How your age impacts acquisition opportunities (the truth)

You can buy a business at any age.

I’ve worked with students in their early 20s who’ve closed six and seven-figure deals, and I’ve worked with buyers in their 50s and 60s making their first acquisition.

Age itself isn’t the barrier most people think it is.

But if you’re younger (say, under 30), you will face one bigger challenge that older buyers don’t run into as often: trust.

The trust barrier for young buyers

Most businesses worth buying are owned by baby boomers who’ve been running them for decades.

These sellers are looking for someone they believe can successfully take over what they’ve built.

If you’re 23 with no management experience, no business track record, and show up to buy their 30-year-old HVAC company, they’re going to be skeptical.

And fair enough!

They want to know you can handle employees, manage cash flow, maintain customer relationships, and keep the business profitable.

How to overcome the trust gap

If you’re a younger buyer, you need to demonstrate capability in other ways:

1. Target businesses that match your experience

Online businesses (e-commerce, SaaS, content sites) often work better for younger buyers because you can demonstrate relevant skills without decades of traditional business experience.

2. Build a track record first

Even small wins matter!

Freelance projects, side hustles, managing people in your current job…

Anything that shows you can execute and be responsible.

3. Bring credibility through your team

Partner with someone more experienced, or assemble advisors who can vouch for your capability.

This dramatically increases seller confidence.

Ultimately…

Age matters less than competence, preparation, and how you present yourself.

Younger buyers have to work harder to build trust, but it’s absolutely doable with the right approach.

Focus on proving capability rather than worrying about your age, and the right seller will respond.

If you want more access to acquisition deals, I send out emails occasionally when I find interesting opportunities.

To get those emails, fill out the short form below:

👉 I want to buy (or invest as a silent partner into) a small business

Or, if you want to sell a small business, fill out the form below instead:

👉 I want to sell my small business (and I’m actively looking for buyers)

Onward,

— Ben Kelly