One of the key indicators of a successful business is if it can run without the owner around or involved in the operations.  In the small business world, that might only be the case for a day or maybe a week, but rarely more.  Most owners are key players in the business and is the reason why selling them is very difficult.   Personally, it took me 10 years of running my company before I took […] Continue Reading…

I have written many times about the need for getting your business ready to sell in order to make the most out of the transaction.    Hopefully you have spent the time cleaning up your financials and they accurately represent the Company’s financial strength, as well as presenting your Company in it’s best light.  Assuming you have done this, now what?   At least now you can feel comfortable that a buyer can come and […] Continue Reading…

We just finished negotiating with a buyer and received a signed letter of intent detailing out the terms of the arrangement.  The seller wanted to go out and celebrate the occasion until I told her that the hard work was just about to get started.  She looked at me the same way as I looked last summer when I was backpacking and I hiked, sweat, and bled to get to […] Continue Reading…

Most business owners sell a business once in a lifetime so experience is not on the side of the seller.  My best analogy to selling your business is like selling your house, but on adrenaline.  Your house may carry some emotional connection, but nothing like your business.  You have emotionally, physically, financially, and socially surrounded yourself around this business and letting it go can be more emotionally challenging than you might think.  Then […] Continue Reading…

I understand that in my past not everyone I requested advice from I really listened to but generally, if I was going to have to pay for it, I think I should have.   If you are a business owner trying to sell your business and have asked for professional help, and are paying for it, then listen to what we are telling you!!  There is a signficant difference between hearing what they say and listening with an […] Continue Reading…