For decades, the startup path has dominated the entrepreneurial narrative: build something from scratch, bootstrap or raise VC money, grind until it sticks. But a growing group of ambitious entrepreneurs is choosing a different route, one with cash flow from day one, proven products, and real teams already in place.

It’s called EntrepreneurshipThrough Acquisition (ETA)—and it's reshaping what modern business ownership looks like. Thanks to the variety of small and medium businesses for sale, there are opportunities that will fit most searchers’ budget, time, and lifestyle demands.

🚀 What Is ETA?

ETA is the process of buying an existing small or medium-sized business instead of starting one from zero. It’s how many first-time owners become CEOs overnight, stepping into a business that already has customers, revenue, and infrastructure.

Rather than building from nothing, ETA operators acquire, optimize, and grow—with a focus on operational excellence, leadership, and long-term value. It’s a problem-solvers dream! Even though we hope that the business you buy is ripe with profits, there will always be room for improvement, and that is why an education about the inner workings of the ETA world is vital.

💡 Why More Entrepreneurs Are Choosing ETA

✅ Built-In Revenue

You don’t need to spend months building an MVP and wondering if the market wants it. The business already works—you just make it better. Before buying, a searcher dives into the detailed finances of the potential businesses. They get to analyze the business portfolio and inner workings, to make sure the financial details are accurate, and then decide if buying is the right decision. When the finances make sense, a searcher becomes an owner and phase two of the ETA adventure begins.

✅ Proven Product-Market Fit

No guesswork. You’re walking into a business with customers who are already paying. The details of the business are the proof. Our SMBash attendees and speakers share their market-focused stories of success and failure, because the SMBash attendees know that as business owners we make a difference in our communities, and thus, sharing wins and losses is part of our atmosphere.

✅ Opportunity for Strategic Growth

Many acquired businesses have untapped potential—new markets, better pricing, modern systems. With the right leadership, you can scale fast. Both the operator and the searcher track will have speakers addressing the various facets of what makes a good leader. KPI’s – when you have the facts you can lead effectively. Legal and Accounting – when your house is in order, employees feel secure in their roles. We've got all the details covered.

✅ Clear Path to Equity and Wealth

Unlike a startup where founders may exit with little to show, ETA puts you on a track to real ownership and long-term upside. Whether you plan to buy and hold or hope to sell one day, the goals are the same: improvement, efficiency, and profits! We will have speakers share what their first week as an owner was like and speakers who will share about their life after selling. Each ETA journey is unique, when you attend a business conference like SMBash, you will have multiple opportunities to connect with business folk who have been in your shoes.

📚 Where to Learn More About ETA

One of the best places to learn about ETA isn’t on Twitter threads or podcasts, though we do have a blast there—it’s in the room with owners, operators, and investors who are in the trenches of the work.

That’s exactly what SMBash was built for. It’s a business conference designed for the ETA community:before, during, and after your search for the perfect business to buy. No matter where you are in your ETA journey, there is content for you. But the best part – the connections! We have had deals close, and partnerships built within the 3-day window of SMBash. People who attend SMBash are serious searchers, owners, and operators. Are you one of them?

🎤 Learn ETA the Real Way—at SMBash

At SMBash, you’ll meet searchers, operators, and investors all working within the ETA model. The sessions are tactical, the conversations are candid, and the community is deeply invested in helping each other succeed.

Expect topics like:

• Deal sourcing and financing
• Operator playbooks
• Post-close leadership
• Scaling strategies
• Exit planning

If you’re serious about ETA, SMBash gives you the playbook—and the people—to do it right. Want a sample of what to expect, checkout the schedule from 2024.

📍 Dallas, TX
🗓️ April 22–24, 2026
🎟️ Tickets at smbash.com