Unpopular opinion (maybe):

December 24, 2025

by a searcher in Grand Blanc, MI 48439, USA

I think many first-time searchers over-optimize for industry familiarity and under-optimize for execution advantage. I’d rather buy a business in a “boring” industry where I can apply automation, systems, and disciplined ops than chase a sexy vertical where I’m just another buyer. For those who’ve closed or are deep in diligence — did industry familiarity or execution skill matter more in practice?

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Reply by a lender
from Eastern Illinois University in 900 E Diehl Rd, Naperville, IL 60563, USA

Regardless of the industry, I have found the majority of the acquirers that are most successful are passionate about what they are doing. The passion can be for the industry they are working in, the processes they manage, or a combination of both. But if you are not passionate and interested in what you are doing, I have seen it can make it hard for people to stay engaged. Most searchers are looking to buy a career and not a job. So you want to be sure in the end what you are doing is something you enjoy. For those looking to improve something and flip it quick, they may care less about the passion and be more motivated by perceived margins. But for those wanting something to build on, be sure it is something that will sustain you personally. Life is short.

Reply by a searcher
from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in New York, NY, USA

Caleb, I think you're spot on. In browsing the forum, you'll find that 90% of conversations are likely geared towards acquisition and industry topics. But IMO, this indeed is the easy part, creating value post acquisition is where the money is made. These sellers are not dumb, and they are not lazy, had it been so "easy" to execute the value creation play, they would have done it themselves. Make sure you have a good "secret sauce" that can create value, and marry that to an industry you understand deeply.

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