Arcane University Journalhttps://thearcaneuniversity.com/journal/Practical acquisition guides and tools.The First 100 Days After Buying a Small Businesshttps://thearcaneuniversity.com/journal/first-100-days/https://thearcaneuniversity.com/journal/first-100-days/A practical plan for the first 100 days after closing on a small business: keep customers and staff, learn before changing, secure cash and controls, then improve one thing at a time.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMTDue Diligence Checklist for Buying a Small Business (19 Checks)https://thearcaneuniversity.com/journal/due-diligence-checklist/https://thearcaneuniversity.com/journal/due-diligence-checklist/The 19 due diligence checks in the Arcane University workbench, grouped into financial, operational, legal and market risk, with what each check means and what a bad answer looks like.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMTHow to Write a Letter of Intent to Buy a Small Businesshttps://thearcaneuniversity.com/journal/letter-of-intent/https://thearcaneuniversity.com/journal/letter-of-intent/What a small-business letter of intent (LOI) covers, which terms are binding, and how to write one that moves the deal forward without giving away your leverage.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMTSmall Business Acquisition Red Flags and the Evidence to Requesthttps://thearcaneuniversity.com/journal/business-acquisition-red-flags/https://thearcaneuniversity.com/journal/business-acquisition-red-flags/A practical red-flag checklist for business buyers: unsupported add-backs, concentration, owner dependency, equipment, leases and working capital.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMTHow SBA 7(a) Loans Work for Buying a Business (2026)https://thearcaneuniversity.com/journal/sba-7a-acquisition-loans/https://thearcaneuniversity.com/journal/sba-7a-acquisition-loans/SBA 7(a) initial acquisition rules under SOP 50 10 8.1: loan limits, terms, the 10% equity injection, standby seller notes, 1.25× coverage and guarantees.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMTWhat SDE Is and How to Rebuild It From the Tax Returnshttps://thearcaneuniversity.com/journal/what-is-sde/https://thearcaneuniversity.com/journal/what-is-sde/Seller's discretionary earnings (SDE) drives the price of most small businesses. How it is calculated, which add-backs survive scrutiny, and how to rebuild it yourself.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMTSeller Notes and Full Standby: How Seller Financing Works in an SBA Dealhttps://thearcaneuniversity.com/journal/seller-notes/https://thearcaneuniversity.com/journal/seller-notes/How seller financing works when buying a small business, what full standby means under SBA SOP 50 10 8.1, and questions to settle with the lender and attorney.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMTStress-Test a Business Acquisition Before Making an Offerhttps://thearcaneuniversity.com/journal/acquisition-cash-flow-stress-test/https://thearcaneuniversity.com/journal/acquisition-cash-flow-stress-test/Compare base and downside acquisition scenarios using SDE, replacement compensation, capex reserves, debt payments and liquidity.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMTHow to Value a Small Business Without Being Anchored by the Asking Pricehttps://thearcaneuniversity.com/journal/valuing-a-small-business/https://thearcaneuniversity.com/journal/valuing-a-small-business/Why the multiple is an output, not an input; what makes a small business riskier or safer; and how to turn verified SDE and real risks into a defensible offer.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT