Business Sale Challenges with Multiple Owners
Many businesses have multiple owners, both active and passive. When life events lead partners to want or need to sell the business, the situation becomes complicated with multiple ownership interests. Each owner has unique timelines, expectations, and goals that must be aligned. Here are three strategies to address these challenges proactively.
Common Pitfalls in Selling a Business
When it comes to selling a business, many factors influence the outcome. But it all starts with buyer demand and whether your business meets buyer expectations. If you’re considering a sale, it’s important to address several key areas in advance to improve your odds of a successful, higher-value transaction.
How Location Impacts Business Value from an Acquirer’s Perspective
Location plays a meaningful role in how buyers assess risk, growth potential, and operational efficiency during an acquisition. While financial performance drives enterprise value, location can significantly influence a buyer’s willingness to pay a premium or apply a discount to the final valuation.
Business Consulting – Selecting a Business Broker
When you begin your exit planning, a business broker becomes one of your key advisors. Since this is likely your first and only time selling a business, how do you know who to select? Here are some essential considerations that will guide your decision.
Business Consulting: Selling a Business Without a Business Broker
It’s human nature to want to save money — and certainly an Iowa norm! Many business owners field direct buyer inquiries and are tempted to navigate the sale process without professional representation. When it works, that’s a great deal! But after two decades in business acquisition financing, I’ve experienced that it rarely does.
Business Valuation: Understanding Cash Flow Addbacks
A fundamental responsibility of business brokers is accurately determining and presenting business cash flow to potential buyers. This financial metric serves as the cornerstone of business valuation and is typically expressed through Seller’s Discretionary Earnings (SDE), EBITDA, or Adjusted EBITDA. For small business transactions, SDE represents the most commonly utilized methodology, making a thorough understanding of addbacks essential for both accurate cash flow determination and reliable business valuation.
When Is the Right Time to Sell Your Business?
One of the most common questions I hear from owners is, “When should I sell my business?” The answer isn’t the same for everyone — but there are a few clear signs it might be time to start planning your exit.
Strategies for Selecting the Right SBA Lender for Your Business Acquisition Loan
You’re absolutely right that SBA Preferred Lenders are the ideal starting point. These banks have demonstrated sufficient SBA lending volume and expertise to earn streamlined approval authority. This means they can underwrite and approve loans internally without sending them to the SBA for review, which significantly reduces processing time and provides more predictable timelines.
Key Factors for Business Buyers in M&A Transactions
Having worked on hundreds of mergers and acquisitions representing buyers, I’ve noticed several consistent patterns in their priorities.
After Decades of Building Your Business, What’s Next?
You’ve spent years — maybe even decades — building your company. You’ve poured your heart, long hours, and relentless energy into overcoming obstacles, celebrating wins, and creating something you’re proud of.