these incredible internet links... - David's Blog where you can find hundreds of free videos and articles, https://www.DavidCBarnett.com - Book a call with David and let him help you with your project, https://www.CallDavidCBarnett.com - Learn how to buy a successful and profitable business in a risk-controlled way https://www.BusinessBuyerAdvantage.com - Get help selling your business, https://www.HowToSellMyOwnBusiness.com - Get better organized in your business, https://www.EasySmallBizSystems.com - Learn to make better cash flow forecasts and write incredibly effective business plans from scratch!, https://www.BizPlanSchool.com - Learn to build an equity asset with insurance! visit https://www.NewBankingSolution.com Youtube music licensing code: 5PJWQOE5ZZHTQSRY

May 21, 202648 min

When Should You Exit a Business Sell, Close or Pt 3

When Should You Exit a Business? Sell, Close or Walk Away How do you know when it’s time to exit a business? In this special roundtable discussion, we talk about one of the toughest decisions business owners face — when to sell, shut down, or move on. Joining me are: *Rocky Lalvani – Profit Answer Man Podcast *Giuseppe Grammatico – Franchise Freedom Podcast *Henry Lopez – The How of Business Podcast Together, we discuss the warning signs business owners should watch for, how to think about succession and exit planning, and the emotional and financial realities of leaving a business behind. This is part three of our special three-part small business roundtable series. This is a ‘must see event’ for anyone thinking about selling a business, planning an exit, or evaluating the future of their company. Be sure to join the premiere so that you can ask questions. Set yourself a reminder on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/VdS7QSEIwFs **** DCB Cash Flow Forecasting & Business Plan Writing Program- Save $100 May 2026 ONLY: https://dbarnett.gumroad.com/l/smallbizforecasting/CashFlow2YTPromo Links to our guests channels: *Rocky Lalvani-Profit Answer Man on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCKlxo8XQE9n6rFmlNpQHegg *Henry Lopez- The How of Business on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCTen53dRJ5m6tgPgSIN3XEg *Giuseppe Grammatico- Franchise Freedom Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCxWsxLRngbxJEH2m8w-ptYw **** Get 90% off your first 6 months of Xero Cloud Accounting: https://referrals.xero.com/DavidCBarnett_xero See why David chose Xero for his business here: https://youtu.be/LfaGUfwStqo Join David's Email list and get 7 FREE gifts: https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com **** - Join David's email list so you never miss any new videos or important information or insights, RECEIVE 7 FREE GIFTS!!- https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com **** Special Xero offer: Get 90% off for 6 months using this link: https://referrals.xero.com/DavidCBarnett_xero. Terms & Conditions apply.* See why I chose Xero for my business here: https://youtu.be/LfaGUfwStqo Find more content that answers your questions with my new AI BOT: https://www.davidcbarnettbot.com/ Do Business with David using these incredible internet links... - David's Blog where you can find hundreds of free videos and articles, https://www.DavidCBarnett.com - Book a call with David and let him help you with your project, https://www.CallDavidCBarnett.com - Learn how to buy a successful and profitable business in a risk-controlled way https://www.BusinessBuyerAdvantage.com - Get help selling your business, https://www.HowToSellMyOwnBusiness.com - Get better organized in your business, https://www.EasySmallBizSystems.com - Learn to make better cash flow forecasts and write incredibly effective business plans from scratch!, https://www.BizPlanSchool.com - Learn to build an equity asset with insurance! visit https://www.NewBankingSolution.com Youtube music licensing code: 5PJWQOE5ZZHTQSRY

