Buy Then Build

“ Starting a VC-backed company believing that you will be the next magazine cover success story is possible. But it might just be punishment for not understanding statistics. ” e.style.display='none');if(typeof getContentsSections==='function')setTimeout(getContentsSections,50)" /> Deibel's startup ViewPoint had everything: a former Microsoft director as CEO, Fortune 500 investors, a top-ten accelerator pedigree, and beta trials inside major corporations. It still died. Then Deibel acquired a print management company for a low six-figure down payment plus a bank loan — and doubled its marketab

Lesson 1: Buy a running business instead of gambling on a startup

This principle from Buy Then Build is backed by Walker Deibel's extensive research and real-world examples. Understanding it deeply can shift how you approach decisions, relationships, and long-term planning in meaningful ways.

How to Apply Buy Then Build's Lessons

The real value of Buy Then Build lies in its applicability. After reading, the most important step is identifying which of Walker Deibel's principles speak most directly to your current situation.

Consider keeping a journal while reading — noting where the ideas challenge your current approach and where they confirm what you already suspected. The friction of your own resistance often points to the most important insights.

Key Quote

"Buy a running business instead of gambling on a startup" — Walker Deibel, Buy Then Build

About the Author

Walker Deibel is the author of Buy Then Build. The book reflects years of research, observation, and synthesis of evidence from multiple disciplines.