If you are someone who is a purchaser of small businesses or one who may be so in the future then you need to read this.

According to a Pew Research Center article:

On January 1, 2011, the oldest Baby Boomers will turn 65. Every day for the next 19 years, about 10,000 more will cross that threshold.

That tidal shift will lead to, as INC Magazine stated:

An estimated 65 percent to 75 percent of the small companies in the U.S. — some 10 million — will likely hang up a “for sale” sign over the next five to 10 years. Why? Retiring baby boomers.

For those who are future buyers of small business this will lead to more opportunities, deals and inevitably price pressure on small business prices. It will also present more opportunities for those employees to transition to their own business.

Private equity is already gearing up for this sea change as discussed by Carl Doerksen and Billy Fink among many.

If you are a person that eventually seeks to own a small business or add more to your portfolio, planning now will put you in a position to profit from this historic demographic change.