Practical, sourced answers for first-time buyers, searchers, and owners buying their second business and beyond. Written by Joel Arberman, who has taken 17 companies public and advises acquisition entrepreneurs through Meraki Partners, LLC. Our view is that the most valuable acquisition strategy is a holding company, and at scale, sometimes a public one.
For searchers and owners buying their second business and beyond: structure, capital, roll-ups, paying sellers in stock, and whether to go public.
For owners weighing a listing: when it makes sense, the routes and costs, today's rules, and using public stock to keep buying.
For first-time buyers: readiness, finding deals, financing and SBA loans, valuation, diligence, letters of intent, closing and the first 90 days.
Start with the playbook. The first conversation is free.
Meraki Dealmakers is a service of Meraki Partners, LLC.
Meraki Partners, LLC is an advisory firm. It is not a broker-dealer, investment adviser, business broker, law firm or accounting firm, and does not solicit investors or receive compensation based on capital raised.
© 2026 Meraki Partners, LLC