Deal Lab

Practical post-acquisition playbooks for solo acquirers and micro-PE operators

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Day 1 · Jan 14

Your First 5 Days After Close: What Actually Needs to Happen

The window right after closing is when most buyers freeze. Here's the exact sequence to follow so nothing falls through the cracks.

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Playbook · Jan 8

The 90-Day Integration Blueprint for Micro-PE Deals

A practical month-by-month framework for integrating a business you've just acquired under $5M.

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Lessons · Dec 28

Why Most Acquirers Regret Buying (And How to Avoid It)

Day 1 excitement fades fast when cash flow tightens and operations unravel. We look at the root causes and what to do differently.

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AI · Dec 19

How We Use AI Tools to Run Day 1 Operations at Scale

From onboarding checklists to vendor communication — a look at the LLM stack that keeps new acquisitions running smoothly.

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Case Study · Dec 12

I Bought My First Business for $180K and Lost Everything

A candid post-mortem from a solo operator who learned post-acquisition integration the hard way.

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Templates · Nov 30

The Pre-Close Checklist Template That Saves Deals

Don't wait until after closing to discover gaps. This checklist covers the integration items every buyer should verify before signing.

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Finance · Nov 22

Managing Cash Flow in Your First 90 Days as a New Owner

Revenue doesn't come immediately after acquisition. Here's how to keep the lights on while you build operational stability.

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HR · Nov 15

Onboarding Your New Team After a Small Acquisition

The people you inherited are your biggest asset or your biggest liability. How you communicate in the first week sets the tone.

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