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

David C. Barnett, a small-business deal expert and author, sheds light on the pitfalls of investing in business notes. He highlights the risks of reliance on cash flow and goodwill rather than tangible property. Topics include the complexities of lien priority, non-compete enforceability, and the importance of thorough due diligence. Barnett also warns about misleading financial statements and the necessity of industry knowledge to mitigate fraud. Plus, he shares insights on networking for private deals and the dangers of the secondary market.

Explore the intriguing dynamics between business brokers and owners as the host tackles viewer questions. Discover how brokers get paid and why their motives matter to sellers. Learn to differentiate between seasoned professionals and amateurs in the brokerage world. Uncover the pitfalls of relying solely on flashy branding and how to assess a broker's true value. Valuable insights will empower you to navigate the brokerage landscape and protect your interests, whether you're buying or selling a business.

New Livestream guest- George Swetlitz from Right Response AI I’m happy to have George join me on a live broadcast. George understands the world of online advertising and has lead real world business rollups that depended on local advertising. Tune in and as we’ll be discussing online reviews and how it is crucial in getting customers from platforms such as Google Maps. This is a ‘must see event’ for anyone who does business with customers. Be sure to join live so that you can ask questions, replay will be available. Find George online at http://rightresponseai.com/podcasts/barnett Holiday Chat 2025 slots are now open https://calendly.com/dbarnett/2025-holiday-chatsecretcode January 2026- I'm coming to Vancouver, BC and Austin, TX. Join me for a Business Buyer Boardroom mastermind session. https://www.BusinessBuyerBoardroom.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 **** 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.CallDavidBarnett.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 -Did you sign up for an expensive Merchant Cash Advance for your business and now struggle to make the payments? Find out how you can negotiate your way out at https://www.EndMyMCA.com

***New Video Alert! Thinking about selling your small business now or maybe a few years down the road? In this week’s video, I’m breaking down the top five mistakes that quietly destroy business sales before they ever reach the finish line. We’ll talk about why sloppy books kill credibility with buyers and banks, how a “you-dependent” business scares off deals, and why waiting too long to prepare might mean missing your best shot at selling. Whether you’re planning to sell soon or someday, this one will help you see your business through a buyer’s eyes and avoid the traps that make good companies unsellable. Watch here: https://youtu.be/V-63WwII-TI Talk soon, David C. Barnett **** - 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 **** 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.CallDavidBarnett.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 -Did you sign up for an expensive Merchant Cash Advance for your business and now struggle to make the payments? Find out how you can negotiate your way out at https://www.EndMyMCA.com

Have you ever wondered if golf courses actually make money — or if they’re just expensive pieces of land? In this video, I answers a viewer’s question about owning and selling a golf course, exploring how property value and business profit interact in the real world. From public and private courses to banquet operations and land development, you’ll learn what really drives value in this unique industry. What you’ll learn in this video: * Are golf courses profitable businesses or just land investments? * The difference between selling property and selling profit * How weather, seasonality, and debt affect golf course margins * Why private clubs and government courses skew the market * When land value exceeds business value — and what that means for owners * How to plan your exit or sale if you own a golf course -- Chapters 00:00 Intro 02:00 Viewer Question: Property vs. Profit 05:00 Understanding the Golf Course Business Model 07:30 Industry Size & Revenue Breakdown 10:00 Weather, Margins & Seasonality 12:40 Importance of Bars, Catering & Events 15:30 Story: The Failed Investor-Owned Golf Course 19:00 Public vs. Private vs. Government-Owned Courses 23:00 Why Some Golf Courses Lose Money 26:00 Property vs. Profit | What Are You Really Selling? 30:00 How to Value a Golf Course (EBITDA Multiples) 34:00 Real Case Study | Hidden Subsidies & Overhead 38:00 Golf Courses as Land Banks | Myth or Strategy? 42:00 Developer Example | When the Bank Owns the Course 46:00 Seasonality | North vs. South Economics 50:00 Key Takeaways for Golf Course Owners 54:00 Profit, Property & Exit Planning 58:00 Why Passion Can Mislead Golf Investors 01:02:00 Advice for Owners Near Retirement 01:06:00 How to Find Out What Your Golf Course Is Worth -- **** - 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 **** 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.CallDavidBarnett.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 -Did you sign up for an expensive Merchant Cash Advance for your business and now struggle to make the payments? Find out how you can negotiate your way out at https://www.EndMyMCA.com

