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

Oct 30, 2025 • 46min
Don't Buy Business Notes with David Barnett
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.

Oct 29, 2025 • 21min
Before You Hire a Business Broker—Watch This!
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.

Oct 27, 2025 • 54min
Get the most from the online review game with minimal effort
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
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- 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

Oct 22, 2025 • 26min
Top 5 Biggest Mistakes when trying to sell a business
***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

Oct 15, 2025 • 34min
The Surprising Truth About Investing in Golf Courses
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
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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
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****
- 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

Oct 8, 2025 • 16min
Why Goodwill Matters When Buying & selling Business
***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
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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.
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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
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#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

Oct 6, 2025 • 58min
Spiritual Intelligence in Small Business | How Purpose & Alignment Drive Success
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
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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

Oct 1, 2025 • 34min
What If Your Resume Could Help You Buy a Business?
#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

Sep 29, 2025 • 1h 2min
Premiere From Baristas to Wealth Planners for business owners
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

Sep 24, 2025 • 31min
Silver Tsunami 2025 Explained | Baby Boomer Business Sales & Closures
***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


