Last Thursday, we hosted our first “New Zealand Buyers Sydney Business Acquisition Networking Session.” There was no stage, no PowerPoint presentation — just a few buyers who had travelled from New Zealand, sitting around a table, enjoying coffee and sharing their personal journeys.
There was no one-way knowledge sharing, only genuine conversations between people who shared a similar background and experience.
Some had just arrived in Sydney and were still exploring the market. Some had already successfully taken over their first business. Others had established themselves and were starting to think about their next move.
Everyone’s journey was different, but they shared the same question:
Why leave the familiarity of New Zealand and come to Sydney, a market with stronger competition?
There is no single answer. But everyone had their own reasons, shaped by their own goals, ambitions and circumstances.
Before coming to Australia, many people had similar expectations — Sydney offers a larger market, a bigger population, and more opportunities.
But after arriving, they quickly realised that behind those opportunities came greater challenges: stronger competition, higher rents, higher labour costs, and a completely different business environment.
One buyer shared how their first attempt at taking over a business fell through because the landlord’s approval was not granted.
Another thought Australia and New Zealand would operate in similar ways, only to discover that leases, employment requirements and the business acquisition process could be much more complex.
Someone summed it up with a smile:
“The hardest part is not finding a business — it’s finding the right business for yourself.”
As the conversation continued, the discussion naturally shifted from “How do I buy a business?” to “What kind of business is right for me?”
Should you choose a high-profile location with intense competition, or a stable local community business? Should you focus on maximising revenue, or building a lifestyle that offers better balance?
Everyone had a different answer, but everyone agreed on one thing:
There is no perfect business model — only a business that is the right fit for you.
As Business Brokers, we are usually involved in one transaction after another. But this conversation allowed us to see the people behind the deals — those still exploring, those searching for opportunities, and those just starting their journey.
What we hope to do is not simply appear at the final stage when a deal is completed. We want to be there from the moment someone takes their first step, supporting and guiding them throughout the entire journey.
One morning cannot answer every question, but meeting a group of like-minded people who are walking a similar path is already something meaningful.
We look forward to the next conversation — not just about business, but also about entrepreneurship, life, and your story.
