Ruth and Jim are contemplating a major life-changing event … leaving the corporate world where each has served for over 20 years … with no intent to retire. Given their enviable financial position, they are prepared to liquidate their stock market holdings and seek opportunities to own their own business.

You’ve known one or more business owners who “cashed out” and enjoy a more than comfortable financial cushion … or at least you’ve heard about those successes. With few exceptions, the reason behind those economic triumphs is not just luck. Invariably, it was a series of conscious actions specifically designed to prepare the business to sell at peak sale value.

You’ve known one or more business owners who “cashed out” and enjoy a more than comfortable financial cushion … or at least you’ve heard about those successes. With few exceptions, the reason behind those economic triumphs is not just luck. Invariably, it was a series of conscious actions specifically designed to prepare the business to sell at peak sale value.

You’ve built a significant asset through hard work, ingenuity and diligence. Don’t squander it … sell it for peak value! Your Guiding Principle … Appeal to Buyers Needs and Expectations.  Here’s What They Want to See and Know!

The value of your company is “in the eyes of the beholder”. That means what a qualified buyer is willing to pay, not what you would like to walk away with from the closing table. So let’s prepare a roadmap of “getting-ready-to-get-ready” to prepare your business for sale at peak value.

Your next challenge is the hard work of due diligence. Whether you have past success in buying a closely held business or are relying on the proven professional capabilities of a seasoned business broker/advisor, it is an absolute must to get solid answers to questions regarding the six major drivers of business value.

Buying your own business, especially if it’s your first time as an entrepreneur, is a daunting undertaking … but not impossible given the right planning and execution. There are a lot of moving parts to consider including a careful analysis of physical assets, financial statements, strengths of management, employee engagement … and relationships with customers, the community and competitors.

So you may want to sell your business someday. That’s something small business owners think about, but seldom plan for. The facts … 70% of closely held businesses ultimately just shut their doors when the owner(s) choose not to continue working or otherwise are unable to do so. You’ve built a valuable asset through hard work, ingenuity and diligence. Don’t squander it … sell it!

You’ve spent considerable time, perhaps decades, realizing your vision of the business you created. And now you’re at the enviable, yet frightening, crossroads of what to do next. Do you continue to grow your enterprise, pass it on to your offspring or prep it for sale?

So you’re thinking about selling your business?  Well, here are six considerations with which you will need to come to grips: Realistic Expectations, Business Value, You’re Too Busy To Sell Your Business, Potential Buyers, Curb Appeal, Get Your House in Order. This article will lay out the basics for each of these six critical elements.