

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 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
--
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

Sep 22, 2025 • 42min
LIVE- David Morgan- what_s up with gold and silver
Nosebleed commodity prices
New Livestream guest- David Morgan
I’m happy to have David join me on a live broadcast.
I was going to have David on to discuss how he evaluates the worthiness of mining stocks.
It’s all about proven reserves and extraction costs.
But hey, Gold is hitting all-time highs and silver is on a tear so we’d better just talk about that too, right?
This is a ‘must see event’ for anyone who might do some investing some day.
Find David on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedavidmorgan/
Find his website at https://www.themorganreport.com/dcb
****
- 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 17, 2025 • 32min
Customer Concentration Risk: The Hidden Danger Most Small Businesses Ignore
Customer Concentration Risk
***New Video Alert!
I’ve been making YouTube videos for 11 years and this is the first one about customer concentration??
Today, we fix that and look at this from all points of view.
Sellers
Buyers
Bankers
Check it out in this week’s new video: https://youtu.be/1t-MdRHTijQ
Cheers
See you over on YouTube
David C Barnett
#smallbusiness #mergersandacquisitions #M&A #CustomerConcentration #BusinessAcquisition #BusinessValuation #ExitStrategy #DealStructuring #SmallBusinessRisks #EntrepreneurshipTips #BusinessBuyerAdvantage #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth
#BusinessStrategy #FinancialFreedom #BusinessPodcast #BusinessCoaching #StartupTips
***
0:00 Intro
01:15 What Is Customer Concentration Risk?
03:40 Why Customer Concentration Matters in Small Business
06:10 Buyer’s Perspective | Risks of Losing a Major Customer
09:05 Seller’s Perspective | Why Many Owners Overlook the Risk
12:30 Lender’s Perspective | SBA Rules & Financing Challenges
15:20 Real-World Examples of Customer Concentration Problems
19:45 Deal Structures Buyers Use to Manage Concentration Risk
23:50 Strategies for Sellers | Reducing Concentration Before Exit
27:15 Industry Concentration vs. Customer Concentration
30:40 Switching Costs & Customer Stickiness Explained
34:20 What If a Business Has Only One Customer?
37:50 How Customer Concentration Affects Business Valuation
41:30 Risk Mitigation | Earnouts, Seller Financing & Holdbacks
45:00 Long-Term Solutions for Buyers and Sellers
48:10 Final Thoughts | Why Diversification Protects Business Value
49:30 Resources for Buyers & Sellers | BusinessBuyerAdvantage.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

Sep 15, 2025 • 59min
LIVE Jeff Holman Trademarks_ Patents and Franchise Investing
Live Trademarks, Patents and Franchise Investing
New Livestream guest- Jeff Holman
I’m happy to have Jeff Holaman join me on a live broadcast.
Jeff has 20+ years of experience solving complex business and legal problems for entrepreneurs and companies in growth phases.
Tune in and we'll be discussing having your very own attorney on staff!
Well, part of one anyways.
We’ll also be talking about patents, trademarks and the effects of tariffs on e-commerce businesses.
This is a ‘must see event’ for Franchise Investors & Operators, Entrepreneurs.
Find Jeff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holman/
Jeff's website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holman/
You may also enjoy this video I did about IP and Brand value in small business: https://youtu.be/0CcQV2yiycI

Sep 10, 2025 • 25min
Depreciation vs. Capex Buyer's Biggest Mistakes
This discussion illuminates the crucial concepts of depreciation and capital expenditures in business transactions. Misinterpretations can lead to costly pricing mistakes for buyers and sellers. The conversation emphasizes the significance of understanding replacement costs over mere financial metrics. Listeners also gain insight into how these elements impact business valuation, particularly in small enterprises. It's a solid reminder that clarity is key to successful deal-making!

Sep 8, 2025 • 54min
LIVE- Ashish Gupta Soothe growing pains with a fractional COO
Soothe growing pains with a fractional COO
New Livestream guest- Ashish Gupta
I’m happy to have Ashish join me on a live broadcast.
He’s got operational experience in making things go smoothly across a great array of business sizes and types.
Tune in and as we’ll be discussing how a growing business can take advantage of a fractional Chief Operating Officer while controlling costs vs. having a full time expert on staff.
This is a ‘must see event’ for anyone growing quickly in their business or who knows they suffer from bottlenecks and clients who regularly ‘slip through the cracks’ of how you would like them to be served.
Be sure to join live so that you can ask questions, replay will be available.
Set yourself a reminder on YouTube here: https://youtube.com/live/I9HhK21cdr0
We’ll be going live September 08, 2025 1 PM Atlantic Time and 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