Ep 263 “Buying a Business the Right Way with Jed Morris

12 snips

Jul 15, 2025

Jed Morris, an acquisition entrepreneur and advisor, shares his journey of buying and operating businesses. He discusses surprising challenges he faced during the transition from tech to acquisitions, including a cautionary tale of a failed deal. Jed busts myths tech professionals often believe about small business, and reveals why traditional resources may overlook crucial realities. He emphasizes the importance of cash flow management, practical experience, and building a trustworthy network for aspiring acquirers.

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INSIGHT

People Create Business Value

A business's value comes from people creating something together, not just revenue or assets.
Cash matters most: without sufficient cash you go out of business quickly.

ADVICE

Decide Your Long-Term Base Case

Decide the lifestyle you want before buying a business and accept that most small firms never sell.
Be comfortable owning the business for 15–20 years as your base case.

ADVICE

Plan For Real-World Change Resistance

Expect heavy resistance to digital change from customers and staff and plan change management accordingly.
Replace or retrain people if they block essential operational shifts.

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“Buying a Business the Right Way — Lessons from the Front Lines”
Guest: Jed Morris — Acquisition Entrepreneur, Operator, and Advisor
Connect with Jed on LinkedIn

In this episode of The Silicon Valley Podcast, we sit down with Jed Morris, a seasoned acquisition entrepreneur with firsthand experience navigating the highs and lows of buying and operating businesses. Jed shares candid lessons from his own journey — including what went wrong, what he’d do differently, and the hard-won wisdom you won’t find in most search fund playbooks or weekend bootcamps.

Whether you’re from a tech background looking to buy your first brick-and-mortar company or an aspiring searcher wanting to avoid costly missteps, Jed brings invaluable insights you won’t want to miss.

💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:

How Jed transitioned into the world of business acquisitions — and what surprised him most
The full story behind a failed acquisition and the lessons that came from it
Common myths tech professionals believe when entering the small business world
Why weekend courses and YouTube content often miss the most critical realities of buying a business
How to realistically assess risk when using leverage to buy a company
The disadvantages search funds face compared to PE firms — and how to overcome them
Frameworks and tools Jed recommends for first-time acquirers
How to spot trouble early in a distressed business — and what buyers should watch out for
A cautionary tale you’ll want to hear before signing any LOI
The role of operational fit, management, and culture post-acquisition
Overlooked sectors and exciting opportunities in today’s acquisition landscape

📬 Connect with Jed Morris:
To learn more, collaborate, or seek guidance in the acquisition space, reach out to Jed via LinkedIn.

🎧 Hosted by:
Shawn Flynn — Managing Director at SVH Capital and Host of The Silicon Valley Podcast
Learn more at www.SVHCapital.com

📌 Disclaimer:
The content provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. The views expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the views of SVH Capital, Finalis Securities LLC, or any affiliates.