Amazon Book Review – Buy Then Build: How Acquisition Entrepreneurs Outsmart the Startup Game — Walker Deibel
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ABOUT THE BOOK
Buy Then Build offers a paradigm-shifting argument for entrepreneurs and business professionals: instead of founding a startup from scratch—with its well-documented 90%+ failure rate—consider acquiring an established, profitable business and scaling it. Drawing from author Walker Deibel’s own experience as an acquisition entrepreneur, this book provides a step-by-step approach to buying existing companies as a faster, less risky path to financial freedom and impact.
Deibel details the full acquisition lifecycle: sourcing deal flow, evaluating companies, performing due diligence, structuring offers, working with brokers, and closing deals. Notably, he introduces practical tips for using lending—rather than venture capital—to finance business purchases, thus retaining equity and gaining immediate control and cash flow. The book arms you with actionable frameworks and checklists, including how to understand seller discretionary earnings (SDE), negotiate with sellers, and transition into business ownership.
Real-world examples, cautionary tales, and candid evaluation of risks versus rewards make the material realistic and accessible. The guide demystifies the process, and even those unfamiliar with M&A can grasp the fundamental steps. While some readers wish for deeper dives into market assessment or cross-border financing, Buy Then Build remains a standout resource for those seeking traction quickly without inventing the next big idea.
WHY THIS BOOK
Buy Then Build challenges conventional wisdom in the entrepreneurial world. For executives and go-getters unimpressed by the lottery odds of startups, it presents a logical, data-backed alternative: become a business owner from day one, with tangible assets, operations, and customers. The book helps you sidestep common mistakes, maximizes your capital efficiency, and provides a robust blueprint for leveraging acquisition as a growth strategy—particularly compelling for those interested in corporate finance, business growth, or succession planning.
WHO IS RECOMMENDED TO READ THIS BOOK?
- CEOs, business owners, and senior executives considering growth via acquisition
- Early-stage founders seeking to minimize risk and maximize return
- Investors and professionals in corporate finance or business valuation
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Walker Deibel is a serial acquisition entrepreneur, investor, and advisor with extensive direct experience buying and scaling businesses. He has acquired multiple companies in diverse industries and is known for his practical approach to entrepreneurship outside of Silicon Valley mythos. Deibel is also an M&A advisor and certified M&A professional, blending hands-on expertise with teaching, making his insights highly actionable for both newcomers and experienced operators.
