The small business acquisition market in Pennsylvania is seeing increased demand from a new generation of buyers, according to Kristi May of The K Team. In a recent interview, May shared her perspective on emerging opportunities and shifting demographics in the local business acquisition landscape.
Market Overview and Shifting Buyer Demographics
“I’m hearing from people right out of college who are saying, hey, I can learn a trade. I do see them taking on a coaching role, they’re buying a company, and the owners are training them up,” said May, who recently acquired J&E Business Group and has over 20 years of marketing and operations experience in the business brokerage sector.
The Pennsylvania small business market has experienced a clear shift in buyer demographics, with more college graduates considering business acquisition as an alternative to traditional employment. This trend reflects broader economic uncertainties and evolving career expectations among younger professionals.
May highlights several factors shaping today’s investment landscape. She notes that mid-sized companies with steady revenue remain attractive for those seeking reliable cash flow, while smaller operations, particularly those that have yet to optimize their digital presence, offer opportunities for significant growth through strategic marketing and operational improvements. She also points to undervalued or legacy businesses with untapped digital potential as especially appealing prospects for investors willing to modernize traditional models.
May identified several drivers behind the current acquisition surge. Beyond traditional investment motives, she observed that “AI is really making people afraid, and so they are saying, my job is going to dissolve. I need to find another option. I want to be in control and buy a company so that my job isn’t cut.”
Buyers are increasingly forming partnerships to pool resources and expertise for business acquisitions. May also noted that some buyers are motivated by a desire for a career change: “I got a call last week from somebody who was just not happy in their work environment and saw an opportunity they were interested in.”
For those interested in entering the Pennsylvania small business market, May recommends leveraging personal expertise to drive growth: “Use that background, lean on that background, and grow a business significantly. You can probably end up getting it for a lot cheaper if you do that.”
She stresses the importance of aligning buyer skills with business needs, especially for companies that have not yet modernized their operations or marketing. The key is to identify businesses where specific expertise can unlock substantial growth.
Looking ahead, May expects continued growth in the small business acquisition market, driven by generational wealth transfer and economic uncertainty prompting more professionals to pursue business ownership. The rise of mentorship-based acquisitions, where sellers train buyers, marks a notable shift from traditional sales models.
