How Earnouts Work in Business Sale

How earnouts work in a business sale: mechanics, revenue vs EBITDA basis, why 40-60% of stated earnout typically gets paid, and 5 specific traps that kill seller value at payout time.

How to Transition Out of Your Business

How to transition out of your business in 24 months: 12 months prep, 6 months announcement and marketing, 6 months close and transition. Owner exit framework with monthly milestones.

Family Business Succession Plan

Family business succession plan for owners transferring to next-generation. Tax-efficient gifting strategies, family LLC structures, training programs, and conflict scenarios.

Business Succession Planning: 8 Steps

Business succession planning steps for owners 5, 3, and 1 years from transition. 8-step plan covering sale to PE, family transfer, ESOP, and gradual sell-down with timing benchmarks.

How to Evaluate Business Broker Fees

How to evaluate business broker fees: Lehman scale, modified Lehman, retainers, success fees, tail provisions, and expense reimbursement. The framework for comparing proposals on net proceeds.

M&A Advisor Cost: Real Fee Ranges

M&A advisor cost broken down by deal size: retainers, success fees, Lehman scale, expense reimbursement. What you actually pay across $1M-$50M deals — and when an advisor is worth the fee.

Business Broker vs Investment Banker

Business broker vs investment banker vs M&A advisor vs buy-side partner — what each one does, who they fit, and when each is the right answer for your deal.

Business Sale Tax Planning Checklist

A 12-month tax planning checklist for owners selling a business. Entity structure, QSBS, 1031, ESOP, installment sales, state residency — what to fix month by month before you go to market.