They Got Acquired - Buyers want LESS of this

December 31, 2024
​Read on web​

What a 2024 it's been!

We have some great acquisition stories and advice posts coming up in early 2025.

But first, enjoy some of our most popular posts from 2024...

​A travel gear site lost 60% of traffic during the pandemic. Here’s how the company recovered​

In 2015, Tom Wahlin quit his job as a design manager at Apple to travel the world. He developed a passion for travel gear and launched Pack Hacker. Six years later, a buyer approached.

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​I sold my business for $25M. Here’s how I knew it was time to sell​

Founder Sharon Gillenwater wasn’t planning to sell her SaaS. Then she got a call from a private equity firm that made her re-think her next few years.

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​This software company went from struggling to find customers to selling for 16x revenue​

Wealth management software company HiddenLevers was at a crossroads. The founders could raise money or sell. They opted for the latter — and received a stunning 16x revenue multiple.

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​An SEO community with 750 paying members sold for $1.8 million​

Three co-founders sold an SEO education community, Traffic Think Tank, to global SEO leader Semrush for $1.8 million.

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​I sold my social media agency for 8 figures. Here’s how I increased our sale price​

Carrie Kerpen, who sold social media agency Likeable Media in 2021, explains how she approached increasing her company’s valuation before acquisition.

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How much is your business really worth?

You started from the bottom; now you’re here.
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But where exactly is here? Do you know the value of the business you’ve put so much effort into building?​
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​Don’t waste valuable time guessing or wrestling with complicated formulas. Empire Flippers’ free Online Business Valuation Tool makes it easy to calculate the value of your business in just minutes.

Here’s how it helps:

• Accurate valuation: Get a clear estimate based on real-time market data.
• Plan your exit strategy: Identify the right time to sell for maximum profit.
• Identify growth opportunities: Spot the areas that can boost your business’s value

Whether you’re planning to sell or just want to track your next big milestone, knowing the value of your business is the key to smarter, more confident decisions.

Why buyers will pay more for LESS of this

Buyers usually want more.

More revenue. More EBITDA. More brand. More upside.

But there's one thing they'll pay you to have LESS of:

Risk.

💰 That's right: Buyers will pay MORE when you REDUCE risk.

So ask yourself:

What can I do to reduce risk in my business in the coming year? 🤔

This might include:

• Adding a recurring revenue stream
• Making inbound leads more predictable
• Diversifying revenue or client base
• Removing owner dependencies

The best part is, when you reduce risk with the goal of attracting a good buyer...

💰 You'll also create a more reliable and more lucrative company for yourself.

What other ways are you thinking about reducing risk in 2025? I'd love to hear what you're up to.

See you next time,

Lexi Grant
Founder & CEO
​They Got Acquired​

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P.S. A personal win from 2024 that's worth celebrating: I chatted with 65 founders looking to sell their business! 😍

65 (free) calls!

It's inspiring to see what you're all building and so fulfilling to help when I can.

Some of those founders I strategized with already sold in the last year. For those of you still working toward an exit, I look forward to cheering you on in 2025. 🥂

Being a founder can be a lonely road, especially when you choose to do things differently and don't quite fit into the Silicon Valley model.

But there are SO MANY founders who sell for $20M, $10M, even $1M.

So going into a new year, know this: You aren't alone. In fact, you're in some darn good company. 🙌​