Sell a Business Articles and Tools

Best Business Buyer Type For Your Business

Often business owners finds it difficult to know who they should target as a potential buyer for their business. At first glance, any buyer with a checkbook may be attractive. In practice, finding the right business buyer type when selling a business is both an art and a science. Learn what to consider before going on the market.

Similar to selling commercial real estate, knowing who the buyers are and what motivates them is beneficial. Likewise, when determining the asking price for a business, it makes good sense to understand the nuances associated with the various types of business buyers. Doing so will improve the entrepreneur’s likelihood he will receive the maximum net cash from the sale.

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Maximizing After Tax Proceeds When Selling Your Business

In this episode, Holly Magister, a CPA with expertise in business sales, offers valuable insights into tax planning for entrepreneurs preparing to sell their businesses. Dive into the nuanced tax considerations discussed and learn proactive strategies to enhance sale proceeds while reducing tax liabilities. This episode serves as a hands-on roadmap for business owners, equipping them with the knowledge to make informed choices and optimize their financial results throughout the intricacies of business exits. Tune in for essential guidance!

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Which is Best – Business Broker, M&A Advisor, or an Investment Banker?

When selling a business, you’ll likely engage various advisors to help you navigate the process, maximize the sale price, reduce risks associated with the deal post-transaction, and ultimately close the deal. Different types of advisors work in various business sales roles. They may assist in the transaction, each with unique expertise, deal process, and fee structure.

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Why Business Buyers Won’t Buy Your Business

Learn why business buyers view your business as unattractive and it fails to sell once it’s on the market.  We’ve summed up the top seven reasons and included suggestions regarding how to overcome these obstacles.

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How To Choose A Business Broker Intermediary

Choosing the right intermediary or business broker to represent a business owner in the sale of their business can make all the difference when it comes to the right price, the right buyer, and the ability to close the deal.

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Business Broker Fees and Other Business Sale Expenses

When it comes to the sale of a business, there are a number of costs – both expected and unplanned – all business owners should understand before they agree to sell their business. A few of our Featured Advisors have weighed in, offering their expertise and perspective to explain the costs – from business broker fees and legal costs to hidden fees – as they relate to selling a business.

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How To Choose A Business Broker Intermediary

How To Choose A Business Broker Intermediary

Choosing the right intermediary or business broker to represent a business owner in the sale of their business can make all the difference when it comes to the right price, the right buyer, and the ability to close the deal.

Business Broker Fees and Other Business Sale Expenses

Business Broker Fees and Other Business Sale Expenses

When it comes to the sale of a business, there are a number of costs – both expected and unplanned – all business owners should understand before they agree to sell their business. A few of our Featured Advisors have weighed in, offering their expertise and perspective to explain the costs – from business broker fees and legal costs to hidden fees – as they relate to selling a business.

How Much Does it Cost to Sell a Business?

How Much Does it Cost to Sell a Business?

As an intermediary, I have many conversations with business owners about how much their business is worth. As these conversations progress, owners realize that it’s not how much they make, it’s how much they can keep that truly matters.

What Happens to PPP Loan When Selling a Business

What Happens to PPP Loan When Selling a Business

The Small Business Administration (SBA) issued a Procedural Notice on October 2, 2020 which offers business owners and lenders guidance on how Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans are to be handled when a business has a change in ownership.

This post summarizes the notice and includes an Infographic to assist business owners.  It includes the following topic:

When does a Business Sale Require the SBA’s Approval
Does a Business Sale Require the PPP Lender’s Approval or Notification
Required Steps Pre and Post-Closing for PPP Borrowers 
SBA Timeframe to Approve a Sale or Merger when a PPP Loan Transfers
Does the EIDL Grant Impose Additional Steps When Selling a Business

Closing Business Deals in the COVID-19 Era

Closing Business Deals in the COVID-19 Era

The COVID 19 Era has begun. In addition to lives lost, there’s an economic toll that has yet to be determined at the time this content is being written.  With small businesses on life support, these are scary times for business owners and for the intermediaries helping owners navigate through them. So how has COVID 19 affected business transactions?

Letter of Intent to Purchase a Business Guide

Letter of Intent to Purchase a Business Guide

If you’re considering the sale of your business, or possibly the acquisition of another competing business, it’s important to understand the selling/buying process.
An often overlooked and important first step during the process of buying or selling a business involves the negotiation of certain terms the buyer and seller will ultimately agree to at the closing table once the due diligence phase of the process is completed.
If either party ignores the importance of the initial terms’ negotiations, they can often end up with a bad deal or no deal at all.

Tips for Expediting the Sale of Your Small Business

Tips for Expediting the Sale of Your Small Business

As a business broker serving business owners who want to explore their options for exit, I get this question at almost every listing appointment:
“How long will it take to sell my business?”

The research indicates the answer is as follows:
For businesses that sell for under two million dollars, the IBBA’s research indicates it’s going to take 7-9 months…
Essentially you could have a baby in the time it takes to sell a business.
Many owners aren’t excited about this answer, but there are a few things you can do to expedite the sale of your small business. Let’s explore how to sell a business quickly.

How to Overcome Customer Concentration Objection When Selling a Business

How to Overcome Customer Concentration Objection When Selling a Business

One of the greatest risks any buyer faces is what will happen to the business’ best customers post-sale. Will the top customers celebrate the founder’s great accomplishment or maybe decide it’s a good opportunity to negotiate better pricing or payment terms with the new owner? Or worse yet, will they be spooked by the new owners and find an alternative vendor?

Astute buyers measure this risk quickly. Typically, one of the first questions experienced buyers ask the business broker is about the presence or lack of a customer concentration.

For the business owner considering the sale of his business in the near future, having a clear understanding if a customer concentration exists is vitally important. In fact, the lack of a customer concentration is a great selling point.