Buying a business, especially a good one, is hard. But not impossible. And not without risks.

Reducing those risks takes a good process, emotional control, discipline, savvy advisors, and relentless hard work. Though just about anyone can do it.

Don't be put off by the jargon, pedigrees of others that are successful, or even necessarily a lack of capital.

What follows are 10 tips that cover each stage of the acquisition process (a lot is left out, but I want to show that the process isn't complicated)...

1) Decide how you are going to source opportunities: DIRECT (contacting business owners directly via cold calls, email, trade shows, etc.) or via INTERMEDIARIES (brokers, CPAs, lawyers, wealth managers, and others that may have a relationship with business owners.) or BOTH.