Published on 21/08/2025 by Any Business.Com.Au

The Age Old Question: Buy a Business or Start One?

If you've ever dreamed of running your own business, chances are you've faced the age-old question: should I buy an existing business, or start one from scratch?

It's not an easy decision. Both paths can be rewarding, but they're very different journeys. Buying a business means stepping into something that's already up and running.

Starting your own means creating something brand new, built entirely around your vision. Which one is right for you really depends on your goals, your personality, and your appetite for risk.

Let's break down both options, talk about the pros and cons, and then look at how you can decide which path feels right for you.

Buying an Established Business

Imagine walking into a business that already has customers, systems and staff in place. That's the appeal of buying an established business, you get a head start.

The Upside

  • You've got cash flow from day one. No waiting around to see if your idea will work.
  • There's already a customer base, which means you don't need to spend months (or years) convincing people to try you out.
  • The brand name and reputation are already known in the community.
  • The hard work of setting up systems, sourcing suppliers and hiring staff is already done.
  • Banks and lenders often prefer established businesses with financial history when it comes to loans.

The Challenges

  • You'll likely pay a significant upfront price, after all, you're buying goodwill and reputation as well as the physical assets.
  • There may be hidden problems, like outdated processes, declining customer loyalty, or debts that aren't obvious straight away.
  • If you want to put your own spin on things, changing the culture or direction of an existing business can be tricky.
  • If the business comes with staff, you need to be ready to lead and manage them effectively.

Examples of Businesses People Often Buy


Think cafés, retail stores, gyms, hair salons, professional practices like accounting firms or franchises, where a lot of the heavy lifting is already done for you.

If you want to hit the ground running and you've got the capital, buying could be a very smart move.

Starting Your Own Business

Now picture the other path: a blank canvas, ready for you to build exactly what you want. That's the beauty of starting from scratch.

The Upside

  • You have complete creative control. From the name to the branding to the culture you decide.
  • You can often start with lower costs, especially if you grow slowly and keep it lean.
  • You have total flexibility. No one else's legacy or processes to work around.
  • There's huge personal satisfaction in building something from the ground up.
  • It can be more scalable because you're not locked into someone else's model.

The Challenges

  • It takes time to get off the ground. You probably won't see profit straight away.
  • There's more risk. Many startups don't survive their first few years.
  • Financing can be harder to secure since lenders prefer businesses with a proven track record.
  • You'll be wearing a lot of hats in the beginning, marketing, sales, admin, operations, until you can afford help.

Starting your own business suits people who thrive on independence, have strong ideas, and don't mind the ups and downs of building something from nothing.

So… Which Path Is Right for You?

The truth is, both options can work. Buying a business makes sense if you want a faster route to income and stability. Starting fresh makes sense if you want total creative freedom and don't mind a slower build.

Buying an established business is a bit like moving into a house that's already built. It comes with history, quirks, and a ready-made structure. Starting your own is like designing and building that house from scratch. It takes longer, but you get to make every decision along the way.

Neither option is better or worse, it all comes down to what feels right for you. If you value stability and want results sooner, buying could be the way to go. If you're brimming with ideas and want to create something truly your own, starting from scratch might be more fulfilling.

Whichever path you choose, the most important thing is that it aligns with your strengths, passions, and long-term vision.

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AnyBusiness.com.au

Curtis is a leading expert in the business-for-sale industry, serving as a senior content creator at anybusiness.com.au.

With a career spanning over fifteen years, Curtis has accumulated extensive knowledge in the domain of business sales, acquisitions, and valuations. His deep understanding of market dynamics and his ability to translate complex industry jargon into accessible insights make him a trusted resource for entrepreneurs and business owners looking to buy or sell businesses.

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