May 18, 202627 min

20 Top 40 Questions about Buying a Business

**New Video Alert! Over the years, I’ve answered thousands of questions about buying businesses. So I decided to compile the most common ones into a single resource. In this video, I walk through the top 40 questions people ask about buying a business — including financing, valuation, due diligence, seller financing, and avoiding bad deals. Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/sAppFl2SN-Q Cheers See you over on YouTube David C Barnett **** TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Intro 01:20 What Is the David C Barnett Bot? 04:00 Top Questions About Buying a Business 05:10 How Much Money Do You Need? 07:20 Can You Buy a Business With No Money Down? 09:30 What Businesses Should You Target? 12:00 How to Find Businesses for Sale 15:10 How to Get Sellers & Brokers to Take You Seriously 18:30 Business Valuation Basics 23:20 Due Diligence Mistakes 28:15 Financing & Seller Notes 33:10 Earn-Outs & Deal Structures 37:00 What Happens After Closing? 40:15 Final Thoughts **** - Join David's email list so you never miss any new videos or important information or insights, RECEIVE 7 FREE GIFTS!!- https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com **** Special Xero offer: Get 90% off for 6 months using this link: https://referrals.xero.com/DavidCBarnett_xero. Terms & Conditions apply.* Find more content that answers your questions with my new AI BOT: https://www.davidcbarnettbot.com/ Do Business with David using these incredible internet links... - David's Blog where you can find hundreds of free videos and articles, https://www.DavidCBarnett.com - Book a call with David and let him help you with your project, https://www.CallDavidCBarnett.com - Learn how to buy a successful and profitable business in a risk-controlled way https://www.BusinessBuyerAdvantage.com - Get help selling your business, https://www.HowToSellMyOwnBusiness.com - Get better organized in your business, https://www.EasySmallBizSystems.com - Learn to make better cash flow forecasts and write incredibly effective business plans from scratch!, https://www.BizPlanSchool.com - Learn to build an equity asset with insurance! visit https://www.NewBankingSolution.com Youtube music licensing code: 5PJWQOE5ZZHTQSRY

May 14, 202648 min

Better Cash Flow Management for Small Busines

Better Cash Flow Management for Small Business Owners Why do so many small businesses struggle with cash flow — even when sales are strong? In this special roundtable discussion, I sit down with experienced business owners and advisors to discuss the realities of managing cash flow in a small business. We explore common mistakes business owners make, how to improve financial discipline, and practical ways to create stronger, healthier businesses. Joining me are: *Rocky Lalvani – Profit Answer Man Podcast *Giuseppe Grammatico – Franchise Freedom Podcast *Henry Lopez – The How of Business Podcast Together, we discuss the realities of starting a business, buying an existing operation, and investing in a franchise opportunity. This is part one of a special three-part series exploring the lifecycle of small business ownership. This is a ‘must see event’ for anyone considering entrepreneurship or exploring different ways to become a business owner. Be sure to join live so that you can ask questions, replay will be available. Set yourself a reminder on YouTube here: See you there! David C Barnett **** DCB Cash Flow Forecasting & Business Plan Writing Program- Save $100 May 2026 ONLY: https://dbarnett.gumroad.com/l/smallbizforecasting/CashFlow2YTPromo Links to our guests channels: *Rocky Lalvani-Profit Answer Man on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCKlxo8XQE9n6rFmlNpQHegg *Henry Lopez- The How of Business on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCTen53dRJ5m6tgPgSIN3XEg *Giuseppe Grammatico- Franchise Freedom Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCxWsxLRngbxJEH2m8w-ptYw **** Get 90% off your first 6 months of Xero Cloud Accounting: https://referrals.xero.com/DavidCBarnett_xero See why David chose Xero for his business here: https://youtu.be/LfaGUfwStqo Join David's Email list and get 7 FREE gifts: https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com **** - Join David's email list so you never miss any new videos or important information or insights, RECEIVE 7 FREE GIFTS!!- https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com **** Special Xero offer: Get 90% off for 6 months using this link: https://referrals.xero.com/DavidCBarnett_xero. Terms & Conditions apply.* See why I chose Xero for my business here: https://youtu.be/LfaGUfwStqo Find more content that answers your questions with my new AI BOT: https://www.davidcbarnettbot.com/ Do Business with David using these incredible internet links... - David's Blog where you can find hundreds of free videos and articles, https://www.DavidCBarnett.com - Book a call with David and let him help you with your project, https://www.CallDavidCBarnett.com - Learn how to buy a successful and profitable business in a risk-controlled way https://www.BusinessBuyerAdvantage.com - Get help selling your business, https://www.HowToSellMyOwnBusiness.com - Get better organized in your business, https://www.EasySmallBizSystems.com - Learn to make better cash flow forecasts and write incredibly effective business plans from scratch!, https://www.BizPlanSchool.com - Learn to build an equity asset with insurance! visit https://www.NewBankingSolution.com Youtube music licensing code: 5PJWQOE5ZZHTQSRY