Buy It or Build It? A Different Approach to Grow Your Business

Growth doesn't always mean starting from scratch. Sometimes the next opportunity is a business that's already been built. In this episode of *Out of the Hourglass*, Colin Nolan, Director of Coaching and Senior Business Coach at Nolan Consulting Group, sits down with Steven Lawton, Founder of Tended Seed Business Development and Associate Coach, to explore a different approach to business growth: strategic acquisitions. For many trades business owners, growth means hiring more employees, expanding services, or entering new markets organically. But acquiring an existing business can offer another path to increasing revenue, expanding market presence, and building long-term value. Steven shares lessons from decades of buying and growing businesses, including how to identify the right opportunities, evaluate potential acquisitions, and recognize when a deal may not be worth pursuing. The conversation explores what makes an acquisition successful beyond the purchase price. From preserving valuable employees and understanding the existing company culture to identifying operational opportunities, Steven explains why the people and systems behind a business can be just as important as its financial performance. Colin and Steven also discuss the realities of finding acquisition opportunities, including the patience required to build relationships with business owners who may not be ready to sell. Steven shares how a strategic approach to acquisitions can create opportunities for accelerated growth, including an example of revenue increasing fourfold in just seven months. Throughout the conversation, one question remains central: Is it better to build your next stage of growth internally or acquire a business that already has the people, customers, and infrastructure in place? Whether you're considering your first acquisition, exploring expansion opportunities, or simply looking for a different way to grow your business, this episode offers practical insights into evaluating opportunities and making decisions that support long-term success. In this episode, we cover: Why acquiring a business can be an alternative to organic growth How to decide whether to buy an existing business or build from within Identifying acquisition opportunities that align with your long-term vision Evaluating potential purchases and recognizing deal-breakers Why the highest purchase price doesn't always create the best deal The importance of preserving talent during an acquisition How existing teams, customers, and infrastructure can accelerate growth Building relationships with business owners before they're ready to sell The realities of acquisition outreach and closing deals How strategic acquisitions can open doors to new markets Lessons from growing revenue fourfold in seven months Balancing financial opportunity with company culture and operational fit What business owners should consider before pursuing an acquisition Guests *Colin Nolan* Director of Coaching & Senior Business Coach Nolan Consulting Group *Steven Lawton* Founder, Tended Seed Business Development Associate Coach Watch the full episode on YouTube, or listen on your podcast platform of choice.