I’ve Passed On a Few Deals Along the Way

Every deal I pass on teaches me something. About the business, the market—but mostly about myself.

I’ve passed on companies with great margins but weak leadership benches. I’ve passed on recurring revenue with messy churn, and strong brands with unresolved founder dynamics. I’ve passed when a seller held on too tightly, when the culture didn’t click, and when the risk-reward just didn’t line up.

Not because I’m looking for perfect. Because I’m looking for fit.

Every pass sharpens my lens. Fit isn’t just financials—it’s about mission, maturity, people, and my ability to step in as CEO and add value from day one. I’m not looking to buy someone else’s vision. I’m looking to carry the right vision forward, with care and conviction.

Sometimes passing is easy. The numbers don’t work, or the business model doesn’t align. But sometimes it’s hard. It feels close. You can see the potential. You can imagine making it work. That’s when discipline matters most.

Walking away from a deal doesn’t mean it’s not a good company. It just means it’s not my company.

And the upside of saying no is that each one brings me closer to the one I’ll say yes to.

Want to Connect?

If you're a seller, broker, or operator who cares about legacy and fit—I’d love to hear from you.

📧 Email: holdings@sidebright.com
📅 Schedule a call or coffee: zcal.me/1WCN1
🔗 Website: sidebright.com/holdings
💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ericpizzi
📞 Or just give me a call.

Related Resources

▶️ Watch: Searcher Discipline and Deal Filters – Stanford Search Fund Conference🎙️ Listen: Saying No to Good Deals – Acquiring Minds with Ben Braverman
📄 Read: When to Walk Away – Searchfunder