Roll-up opportunity with first acquisition?

September 17, 2025

by a searcher from North Carolina State University in Dallas, TX, USA

[First post] My offer was just accepted to purchase a home staging company (Business A). At the same time, another home staging (Business B) became available, and the broker suggested a potential roll-up. The businesses are in different markets but within three hours of each other. I’m still analyzing the numbers to decide whether to submit an LOI for Business B, but I’d love to hear from anyone who has done back-to-back acquisitions or a roll-up. Any advice on approach, pitfalls to avoid, or lessons learned would be greatly appreciated. I'll be using an SBA 7(a) loan for at least one business but the price of both would be under the SBA max.

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Reply by a searcher
from Vanderbilt University in Dallas, TX, USA

I’d be more than happy to share experiences, but the biggest challenge is clear: how you intend to integrate them. There are so many variables that listing them all here along with the risks and mitigation strategies wouldn’t be possible. At the end of the day, especially if you’ve never owned a business like this, if you choose to do this, you have to have a visionary and the integrator. You need both, and it is a very rare individual that can wear both hats. Systems and processes, change management, project management and a clear understanding of how to implement the tech stack will be how you achieve synergies. At the same time, even in small businesses, when people buy into the vision, you gain momentum. In short, from someone that has done this and managed to survive, don’t go into this with the idea that you can be all things, know your strengths. Given that, if you do choose to go forward, you might, instead of going SBA, instead consider an equity partner with access to the resources (HR, Accounting, Legal, IT) and put your plan together not for two, but for 10. Think bigger, craft your thesis, tell your story, and the right partner will inevitably emerge. 2 is really hard###-###-#### … much different story.

Reply by a searcher
from University of Texas at Austin in Dallas, TX, USA

I don't have any advice to offer because we have done two acquisitions back to back but they weren't roll ups. Just wanted to congratulate you and say I love to see a fellow sista making it happen in the M&A world. Keep going and hope to connect one day but until then rooting for your continued success sis :)

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