***New Video Alert! Everyone loves a bit of good cheer, but what exactly is Goodwill? This week, some basic terminology and how it’s often misused when people are talking about buying and selling businesses. Check it out in this week’s new video: https://youtu.be/p_F_OJt-iLY Cheers See you over on YouTube David C Barnett #smallbusiness #mergersandacquisitions #M&A -- In this episode, I will breaks down what goodwill actually is — from its accounting definition to its real-world meaning in business valuation. You’ll learn how goodwill impacts deal structure, financial statements, and sale prices, plus how to figure out where the goodwill actually resides in a company. -- CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 01:30 Definition of Goodwill | Accounting vs. Colloquial 04:20 Why Goodwill Exists in Business Valuation 06:30 When a Business Has No Real Goodwill 09:00 Asset Value vs. Business Value Explained 12:15 Example | Goodwill on a Balance Sheet 15:30 How Goodwill Appears in Financial Statements 18:00 When Sellers Overvalue “Goodwill” 21:00 Understanding the Locus of Goodwill 23:30 Goodwill in the Owner 25:45 Goodwill in the Brand or Business 28:30 Goodwill in the Location 31:00 Risks of Non-Transferable Goodwill for Buyers 33:45 Tools to Analyze Goodwill (Locus Calculator) 36:00 Recap | When Goodwill Really Has Value 38:00 How ALP Helps Buyers Analyze Deals 40:00 Final Thoughts & BusinessBuyerAdvantage.com -- #GoodwillInBusiness #BusinessValuation #BuyingABusiness #SellingABusiness #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BusinessAcquisition #BusinessBuyerAdvantage #BusinessFinance #BusinessDeals #BusinessStrategy #DavidCBarnett **** - 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 **** 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.CallDavidBarnett.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 -Did you sign up for an expensive Merchant Cash Advance for your business and now struggle to make the payments? Find out how you can negotiate your way out at https://www.EndMyMCA.com

What does spiritual intelligence have to do with running a business? More than you might think. In this Livestream David C. Barnett talks with Dr. Yossi Amram, author, researcher, and leadership expert, about how spiritual intelligence can transform the way you lead, inspire teams, and find deeper purpose in your business. Together, they explore how values like truth, meaning, grace, wisdom, and transcendence can help entrepreneurs stay grounded, build better relationships, and improve bottom-line results — without losing their sense of self. 📌 What You’ll Learn: What “spiritual intelligence” really means (beyond religion) How it affects leadership, morale, and business outcomes The 5 key domains of spiritual intelligence How purpose and gratitude can transform your company culture Practical steps to align your business with your personal mission 🎧 Guest: Dr. Yossi Amram https://awakeningsi.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/yosiamram/ 🎙️ Host: David C. Barnett — DavidCBarnett.com 👉 Learn how to buy or grow a business: BusinessBuyerAdvantage.com 👉 Selling your business? Start here: HowToSellMyOwnBusiness.com -- CHAPTERS: 00:00 Livestream Intro | Spiritual Intelligence in Small Business 02:00 Meet Dr. Yossi Amram 04:20 From Tech CEO to Spiritual Researcher 08:40 What Is Spiritual Intelligence? 12:10 Emotional vs. Spiritual Intelligence 15:00 The Five Domains of Spiritual Intelligence 17:00 1. Meaning & Purpose in Business 21:00 2. Grace | Trust, Joy & Gratitude 24:30 3. Truth | Alignment & Integrity at Work 29:00 4. Consciousness & Wisdom in Leadership 33:30 5. Transcendence | Building Connection & Team Spirit 38:00 Applying Spiritual Intelligence in Small Business 43:30 Case Study | Kevin’s Story 48:00 Gratitude & Alignment in Daily Leadership 52:00 Using Intuition in Business Decisions 57:00 Future Research on Relationships & SI 01:02:00 How Small Business Owners Can Start Practicing SI 01:06:00 Closing Thoughts & Resources #SpiritualIntelligence #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #LeadershipDevelopment #BusinessGrowth #BusinessStrategy #MindfulLeadership #EmotionalIntelligence #BusinessSuccess #DavidCBarnett #EntrepreneurMindset **** - 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 **** 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.CallDavidBarnett.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 -Did you sign up for an expensive Merchant Cash Advance for your business and now struggle to make the payments? Find out how you can negotiate your way out at https://www.EndMyMCA.com

