Updated July 2026 In this article: When you are selling your business, you should be prepared for the different types of deal structures that may be proposed from various buyers. A business sale often consists of multiple elements like cash at close, seller notes, non-competes, books and records adequate enough for business financing by lending institutions, […]
Updated July 2026 In this article: Last week I met with a business owner after an introduction by his accountant. He was thinking of selling his profitable waste recycling business, a business he had been running for nearly 30 years. The business had a reliable management team, an enviable customer base and a strong balance sheet. […]
Updated July 2026 In this article: Closing the deal can be the most challenging part of buying or selling an operating business. Valuations, investigations, and negotiations are complete, and now it’s a matter of getting everything into writing in a form that satisfies everyone so that the transfer of ownership of the business can take […]
Customers If customers get wind that your business is on the market, they will most likely, in about a New York minute, hike on over to one of your competitors to do business. Losing customers affects the value of the business. Employees If employees are told that the business is up for sale, think nano-second. […]
At some point, every business owner will need to think about selling his or her business. This means you’ll need to be ready to overcome a range of obstacles, as the process of selling a business can be both confusing and time-consuming. This is especially true for those who have not gone through the […]
When it comes to finalizing deals, successful negotiations are at the heart of the matter. It only makes sense to think about how to improve your communication skills and to choose a Business Broker or M&A Advisor who is well versed in the art of negotiation. Cultivating Win-Win Situations Achieving a win-win for all parties […]
After decades of hard work, selling your business can be an exciting and rewarding time. Yet, many business owners overlook the importance of focusing on the legal matters associated with sales. In this article, we’ll explore three of the most significant mistakes sellers make. 1. Not Using an NDA The first critical mistake that […]
KEY TAKEAWAYS: Internal and external factors are important considerations when selling a business. Here are issues you should think about when trying to time your exit. There are many factors that determine best timing for selling a small business: the financial condition of the company, valuation, growth cycle, profit history and the current market. Usually, […]
KEY TAKEAWAYS: When it’s time to sell your business, your numbers must tell the right story. Ensure you know your numbers inside and out by following these 9 tips. The lack of financial integrity is one of the most common hurdles encountered during the process of selling a business. Reliable financial records are not only a […]
When buying or selling a business, it is critically important that you evaluate the lease. It is a strange phenomenon that otherwise savvy business people will treat leases as a secondary concern. However, problematic terms in a lease can literally force you to pack up a business and move. This would not only be a […]
Most people think of starting a business from scratch, developing an idea, building a company from the ground up. Starting from scratch, however, has its disadvantages including – developing a customer base, marketing the business, hiring employees and creating cash flow … without any history or reputation to rely on. To avoid these challenges, buying […]
Are you thinking about taking the leap of faith into being part of the self-employed — into business ownership? If you are one of those people who have long yearned to be self-employed, to call your own shots and design your own destiny, you must break through all those yeah-buts that have been stopping you. […]
The past 12 months have presented businesses with challenges they’ve never seen before. While circumstances are improving, things like PPP loans, Covid-19 protocols, and employee engagement are still weighing on business owners. If you know exactly what I’m talking about, you might not believe me when I say that today is actually an excellent time […]
You are the heart of American commerce. You are a small business owner. You’ve built your business up over time. We recognize and applaud your achievements. We are much like you in that nearly all of us have walked in your shoes by owning and running a company ourselves. Now you are considering letting go. […]
Kissing your business goodbye. Experts say it’s never too early to start thinking about selling. In fact, they suggest developing an exit strategy long before that next business opportunity beckons or it’s time to retire. “Things can be done today that can have big impact on how valuable the business is 20 years from […]
Whether you are buying or selling a business, your accountant can make or break the deal. If you choose to engage advisors, such as a CPA, to assist you in the sale or purchase of a business, it is important that they be deal friendly and transaction experienced. They must have a clear understanding […]
Whether you are buying or selling a business, your legal counsel can make or break the deal. If you choose to engage advisors, such as an attorney, to assist you in the sale or purchase of a business, it is important that they be deal friendly and transaction experienced. You must articulate your objectives and […]
Family and private businesses are sold in an environment that is unlike the selling environment of anything else you can imagine! Sound surprising? After you review the following ten reasons that make selling a business different, perhaps you will agree. (1) Confidentiality Making the decision to sell one’s business is a difficult enough task in […]
