Business owners often start by asking themselves one question: Do I want to buy a business or do I want to start my own? Additionally, even those who own an existing business may ask if they want to purchase one during a merger or an acquisition.
There are certainly many benefits to starting your own business, and it does give you some level of creative freedom. But what are the advantages of buying one?
You have existing customers
Many business owners are worried about having cash flow, especially right after they open their doors. Buying a business means you already have existing customers. You already have name recognition. This makes it much easier to start generating income immediately.
You can see the pros and cons of the business model
The business that you’re buying may not be perfect, but you can at least see what works and what does not. This allows you to focus on emphasizing the areas that work and making improvements where they are needed. Starting your own business means you have to learn all of this as you go, but an existing business can give you an edge.
You can start running the company quickly
Finally, starting your own business may mean that it takes a lot of time before you make any sales. Some business owners spend a year or more simply getting the location ready to open. There can be a major delay, which isn’t always ideal. Buying an existing business means that you can be up and running quickly, generating revenue and income.
No matter what you decide to do, it’s important to take all of the proper legal steps as you work with your new business. Make sure you know what obligations you have and what options you can use to make things go smoothly.