Seeking Advice: Self-Funded Searcher Without a Mastermind Group

Hello everyone,

My husband and I are self-funded searchers actively looking to acquire a business. We’ve primarily been targeting businesses in the $250K–$500K SDE range, limited by our available down payment. However, after joining this group, I’ve realized we’re playing in a much smaller space compared to many on here. I’m struggling to shift my mindset toward pursuing slightly larger deals ($750k - $1mm) that would likely require an equity partner.

The idea of bringing on an equity partner (or partners) is a bit daunting, as we’ve had some harrowing experiences in past business dealings. That said, I recognize that equity partnerships are fairly common in this space, and I’d love to hear from those who have successfully navigated this transition.

A couple of questions for the group:

1. Are there any ETA circles or communities where people bring deals to discuss the structure, risks, and potential strategies? I’m looking for something outside of mastermind groups, which often require a significant financial commitment ($10K–$20K+).
2. For those who were hesitant about taking on equity partners, how did you get comfortable with it? Any advice on structuring partnerships to mitigate risk and avoid misalignment?
3. How did you personally shift your mindset from small deals to slightly larger ones?

I’d really appreciate any insights or resources that could help guide us in this next phase. Thanks in advance!

Looking forward to learning from this group!