A growing number of investors are selling properties and paying taxes later through a deal structure called a 1031 exchange. What Is a 1031 Exchange? Section 1031 of the U.S. Tax Code permits a seller of commercial properties to defer the capital gains obligation if it identifies a replacement property within 45 days of closing […]
The following serves as an excellent checklist for a Buyer in compiling questions to ask the Seller about his business during the Due Diligence period. Potential Problem Areas to be Addressed Changes in law, New competition, Change in technology Foreign imports, Drop in demand, Equipment obsolescence Facility obsolescence, Market shifts, Down trends Employee theft, Interest […]
Updated August 2026 In this article: Clear A New Lease With The Landlord Before You Sell Your Business. A lease is a contract that represents the right to operate a business from rented premises. It is a legally binding contract between the landlord and the tenant. It sets out the terms, conditions and rights as […]
Closing the deal can be the most challenging part of buying or selling an operating business. Valuations, investigations, and negotiations are complete and now it’s a matter of getting everything into writing in a form that satisfies everyone so that the transfer of ownership of the business can take place. However, you can definitely count on someone […]
6 Steps in the Buying Process Step 1: Self Assessment When you meet with a Business Broker, be prepared to discuss your background, work experience and financial ability to purchase a business. A Business Broker cannot adequately help you find a company that meets your needs without this knowledge. A personal resume and financial statement […]
Sustaining established family-owned businesses into the next generation is an important issue for rural community leaders. Many small rural businesses are family-owned, but statistics show that few survive beyond retirement of the current owner. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, only 30% of all family businesses succeed to the second generation. And of […]
A Simplified Checklist When Selling A Business & Closing A Deal – Adjust purchase price This would take care of prorated items such as rent, utilities and inventory up to the time of closing. – Review documents required to be provided by the seller This would be a corporate resolution approving the sale, evidence that […]
Preparation for putting a business on the market is like rehearsing for a stage performance….as the main character….in the spotlight. When entering the center stage spotlight, both a business owner and a star performer must know their roles, the script, the story, as well as the other major players and the roles they will play. […]
THE SUCCESSFUL CLOSING Now that all of the contingencies have been satisfied and removed from the Contract, it’s time to draft the final closing documents. These documents may be prepared by the Seller’s attorney, Buyer’s attorney or a third party attorney employed by the business broker. The basic documents associated with the transfer of a small business generally […]
Due Diligence is the last phase in the buying process. This is the time when you will have access to all of the company’s books, records and files. You will have a pre-determined period of time to investigate the information that you have been given so far to verify its accuracy. The goal of an […]
The Answer — in a Nutshell: The best time to sell a business is when the business has upward trending revenues, when the industry is in an upturn, when the economy is strong, when there is a multitude of buyers looking for business acquisitions, and when interest rates are low. There are many questions that need to be answered before […]
Who are the Buyers for Privately-Held Companies and What is Their Acquisition Criteria? Understanding who the buyers are and their acquisition criteria will enable business owners to be better prepared when the time comes to sell. Unrealistic expectations of value and factors that drive value result in many business owners being unable to sell their […]
The Individual Buyer Category represents the largest number of prospective buyers for small to midsize privately-held businesses. Understanding who the buyers are and their acquisition criteria will enable business owners to be better prepared when the time comes to sell. The individual buyer category encompasses a variety of buyer types that include wealthy individuals, […]
Why? Because SBA prequalified businesses for sale in the marketplace sell faster. The normal train of thought for most people is that it is only the buyer’s responsibility to get prequalified and get financing for the purchase of a business. Yes, the buyer must be able to qualify for a loan. However, the business must be […]
“Texas is a land of buccaneering capitalism.”- The Economist, 12/19/02 In addition to having a low cost of living and a great quality of life, Texas has one of the nation’s most favorable business environments. By 2030 the U.S. Census Bureau projects Texas population will increase by 60 percent compared with 2000 and will be one of the […]
It can be difficult to determine which kinds of insurance is needed for a small business. Different types of insurance have confusingly similar names. Your state, town, or county may have its own insurance requirements and many industries have coverage specific to them. To assist in determining which kind of insurance a business should have, […]
I recently posted a press release article citing the increased number of acquisition inquiries that business brokers in Houston are experiencing from business owners in foreign countries. It seems that Houston is not alone. The Center for an Urban Future, a New York City-based think tank, in a press release February 6, 2007, revealed a major […]