The Dream Is Ownership.
The Problem Is Permission.
Too many smart, capable people spend years waiting to feel "ready" for ownership. They wait for more experience, more savings, more certainty. But here’s the truth: The people who actually become entrepreneurs? They move before they’re 100% ready.
They take the leap without having it all figured out. They say yes, then figure out the next step.
And for a growing number of them, the moment of clarity came at SMBash. At SMBash, the stars collide in the form of the practical advice, applicable personal experiences, and industry knowhow of sponsors, speakers, and attendees too.
From Watching to Doing: Stories That Inspire Action
Why do people attend live events? It’s the chance to meet actual people, of course! Live events offer genuine connection in a way that social media can’t. Live events build community. So, let’s talk about a few potential characters you might meet at SMBash.
The Analyst Turned Operator
This person was working at some well-known PE firm. Smart, analytical, and totally drained. They attended SMBash out of curiosity, as many do the first time.
Within four months, they partnered with a friend, secured SBA financing, and acquired a logistics business doing $2.4M in revenue.
SMBash can help someone realize that it isn’t crazy for wanting to skip the partner track and own something instead. There are a lot of messages being thrown at you telling you what you should do to be happy. But the only voice that matters is yours. Our attendees share their experiences, how they learned to trust themselves, and how creating their own ETA journey freed them from living someone else’s dream.
The Person Who Bought Their Way Out of Middle Management
They weren’t looking for inspiration—they were looking for options. Their climb up the corporate ladder had stalled, and they didn’t want to start over somewhere else. They felt stuck, and honestly, a bit hopeless. It was hard to imagine a different path that could still provide them the life they wanted.
After seeing a random LinkedIn post that one of their friends shared, they bought a ticket to SMBash. While there, they met a seller looking to retire. Three months later, they closed on a local service business that now supports their entire family.
What changes by attending an event like SMBash? The list is endless! In this scenario, the person stopped asking if they were allowed to make a dramatic career shift. They allowed themselves to decide to be in charge of their own career path.
The SMBash Effect: Why This Room Is Different
You can scroll LinkedIn and convince yourself you’re learning—but clicking like or commenting on a strangers’ post is too passive for real change. You can listen to podcasts and tell yourself you’re preparing—but as soon as the podcast is over the good intentions fade away.
When you walk into SMBash, you meet the people who are doing it. And suddenly, the gap between "them" and "you" disappears. There are business operators and owners. There are lenders and brokers who eat, sleep, and breathe ETA. There are searchers in the various stages of the buying cycle.
You hear:
• How they found the deal
• What they paid
• What broke after close
• What they’d do differently
You realize: I can do this too.
“I believe small business owners and operators make the best American citizens. I get inspired to be around them. And that’s what SMBash does. It brings current owners here and it brings prospective owners here. We come together, we share knowledge, and good things happen.” — Reid Tileston, Speaker
"This is a place where you validate that your numbers are right and pick the brains of other entrepreneurs on the same path." — Ryan Kroge, First Internet Bank
What Happens When You Stop Waiting
You:
• Stop chasing more certifications
• Stop tweaking spreadsheets that never leave your desktop
• Stop asking Chat GPT if you’re ready
And you start:
• Taking meetings with brokers
• Building a search funnel
• Talking to lenders
• Imagining your name on the front door
At SMBash, that shift begins.
A Peek Behind the Curtain
Want to know what goes down at SMBash? You can follow us on socials and check out our past blog posts. We try to share as many schedule details as possible to make buying that ticket an easy choice. But, just for more assurance, at SMBash, you will find:
• Real operators sharing unfiltered stories
• Sponsors talking financing without the fluff
• Panelists breaking down real-life ETA challenges
• Attendees leaving with clarity and community
“The best thing from today (SMBash 2025) was break-through thinking. In terms of how to fund, and how to find the financing for a potential acquisition. — Catherine Cummings, First-Time Attendee
“I’m not a big conference guy. But I really love being at SMBash; it really energizes me. We’re buying businesses. We’re operating businesses. We’re learning how to grow together.” — Taylor Wallace, Pet Resort Owner
You Are Allowed to Make This Decision for Yourself!
You want ownership. You want freedom. You want to build something that outlasts your resume.
You don’t have to wait for someone to give it to you. You don’t have to come up with the next unicorn idea. You don’t even have to start from scratch. That is the beauty of the ETA path!
You can buy your way into entrepreneurship. There is an entire ecosystem of folks ready to help - you can learn what it takes. And the perfect place to start is at SMBash.
“This is fantastic... I took a leap of faith, and it was 100% worth it.” — Anonymous, First-Time Attendee
Ready Doesn’t Come.
Movement is essential.
If you’ve been thinking about it for months, maybe years... If you've saved blog posts and podcasts and SBA spreadsheets... If you're waiting for a sign that you're ready...
This is it.
SMBash 2025 is your chance to:
• Learn from people who’ve done it
• Get clarity on the ETA process
• Build relationships that open doors
You don’t need more permission. You need the right ticket.