When I came to Fuqua, I already knew I was interested in entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA). But knowing about ETA and actually pursuing it felt like two very different things.
As a former registered nurse, military veteran, and mom of three young kids, I was drawn to the idea of owning and operating a business, especially in health care. ETA felt like a natural fit. But once I arrived at Fuqua, I quickly realized how overwhelming the path could be.
Between managing core coursework, recruiting, and family life, figuring out how to actually “do ETA” on my own felt daunting. The opportunity was exciting, but without a clear path forward, it was hard to know where to start or how to keep going. That’s where Fuqua’s ETA community made all the difference.
ETA at Fuqua is more than just a club, it’s a deeply supportive and structured community. The student-led ETA Club is filled with classmates actively exploring or pursuing their own searches, creating a strong sense of shared ambition. But what truly sets the experience apart is the ecosystem built around it, led by Ben Thomason.
Through the ETA cohort that he leads, I found the structure I didn’t even realize I needed. The cohort connects students with alumni searchers, those who have acquired businesses and those still searching, as well as investors, legal experts, and ETA-specific coaches. Each week, we meet to share updates, ask questions, and talk through challenges. That consistency creates accountability, but more importantly, it creates a sense of community in what can otherwise feel like a very independent journey.
Just as importantly, the cohort helped me define what ETA needed to look like for me. Balancing career ambitions with a young family means I’m not just looking for any opportunity — I’m looking for one that offers autonomy and the ability to grow at a pace that fits my family’s needs. ETA provides a path to build something of my own while also creating long-term value and, hopefully, generational wealth for my family. It’s also an opportunity to give my kids a front-row seat to what it looks like to own and operate a business.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve taken from the cohort is how to approach ETA in a way that’s both ambitious and realistic. That means being intentional about how I spend my time, leaning in when I can, and recognizing that even when I have to step away for family priorities, the work I’m doing is contributing to something I own and am building for the long term. The cohort helped me move from feeling overwhelmed to having a structured, flexible path forward.
Beyond the cohort, Fuqua brings ETA to life in practical ways. We’ve had opportunities to visit and learn from a range of businesses, including a kayak manufacturing company, an outdoor adventure business in Western North Carolina, and a home health care company in Charlotte. These visits, paired with candid conversations with owners and operators, gave me a much clearer picture of what the ETA journey actually looks like.
Through those conversations, I learned about the different paths to funding a search and acquisition, whether through Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, raising capital from investors to create a search fund, or joining a traditional search firm with the opportunity to operate the business post-acquisition. Just as valuable were the insights into what makes a strong acquisition target: businesses that are already profitable but have opportunities for operational improvement, and those with a diverse customer base rather than heavy reliance on a single client.
I also gained perspective on what happens after the acquisition. Hearing how operators think about implementing change, what needs to happen immediately versus what should wait to maintain employee trust and continuity, made the role feel both more complex and more achievable.
What stood out most to me, especially within the Triangle’s ETA community, was how willing people are to give back. Whether they are actively searching or already operating a business, there is a genuine openness to share experiences, lessons learned, and advice. That level of support makes what could feel like an intimidating path far more accessible and reinforces that ETA, while independent in nature, is not something you have to navigate alone.
For me, ETA at Fuqua has been about more than learning a new career path; it’s been about finding a way to pursue a long-term goal with clarity and confidence. What once felt overwhelming now feels possible, and more importantly, sustainable for my life.
The post Navigating Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition as an RN, Veteran, and Mom appeared first on Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog.
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I'd be glad to learn your thoughts on this story : Navigating Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition as an RN, Veteran, and Mom
As a former registered nurse, military veteran, and mom of three young kids, I was drawn to the idea of owning and operating a business, especially in health care. ETA felt like a natural fit. But once I arrived at Fuqua, I quickly realized how overwhelming the path could be.
Between managing core coursework, recruiting, and family life, figuring out how to actually “do ETA” on my own felt daunting. The opportunity was exciting, but without a clear path forward, it was hard to know where to start or how to keep going. That’s where Fuqua’s ETA community made all the difference.
A Built-In Support System
ETA at Fuqua is more than just a club, it’s a deeply supportive and structured community. The student-led ETA Club is filled with classmates actively exploring or pursuing their own searches, creating a strong sense of shared ambition. But what truly sets the experience apart is the ecosystem built around it, led by Ben Thomason.
Through the ETA cohort that he leads, I found the structure I didn’t even realize I needed. The cohort connects students with alumni searchers, those who have acquired businesses and those still searching, as well as investors, legal experts, and ETA-specific coaches. Each week, we meet to share updates, ask questions, and talk through challenges. That consistency creates accountability, but more importantly, it creates a sense of community in what can otherwise feel like a very independent journey.
Just as importantly, the cohort helped me define what ETA needed to look like for me. Balancing career ambitions with a young family means I’m not just looking for any opportunity — I’m looking for one that offers autonomy and the ability to grow at a pace that fits my family’s needs. ETA provides a path to build something of my own while also creating long-term value and, hopefully, generational wealth for my family. It’s also an opportunity to give my kids a front-row seat to what it looks like to own and operate a business.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve taken from the cohort is how to approach ETA in a way that’s both ambitious and realistic. That means being intentional about how I spend my time, leaning in when I can, and recognizing that even when I have to step away for family priorities, the work I’m doing is contributing to something I own and am building for the long term. The cohort helped me move from feeling overwhelmed to having a structured, flexible path forward.
Hands-On Learning That Makes ETA Real
Beyond the cohort, Fuqua brings ETA to life in practical ways. We’ve had opportunities to visit and learn from a range of businesses, including a kayak manufacturing company, an outdoor adventure business in Western North Carolina, and a home health care company in Charlotte. These visits, paired with candid conversations with owners and operators, gave me a much clearer picture of what the ETA journey actually looks like.
Through those conversations, I learned about the different paths to funding a search and acquisition, whether through Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, raising capital from investors to create a search fund, or joining a traditional search firm with the opportunity to operate the business post-acquisition. Just as valuable were the insights into what makes a strong acquisition target: businesses that are already profitable but have opportunities for operational improvement, and those with a diverse customer base rather than heavy reliance on a single client.
I also gained perspective on what happens after the acquisition. Hearing how operators think about implementing change, what needs to happen immediately versus what should wait to maintain employee trust and continuity, made the role feel both more complex and more achievable.
What stood out most to me, especially within the Triangle’s ETA community, was how willing people are to give back. Whether they are actively searching or already operating a business, there is a genuine openness to share experiences, lessons learned, and advice. That level of support makes what could feel like an intimidating path far more accessible and reinforces that ETA, while independent in nature, is not something you have to navigate alone.
From Overwhelming to Possible
For me, ETA at Fuqua has been about more than learning a new career path; it’s been about finding a way to pursue a long-term goal with clarity and confidence. What once felt overwhelming now feels possible, and more importantly, sustainable for my life.
The post Navigating Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition as an RN, Veteran, and Mom appeared first on Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog.
More...
How does this impact your International MBA decision?
I'd be glad to learn your thoughts on this story : Navigating Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition as an RN, Veteran, and Mom