A business adviser used to be someone who’d been there, done that, and had the scars to prove it. They'd run companies, survived recessions, fired people, hired people, built brands, lost sleep, and occasionally gained a few pounds along the way. Nowadays, a "business adviser" might be someone who watched a YouTube video, set up a funnel, and now teaches others how to teach others to do the same. Like an MLM scheme, but with more jargon.

Starting a business is like doing a pub quiz where the questions change halfway through and the quizmaster’s set fire to the rulebook. It’s not for the faint-hearted or anyone who enjoys a steady wage and regular sleep.

Sometimes, growing your business means shrinking your ego. Sometimes, saying “no” makes you richer than saying “yes.” And sometimes, the smartest thing you can do is admit you don’t know it all and ask someone who does.

Welcome to the marvellous world of business brokers. Some are saints. Some are snakes. And some well, some should be legally banned from using the word "deal" unless it’s in reference to a lunchtime meal.

Because while some businesses do need to scale quickly, rocket ships, AI unicorns, or the people who invented edible protein made from air (true story) for the rest of us, scaling too soon is like trying to run before you’ve finished putting your trousers on.

You see, the buyers haven’t disappeared. They’ve just lost interest in nonsense. They’re no longer entertaining inflated valuations, shaky numbers, and businesses that rely on one person

“Marketing? Who needs it? Get a dog, throw it on Facebook, and you’re golden, mate!” he says, as though he’s just cracked the Da Vinci Code.