605 – Finding the Right Small Business

605 – Finding the Right Small Business

Author: Henry Lopez April 27, 2026 Duration: 26:38

How to find the right business by evaluating whether to buy, build, or franchise while aligning with your finances, goals, and mindset.

Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/605-finding-the-right-small-business/

Choosing the right business is one of the most critical decisions an entrepreneur will ever make, and getting it wrong can cost years of time, money, and energy. In this roundtable discussion, Henry Lopez is joined by Giuseppe Grammatico, Rocky Lalvani, and David Barnett to break down how to approach finding the right business opportunity.

The conversation explores the key paths available to aspiring business owners - starting from scratch, buying an existing business, or investing in a franchise - and the pros and cons of each approach. The group emphasizes that before evaluating any opportunity, entrepreneurs must first shift their mindset and understand what it truly means to become a business owner.

Financial readiness is a major theme throughout this roundtable discussion. From understanding cash flow realities to avoiding unrealistic expectations about early profits, the panel highlights why having the right financial foundation is essential. They also dive into common mistakes buyers make during due diligence, including misinterpreting financial statements, overlooking hidden risks, and failing to validate assumptions.

A key takeaway from this conversation is the importance of aligning the business with your personal goals, lifestyle expectations, and tolerance for risk.

As Henry shares: "Be careful not to fall in love with the business before you finish the due diligence."

This episode sets the foundation for the rest of the series by helping you think critically about how to choose the right business and avoid costly mistakes early in the process.

This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run, grow and exit your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com


Henry Lopez hosts The How of Business-How to start, run, grow and exit a small business. It’s a practical resource for anyone who wants to move beyond just the idea of entrepreneurship and into the actual work of building something. Each week, the focus is on the tangible steps and decisions involved in a business’s entire lifecycle, from that initial launch through to managing daily operations, scaling up, and even planning a future exit. You’ll hear straightforward conversations that dig into specific topics, breaking down complex challenges into manageable advice. Often, Henry sits down with a small business owner who shares their real-world experiences-the successes and the setbacks-offering a genuine look at what it takes. This podcast is built on the understanding that running a business is a series of learned skills, and it aims to provide those lessons without fluff. Whether you're sketching your first plan on a napkin or steering an established company toward growth, the discussions here are meant to be directly applicable to your own journey. Tune in for a regular dose of clarity and concrete strategies from someone who understands the day-to-day realities you face.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The How of Business - How to start, run, grow and exit a small business.
Podcast Episodes
602 – Why Your Business is Stuck [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:01
How profitability and scalability constraints in your business model keep you stuck and how to diagnose and remove them to finally grow. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/602-why-your-business-is-stuck/ I…
601 – 2026 Franchise Trends with Giuseppe Grammatico [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:04
The latest in key franchise trends, including AI-driven efficiency, stronger franchisor support, and high-demand service industries. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/601-franchise-trends-giuseppe-grammat…
600 – Create Your Own Category with Kevin Maney [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:50
How small business owners can escape price-driven competition by redefining their market and creating a new category instead of competing in crowded spaces. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/600-kevin-man…
599 – When Should You Outsource Your Bookkeeping? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:18
When to outsource your bookkeeping, how outsourcing compares to hiring an in-house bookkeeper, and best practices for working effectively with a bookkeeping service. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/599-…
598 – Do Your Leaders Know the Score? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:50
If your leaders don't know how they're measured, you can't expect consistent performance or real ownership. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/598-do-your-leaders-know-the-score/ Frustrated with inconsiste…
597 – Why Your Business Will Sell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:07
Five practical reasons your small business will sell and how to intentionally build long-term exit value. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/597-why-your-business-will-sell/ Most business owners say they w…
596 – Marketing in the AI Era with Shannon Bailey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:10
How AI is reshaping small business marketing and why clear positioning and strong messaging matter more than ever. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/596-shannon-bailey-marketing-and-ai/ Branding and messa…
595 – Plan to Succeed, but Prepare to Fail [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:30
Planning improves your odds of success, but accepting risk, making decisions with incomplete information, and learning quickly from failure are what ultimately move a business forward. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehow…
R423 – Overcoming Decision Paralysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:46
How to overcome Decision Paralysis - assessing risk, limiting over analysis, and taking action are essential to moving a business forward. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/r423-overcoming-decision-paraly…
594 – At-Will Employment with Claudia St. John [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:34
What At-Will Employment really means for small business owners. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/594-claudia-stjohn-at-will-employment/ At-will employment gives small business owners flexibility, but mis…