How to Buy the Business You Work In

If you’re working inside a business and considering buying it, the first question isn’t “How do I structure the deal?” It’s “Am I actually ready for what ownership requires?”

In this episode, Alex and Byron break down the real-world path to buying the business you work in, using a veterinary practice example to keep it practical. They introduce Byron’s ICBM framework (Individual capability, Bankability, Mindset), explain why debt changes everything, and why many would-be buyers underestimate the pressure that comes with ownership.

They also outline a more bankable, staged approach to insider buyouts and why “easy” owner-financed deals can carry hidden risk for both buyer and seller.

Topics covered:
• The ICBM framework: Capability, Bankability, Mindset
• The biggest “mirage” buyers fall for before taking on debt
• Why leaders who can’t regulate under pressure lose talent fast
• The common gaps in successor readiness: sales + cashflow
• A staged buy-in structure banks are more likely to finance
• Why many owner-financed deals are riskier than they look

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