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The Gold Standard of Business Brokering

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The Gold Standard of Business Brokering

5 Businesses You Can Buy
for Under $250K

Real Examples from the Market Right Now

$500M+
Deals Closed
300+
Businesses Sold
You don't need millions to own a business.
Every week, profitable businesses sell for under $250,000. They cash flow. They have customers. They're ready for a new owner. Here are 5 types of businesses regularly available in this range, with real numbers.
1
Service-Based Home Businesses
Cleaning services, handyman, lawn care, mobile detailing, pool service
Metric Typical Range
Asking Price$75,000 - $200,000
Annual Revenue$150,000 - $400,000
Owner Earnings (SDE)$50,000 - $120,000
Employees1-5 (often contractors)
Owner Hours20-40/week

Why It Works

  • Low overhead (often home-based)
  • Recurring revenue
  • Simple operations
  • Scalable with more crews

What to Watch

  • Customer concentration
  • Employee dependence
  • Equipment condition
Real Example

A residential cleaning business with 85 recurring clients sold for $120,000. Owner worked 25 hours/week managing 3 cleaners. SDE: $78,000.

2
E-commerce / Online Businesses
Amazon FBA, Shopify stores, content sites, SaaS tools
Metric Typical Range
Asking Price$50,000 - $250,000
Annual Revenue$100,000 - $500,000
Owner Earnings (SDE)$30,000 - $150,000
Employees0-2 (often VAs)
Owner Hours5-20/week

Why It Works

  • Location independent
  • Lower time commitment
  • Scalable with ad spend
  • Often semi-passive

What to Watch

  • Traffic source (one platform = risk)
  • Supplier reliability
  • Platform dependency
Real Example

A home goods Shopify store sold for $180,000. 15 hours/week of owner time. Revenue: $320,000. SDE: $95,000.

3
Food Service (Non-Restaurant)
Food trucks, catering, meal prep, coffee carts, ice cream shops
Metric Typical Range
Asking Price$50,000 - $200,000
Annual Revenue$100,000 - $400,000
Owner Earnings (SDE)$40,000 - $100,000
Employees0-4
Owner Hours30-50/week

Why It Works

  • Lower cost than restaurants
  • Flexible locations
  • Cash business
  • Loyal customer base

What to Watch

  • Permit requirements
  • Seasonality
  • Equipment condition
Real Example

A coffee cart operation with 3 locations sold for $85,000. Revenue: $180,000. SDE: $62,000. Owner worked 35 hours/week.

4
Specialty Retail
Vape shops, pet stores, boutiques, hobby shops, consignment
Metric Typical Range
Asking Price$65,000 - $250,000
Annual Revenue$150,000 - $500,000
Owner Earnings (SDE)$40,000 - $100,000
Employees1-4
Owner Hours40-50/week

Why It Works

  • Established customer base
  • Inventory included
  • Physical presence builds trust
  • Community connection

What to Watch

  • Lease terms
  • Inventory valuation
  • Online competition
Real Example

A pet supply store sold for $145,000. 12-year location with loyal customers. Revenue: $280,000. SDE: $72,000.

5
Personal Services
Salons, barbershops, spas, fitness studios, tutoring centers
Metric Typical Range
Asking Price$50,000 - $200,000
Annual Revenue$100,000 - $350,000
Owner Earnings (SDE)$40,000 - $90,000
Employees2-8 (often contractors)
Owner Hours30-45/week

Why It Works

  • Recurring clientele
  • Referral-driven growth
  • Multiple revenue streams
  • Cash flow from day one

What to Watch

  • Staff retention
  • Lease terms
  • Licensing requirements
Real Example

A barbershop with 4 chairs sold for $95,000. 3 barbers (booth rent model). Revenue: $165,000. Owner SDE: $68,000 (owner also cuts).

The Math on $250K

If you have $75,000 cash available:

Purchase Price Down Payment (20%) Working Capital Total Cash
$200,000 $40,000 $25,000 $65,000
$250,000 $50,000 $25,000 $75,000
Your Potential Return
Business earns $80,000 SDE
Your loan payment: ~$24,000/year
Net to you: $56,000/year
75% Cash-on-Cash Return

Business ownership is more accessible than most people think. These categories consistently offer solid returns for first-time buyers.

HedgeStone Business Advisors | hedgestone.com | (561) 593-3711