#BuyingABusiness #ProprietarySearch #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #BusinessAcquisition ***New Video Alert! Forbes magazine shares a secret that increases your odds of getting an interview by 115%. AND- it applies directly to those looking to buy a business as well. Check it out in this week’s new video: https://youtu.be/5Nt8QvY1hX4 Cheers See you over on YouTube David C Barnett #smallbusiness #mergersandacquisitions #M&A Get a job in a business you want to buy: https://youtu.be/oTObbWYtkl0 * CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 01:20 Why Buying a Business is Like Job Hunting 03:30 The Forbes Article | Tailored Resumes & ATS Filters 06:10 Parallels Between Job Search & Proprietary Business Search 08:00 First Impressions & The Buyer Resume 11:00 Gatekeepers, Brokers & Getting Ghosted 13:00 Clarity and Focus in Your Business Search 16:30 Why “Spray and Pray” Doesn’t Work 20:00 Standing Out in a Crowded Buyer’s Market 22:30 Defining Your Ideal Business Profile 25:00 Building Credibility with Sellers & Lenders 28:30 Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Outreach 31:00 Case Study | Hiring My Own Analyst 34:00 Tailored Outreach vs. Mass Emails 37:00 Lessons from John Bly & CPA Firm Acquisitions 40:00 Practical Steps for Proprietary Search Success 44:00 Building Sales & Business Experience Before Buying 47:00 How to Customize Your Buyer Pitch to Sellers 50:00 Why You Must Impress Business Owners First 53:00 Wrapping Up | Job Search Lessons for Business Buyers 56:00 Resources for Buyers & Sellers | BusinessBuyerAdvantage.com #BuyingABusiness #Entrepreneurship #BusinessAcquisition #SmallBusiness #ProprietarySearch #BusinessBuyerAdvantage #EntrepreneurshipTips #DealMaking #BusinessGrowth #ExitStrategy #businessstrategy ** - 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 **** 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.CallDavidBarnett.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 -Did you sign up for an expensive Merchant Cash Advance for your business and now struggle to make the payments? Find out how you can negotiate your way out at https://www.EndMyMCA.com

From Barista to Wealth Planners for Small Business Owners New Interview guest- Brandon & Amanda Neely CFP. I’m happy to have The Neeley’s join me for a one-on-one interview! They’ve got experience running a small business just like yours or the one you might run one day. Tune in and as we’ll be discussing the story of tragedy in their business, how they recovered and what they learned from my latest book. This is a ‘must see event’ for anyone who owns or will own a business one day. Set yourself a reminder on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/1H4uPZ9r1s0 It will be going live Monday September 29, 2025 at 1 PM Atlantic Time 12 Noon Eastern Time See you there! David C Barnett **** - 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 **** 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.CallDavidBarnett.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 -Did you sign up for an expensive Merchant Cash Advance for your business and now struggle to make the payments? Find out how you can negotiate your way out at https://www.EndMyMCA.com

***New Video Alert! 12 Million Baby-Boomer owned businesses up for sale in 2025!!! Must be a great opportunity, right? Hold your horses cowboy. There are a few things you need to know about first. Check it out in this week’s new video: https://youtu.be/yK-2Rgpbpmw Cheers See you over on YouTube David C Barnett *** 0:00 Introduction – Why gold & silver matter for small business 1:20 The hidden impact of inflation on business owners 3:10 Why gold and silver protect purchasing power 5:45 How precious metals diversify your wealth 7:30 Risks of ignoring gold & silver in financial planning 9:15 Practical advice for entrepreneurs using gold & silver 11:00 Final thoughts – Building wealth protection strategies #Gold #Silver #Inflation #WealthProtection #SmallBusiness #Investing #PreciousMetals #FinancialFreedom #MoneyTips #Entrepreneurship **** - 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 **** 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.CallDavidBarnett.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 -Did you sign up for an expensive Merchant Cash Advance for your business and now struggle to make the payments? Find out how you can negotiate your way out at https://www.EndMyMCA.com