Most first-time buyers take more than a year to close their first acquisition—and rushing the process is how people wash out.

In this episode of JackQuisitions, Jack welcomes back Chris Barr for a 1-year search update and a realistic breakdown of what it takes to buy a business the right way. They discuss why “perfect deals” don’t exist, how to choose the problems you’re willing to own, and why community-based sourcing can beat cold outreach.

Chris shares his hyper-local strategy in Palm Beach County through the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, and nonprofit board work, plus what he’s seeing across tree service, fencing, landscaping, and other on-market opportunities.

You’ll learn:

• Why most deals take 12–18+ months
• How Chris is sourcing locally (and killing deals faster)
• What categories are heating up in 2026
• Why search communities matter more than ever

💼 Shoutout to Quick Staffers LLC

Need trained HVAC & plumbing CSRs at a fraction of the cost? Quick Staffers LLC specializes in placing top-tier global talent with the best SOPs and scripts.

🔥 Get $1,000 off your first placement here

💼 Special Thanks to First Internet Bank!

Looking to buy or expand a business? First Internet Bank is a National Preferred SBA lender specializing in acquisitions for the skilled trades. Their SBA loan program offers up to 90% financing for business acquisitions, partner buyouts, and commercial real estate—plus optional lines of credit to fuel future growth. Unlike traditional lenders, they take a “how can we” approach, making deals happen for both first-time buyers and experienced operators.

👉 Special Offer: Mention Owned and Operated for a reduced good faith deposit and a complimentary deal review + buyside prequalification.

Connect with Alan Peterson from First Internet Bank here

💼 Extra Special Thanks to Service Scalers!

We’ve been partnering with Service Scalers to maximize our Local Service Ads (LSAs) and optimize our Google My Business profiles, and the results have been incredible. With hundreds of thousands in sales and 900+ calls in a single week, GMBs are now our top-performing organic lead channel.
Want to learn how Service Scalers can do the same for you?

🔗Check Them Out Here

Connect

Jack Carr

Send us a text

Jackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus.

🖊️ Sign up HERE for more insights


📢 Enjoyed the episode?
✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly insights on business acquisitions, deal flow, marketing, and growth strategies!

📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.