Sell-Side Due Diligence: 7 Areas Buyers Will Dig Into First
What buyers actually scrutinize during diligence: financials, customer concentration, key-person risk, contracts, IP, IT, and HR. The 7 areas where most LOIs re-trade.
How to Negotiate with Private Equity Without Getting Played
How to Negotiate with Private Equity Without Getting Played Quick Answer Negotiate with private equity by first understanding their specific investment strategy and prior deals, then maintain leverage by having alternative buyers and a clear valuation range for your business. Avoid common pitfalls like revealing desperation, accepting lowball offers without pushback, or surrendering governance rights […]
Selling Your Business in Your 40s or 50s — What to Consider First
Selling Your Business in Your 40s or 50s — What to Consider First Quick Answer Selling your business in your 40s or 50s requires balancing personal motivations like retirement or health concerns with financial realities, typically involving a business valuation that represents 10 to 15 years of future earnings potential for a profitable company. Key […]
Is Your Business Actually Sellable? A Hard-Truth Checklist for Owners
Is Your Business Actually Sellable? A Hard-Truth Checklist for Owners Quick Answer A sellable business has predictable, owner-independent profit, a compelling growth story, and strong operational efficiency with minimal owner reliance. Key indicators include a stable customer base, financial health, clear growth potential, and position in a growing market; if your business lacks these, you […]
How to Avoid Getting Lowballed When Selling Your Business
How to Avoid Getting Lowballed When Selling Your Business Quick Answer To avoid getting lowballed when selling your business, understand your market value by assessing financial statements and industry trends, prepare your business by addressing operational weaknesses, and negotiate confidently with multiple qualified buyers. Businesses typically sell for 2x to 4.5x SDE depending on industry, […]
The Exact Checklist to Prepare Your Company for Sale in 90 Days
The Exact Checklist to Prepare Your Company for Sale in 90 Days Quick Answer A 90-day preparation checklist for selling your company focuses on four core areas: cleaning up financial records and tax documentation, optimizing operations and documenting processes, preparing marketing materials and financial summaries, and organizing legal documents for due diligence. Most founder-owned businesses […]
Earnouts Explained: How They Work + 5 Reasons They Backfire
Earnouts shift 30-50% of price to contingent compensation. How metrics get redefined post-close, why 40-60% of stated earnout typically gets paid, and how sellers protect themselves.
Should You Sell Your Lifestyle Business? What Buyers Really Think
Should You Sell Your Lifestyle Business? What Buyers Really Think Quick Answer Buyers view lifestyle businesses as viable acquisition targets when they demonstrate stable cash flow, owner-independent operations, and clear growth potential beyond the founder’s involvement. Most buyers focus on whether the business can maintain its income stream post-sale and whether systems exist to reduce […]
How Long It Really Takes to Sell a Business (and Why Most Owners Misjudge It)
How Long It Really Takes to Sell a Business (and Why Most Owners Misjudge It) Quick Answer Most business sales take 6 to 12 months from initial preparation to closing, though well-prepared businesses in hot sectors can close in 3 to 6 months while complex deals may extend to 18 months or beyond. The timeline […]