Seller Articles

Dealing with Inexperience Can Ruin the Deal

By Steve Santens / August 24, 2019 / Comments Off on Dealing with Inexperience Can Ruin the Deal

The 65-year old owner of a multi-location retail operation doing $30 million in annual sales decided to retire.  He interviewed a highly recommended intermediary and was impressed.  However, he had a nephew who had just received his MBA and who told his uncle that he could handle the sale and save him some money.  He…

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The Variables that Drive and Influence Business Valuations

By Steve Santens / August 14, 2019 / Comments Off on The Variables that Drive and Influence Business Valuations

If you’ve never bought or sold a business before, then the factors that drive and influence business valuations likely seem a bit murky.  In a recent Divestopedia article from Kevin Ramsier entitled, “A Closer Look at What Drives and Influences Business Valuations,” Ramsier takes a closer look at this important topic.  Business brokers and M&A…

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Is Your Business Really Worth Handing Over to the Next Generation?

By Steve Santens / July 31, 2019 / Comments Off on Is Your Business Really Worth Handing Over to the Next Generation?

Before you begin your business, you should be thinking about how you will hand that business over to someone else.  No one runs a business forever.  Whether you sell your business or let a relative inherit it, at some point you will need to step away.  When you finally do separate from your business, it…

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Erase the Stress of Selling Your Business by Finding the Right Buyer

By Steve Santens / July 27, 2019 / Comments Off on Erase the Stress of Selling Your Business by Finding the Right Buyer

There is no denying the fact that life is much, much easier when one can find the right buyer for his or her business.  Buying or selling a business can be a stressful affair, but much of that stress can be eliminated by getting the right support. The Concept of the “Right Buyer”  In the…

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Do You Know What Kind of Business Owner You Really Are?

By Steve Santens / July 20, 2019 / Comments Off on Do You Know What Kind of Business Owner You Really Are?

Does your business have real, long-lasting longevity or is your business a temporary entity that will vanish the second you stop working on it?  In his insightful article in The Business Journals entitled, “Are You Living for Today as a Business Owner or Building Value?” author Kent Bernhard asks a very important question of readers,…

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How Employees Factor into the Success of Your Business

By Steve Santens / June 25, 2019 / Comments Off on How Employees Factor into the Success of Your Business

Quality employees are essential for the long-term success and growth of any business.  Many entrepreneurs learn this simple fact far too late.  Regardless of what kind of business you own, a handful of key employees can either make or break you.  Sadly, businesses have been destroyed by employees that don’t care, or even worse, are…

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7 Big Questions to Ask Yourself Before Moving Forward

By Steve Santens / June 18, 2019 / Comments Off on 7 Big Questions to Ask Yourself Before Moving Forward

The first step towards successfully selling a business is finding a qualified business broker to work with.  Sellers should also ask themselves an array of important questions.  A recent article, “7 Questions to Answer Before Selling Your Business,” published by Good Men Project, has a great overview of questions sellers should answer before moving forward.…

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The Historic Levels of Small Businesses Being Sold Drops Slightly

By Steve Santens / June 11, 2019 / Comments Off on The Historic Levels of Small Businesses Being Sold Drops Slightly

The number of small business transitions continues to be strong for the first quarter of 2019.  In fact, despite a small decline, small business transitions remain at historically high levels. Looking at the Statistics According to a recent BizBuySell article entitled, “Number of Small Businesses Changing Hands Dips Slightly, But Market Remains Ripe for Buyers…

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IBBA and M&A Source Market Pulse Survey Report Predicts Major Changes

By Steve Santens / June 1, 2019 / Comments Off on IBBA and M&A Source Market Pulse Survey Report Predicts Major Changes

The IBBA and M&A Source Market Pulse Survey Report for the fourth quarter of 2018 has a range of interesting insights.  The survey’s purpose is to provide an “accurate understanding of market conditions for businesses being sold in Main Street (values $0-$2MM) and the Lower Middle Market (values $2MM-$50MM).  This national survey was designed as…

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A Must Read Article on Having Children Take Over the Family Business

By Steve Santens / May 4, 2019 / Comments Off on A Must Read Article on Having Children Take Over the Family Business

In a recent Divestopedia article entitled, “Kids Take Over the Business? 8 Things to Consider,” author Josh Patrick examines what every business owner should know about having their children take over their business.  He points out that there are no modern and accurate numbers on what percentage of businesses will be taken over by the…

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