PMs: Skip the Startup. Buy a Business That Already Works.
Rocky: Bought a small business
1x Founder, 2x CEO, 3x Head of Product
How I Bought a 45-Year-Old Business With No Savings — And How You Can Too
Most PMs are one reorg away from a job search. But there's another path: buying a small business that already has customers, cash flow, and proof.
Rocky did exactly that — acquired a 45-year-old business with zero savings. No VC. No co-founder. No startup risk.
In 5 days, you'll learn the exact playbook he used — from finding the right deal to running it with AI.
What you’ll learn
Learn how to become an entrepreneur by acquiring a small business & achieve financial independence.
Identify undervalued businesses for sale using proven sourcing methods most buyers overlook
Value any small business like a pro — and structure a deal even if you have zero savings
Close the deal cleanly — what to sign, what to negotiate, and how to win over the existing team
Step-by-step playbooks for ops, finance, and marketing — built for a first-time owner
Automate the work that was inefficient — using tools available today
Spot the 5 traps that kill new acquisitions before they start
Unlock growth levers the previous owner ignored — pricing, retention, and adjacent markets
Use AI to do the marketing, outreach, and analysis a 10-person team would have handled
Avoid the growth mistakes that plateau most small businesses within year two
Apply the same product thinking you used at work to build a moat around your business
Introduce AI-powered services your competitors haven't thought of yet
Know which innovations are worth your time — and which ones destroy small businesses
Build a live deal memo for a real business you've researched during the course
Know exactly what questions to ask a seller, a broker, and a banker before you sign anything
Design your business to run without you — and sell for more than you paid
Learn directly from Rocky:
Rocky: Bought a small business
2x CEO: Acquired a 45 year old small business with zero savings
Who this course is for
Ambitious Product Manager: You've mastered the PM craft. Now apply it to something you own — with real financial upside and no ceiling.
Risk-Aware Product Managers: Layoffs happen to great PMs too. A cash-flowing business gives you income no hiring manager can take away.
Side-Income Product Managers: Not ready to quit yet? Learn to evaluate real deals now so you're ready when the right opportunity appears.
Prerequisites
You have 3+ years in a product, operations, sales, or finance role.
This course moves fast. A business background means you'll apply frameworks immediately instead of learning basic concepts from scratch.
You have led a team, project, or stakeholder group without direct authority.
Small business ownership requires influence and accountability. If you've done this at work, you're already ahead of most first-time buyers.
You are open to AI tools, new frameworks, and unlearning old habits.
This course is built for the AI era. Owners who adapt fast win. A low ego and curiosity for new technology will determine your success.
What's included
Live sessions
Learn directly from Rocky: Bought a small business in a real-time, interactive format.
Lifetime access
Go back to course content and recordings whenever you need to.
Community of peers
Stay accountable and share insights with like-minded professionals.
Certificate of completion
Share your new skills with your employer or on LinkedIn.
Maven Guarantee
Your purchase is backed by the Maven Guarantee.
Course syllabus
Week 1
Jun
1
Day 1: Find & Close Your First Deal
Jun
2
Day 2: Cut Waste Before You Change Anything
Jun
3
Day 3: Add Revenue Without Adding Headcount
Jun
4
Day 4: Build a Moat Before Competitors Catch Up
Jun
5
Day 5: Build Your Acquisition Plan & Present It
Jun
5
Office Hours (optional)
Schedule
Live sessions
15 hrs
Mon, Jun 1
1:00 PM—4:00 PM (UTC)
Tue, Jun 2
1:00 PM—4:00 PM (UTC)
Wed, Jun 3
1:00 PM—4:00 PM (UTC)
Projects
1 hr
Testimonials
Rocky was selected as Head of Product Management for our $1.3 Billion business after an extensive national search. His deep background in industrial distribution, B2B and eCommerce, along with experience with lean startup methodologies, unique skills earned during his time at Stanford, along with unmatched attention to detail, make him exceptional.
Michael Bannen
CTO at Home DepotRocky has a great mind for understanding the nuances of developing tech products and is one of the most customer-obsessed, empathetic PMs I have worked with. He is very dependable with a high sense of ownership, works well in a matrixed/high ambiguity environment, and strikes the right balance between thinking big and getting stuff done.
Godwin Pavamani
General Manager at GoogleRocky is a passionate teacher who not only talks the talks; but walks the walk in the knowledge and truths he shares. He is genuinely dedicated to teaching others and encourages students to aim for success – regardless of what their definition of success may be. Dedicated, Empathetic, Motivational, and Relatable are the epitome of Rocky.
Lois Poku
Product Leader at MastercardI have known & worked with Rocky for over 5 years. Rocky is unique in his forward thinking, and always willing and open to trying new things to reach a greater goal. He’s dedicated the past 5 years to better understanding his public sector market and transforming The Procurement School into a modern enterprise. Rocky is constantly looking at ways to improve service delivery and client satisfaction by applying leading academic principles and using modern technology. I can always count on Rocky to have his pulse on the leading edge.
Lise Patry
Partner at LXM LawI had the pleasure of working under Rocky’s leadership with Procurement AI, and I was consistently impressed by his ability to lead with both clarity and heart. Rocky has a talent for translating complex project goals into actionable steps while ensuring no detail goes without consideration. His professional demeanor and decisive communication kept the project on time and skill-focused. I wouldn't hesitate for the opportunity to work with him again and highly recommend them for him leadership role.
Katy Rudolphy
Cartographic Technician at USDA-NRCS
Frequently asked questions
$1,500
USD
2 cohorts