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Virginia SBDC

Thinking about Entrepreneurship? How about Buying a Business or a Franchise? - *Webinar (Live)* - PW

Apr
29
2026
Wed, Apr 29 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Online
Facilitated by Mason SBDC
Topic: Business Basics

Overview of This Live Webinar:

Switching from having a job to running your own business is not as hard as you might imagine. This workshop provides the framework to help you decide if entrepreneurship is right for you and whether you should pursue a non-franchise acquisition (ETA) or license a franchise.

Designed for first-time buyers, especially later-stage career professionals interested in owning a business, this session explores the realities of buying into an established cash flow versus starting from zero.

Key Learning Objectives:

By the end of this workshop, attendees will be able to:

  • Compare Business Models: Understand the difference between buying an independent operation (ETA) versus a franchise system, including the impact on creativity, control, and costs.
  • Analyze Financial Viability: Understand how to see if the business is priced correctly and displays signs of good financial health.
  • Master the Sourcing Process: Discover how to build a "deal funnel," from signing NDAs to executing a binding Letter of Intent (LOI) and managing due diligence.
  • Navigate Financing: Understand how to finance the purchase.
  • Identify Red Flags: Learn strictly defined "pass" criteria, such as high customer concentration (>30% revenue from one client) or declining 3-year growth trends.
  • Evaluate Franchises: Gain insight into estimating the total investment costs including royalty structures, and the reality of being an owner-operator vs. a semi-absentee owner.

Who Should Attend:

  • First-time business buyers or recently laid-off professionals looking to control their own destiny.
  • Individuals interested in opportunities close to home in the DC Metro (MD/DC/VA) market.
  • Aspiring owners willing to leverage assets and personal guarantees to build their business.

Speaker: Subodh Nayar - Senior Business Counselor (Mason SBDC), Small Business Owner & Serial Entrepreneur.

Co-sponsor(s) & Partner(s): Prince William County Department of Economic Development and Tourism & Prince William Chamber of Commerce

Special Instruction: Live Zoom presentation. Zoom link/Call numbers emailed after registration.

Speaker(s):

Co-Sponsor(s):

**Cancellation Policy:** To cancel, email - help@masonsbdc.org or call -703-261-4105 at least 24-business hours prior to the event.


Fee: No Cost

Webinar (Live)

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U.S. Small Business Administration, George Mason University, and America's SBDC

All programs of the Virginia SBDC are open to the public on a non-discriminatory basis to all legal residents and citizens of the United States.
Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.
Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Full disclosures regarding federal funding are available at https://www.virginiasbdc.org/funding-sources/.

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