The opportunities for individuals to buy a business have never been greater. Moreover, in today’s worldwide and highly segmented marketplace, even small businesses can often compete effectively and be highly profitable.   As a result, more and more individuals are leaving Corporate America to purchase small businesses.

But, buying a company for yourself requires patience, persistence and, most of all, an understanding of the process and knowledge of the potential pitfalls.  It is certainly not something that you learn in business school or from books.  To understand the world of buying private companies, you need advice from those with experience in the field.

In its first program at the Gleacher Center, the GSB Entrepreneurial Roundtable is proud to present Joseph McCaul, a leading business broker, and attorney Michael Roberts.  Both of them are well-recognized in Chicago as experienced “deal-makers.”  They work extensively with individuals and private equity groups seeking to buy privately-held businesses.  They have been two of the most popular speakers at the Entrepreneurial Roundtable during its 16-year existence.  You will hear them discuss topics such as:

•Is Buying a Business Right for You?

•How to Find a Business to Buy

•How to Select a Business that is Right for You

•How to Choose and Use a Broker

•How to Obtain Financing

•Legal Issues and Concerns

Representatives of leading banks, accounting firms, business brokers and law firms will also be available to discuss your individual situations and to provide personalized guidance. 

Joe McCaul is the President of Joseph Associates International, Inc. with offices in Chicago and Naperville.  He holds an MBA from Case Western Reserve University and engineering degrees from Polytechnic University.  Before founding Joseph Associates, Joe held a variety of VP-level positions with multi-national chemical companies, handling transactions around the world.

Michael Roberts is a senior partner at the law firm of Connelly Roberts & McGivney LLC located in Chicago.  Michael has represented individual entrepreneurs, private equity groups, venture capital firms and business corporations in a wide variety of merger and acquisition transactions, joint ventures and financing arrangements.  He is a Certified Public Accountant and received his law degree from DePaul University School of Law.

(PDF Flyer)