Every great business has a story. Our founder's begins in 1982, when his mother—an eighth-grade dropout working as a receptionist and janitor—took a leap that would change everything.

When her employer announced his retirement, she saw more than just the end of a job; she saw an opportunity. With nothing but courage and conviction, she proposed to take over the business, making payments over time to become its new owner.

That single decision transformed not just her life, but created a legacy that would inspire our mission at Actuals. She wasn't a tech mogul or a social media sensation—she was something far more vital: a community entrepreneur who built a meaningful life serving her neighbors, employees, and family.

Today, we stand at a critical junction in American entrepreneurship. While two-thirds of Americans under 40 dream of owning their own business, only 12% achieve this goal. Meanwhile, three out of four business owners over 60 lack a succession plan for their life's work. This disconnect isn't just a statistic—it's an opportunity to bridge generations and preserve local businesses that form the backbone of our communities.

This is why we created Actuals.

We're not another business broker platform or a marketplace cluttered with questionable listings. We're a community of real entrepreneurs connecting with real opportunities. We've stripped away the complicated jargon of LOIs and LBOs to focus on what truly matters: matching people who want to build lasting businesses with those who've already done it.

At Actuals, we believe there are millions of Americans just like that courageous single mother—people ready to take the leap into entrepreneurship if given the chance. We're here to make those connections happen, ensuring local businesses continue to thrive while creating opportunities for the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Because sometimes, all it takes is one person believing in another to change the trajectory of not just one life, but entire communities.