Why Every Business Partnership Needs a Written Agreement
Starting a business with a friend, colleague, or someone in your family can feel uncomplicated at first. Because a level of trust already exists, business owners often make the mistake of skipping a formal partnership agreement. Unfortunately, even strong relationships can run into headaches when expectations are not clear. You never know when disagreements can…
Negotiating a Deal Means Asking Questions
Successful Deals Rely on Questions At the heart of any good deal is a series of questions. Selecting a business that is right for you is about asking the right questions and probing deeper when those answers seem problematic. Brokerage professionals are an essential ally in the negotiation process as they possess the skills necessary…
Five Key Points All Buyers Should Investigate
Have You Investigated These Key Points? Maintaining a cool head is essential when buying any business. Many businesses may seem like an excellent opportunity at first glance, only to unravel once carefully evaluated. Your excitement about owning a particular business must take a back seat to the cold, brutal facts. In this article, we’ll explore…
Buying a Business Without Traditional Collateral: What Do Buyers Need to Know
If you’ve ever applied for a mortgage or loan, you’re likely already quite familiar with the concept of collateral. Collateral is an asset that is pledged to secure a loan. It offers lenders a way to recover losses when borrowers default. When it comes to buying a business, prospective buyers typically assume that they will…
What Helps a Business Sale Actually Reach the Closing Table?
Receiving an offer on your business is a major milestone, but experienced buyers, sellers, and advisors know that an accepted offer is only one step in the transaction process. The real challenge is navigating the weeks (or sometimes months) between an agreement and a successful closing. While some deals are derailed by unforeseen events, most…
Why work with a business broker – A Real Client Story
A business owner who was considering selling his company reached out to us. After several discussions he decided to try and sell his company on his own. We gave him some initial guidance, wished him well and let him know we were here if he needed us. A year later, he contacted us again, expressing…
Is Owning a Business Right for You? 3 Questions That Bring Clarity
For some people, owning a business is a clear “no.” For others, it’s a persistent idea they can’t quite shake: the appeal of building something on their own terms, having more control over their income, and shaping the direction of their work and life. But business ownership is not just an aspiration. It’s a tradeoff.…
The Business Was Worth More Three Years Ago
We’ve had this conversation more times than we can count: an owner is finally ready to sell, but the business they’re bringing to market is no longer the business buyers would have paid a premium for three years earlier. The business has been good to them. They’ve built something real. But when we dig into…
A $5M Offer Isn’t Always Worth $5M: Why Deal Structure Decides What You Actually Keep
Ask a business owner what their company sold for and they’ll give you one number. Ask them what they actually walked away with — after debt payoff, taxes, the working capital adjustment, and the seller note that’s still being paid down — and you’ll get a very different answer, usually accompanied by a story.…
Why Lease Terms Can Make or Break a Business Sale
When a business changes hands, the lease attached to it can be just as important as the business itself. This is especially true for restaurants, retail stores, salons, and other companies that rely heavily on location and customer traffic. A strong location can add value to a business. However, the downside of the equation is…