Tag Archives: business broker

The Right Time to Sell My Business

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BusinessBroker

The Right Time to Sell My Business?

 

 

When is the right time to sell my business.  Timing is Everything.  As a business owner this is a question I faced and as a business broker I realize many business owners have this same very important decision.

The answer on the right  timing is different for most all business owners.  Furthermore the answer may lie more in the question(s).

Do I want to sell my business…. or do I want to transition it to family or just close the doors or other?

Do I sell it when the business is not doing well?

Do I sell it when the business is doing well?

Do I sell my business when the economy is down?  Economy is doing better is now the time?

How do I even begin looking at the process and time involved to sell my business?

Health. life, age, family, money,  are all factors that go into this very important decision. A business sale does not occur within a vacuum .

What is going on in my business , in my industry, in our current economy, in our  economy going forward  all affect value.

What effect does the aging Baby Boomer population have.  Estimates I see are we have approx. 75 Million Baby Boomers in the US which is almost 25% of our population (born between 1946 and 1964 so current age group of  54-70).  Many of those will exit business over the next several years.

Will there be a “glut of available businesses for sale?  Will this drive down the prices?

I don’t know but do believe it could affect values.

While running my business I had interested unsolicited parties come forward with an interest in acquiring my business, discussion were had and we even got to the points of an LOI (Letter of Intent) and Purchase offer being presented.  The offers were reasonable but I was “not ready”.  When consulting with my CPA, his advice to me is “You will know when you are ready”.  I continued to run my business for another 10 years and hit a point  when “I was ready”.

Selling ones business involves a lot of moving parts.  I do believe it is prudent to sell your business under your terms, not based on terms dictated to you.  (health, divorce, legal matters or other negative event forcing a sale)

As a business owner we deal with risk.  We do our best to mitigate risk but the risk of owning a business is carried with us until we know longer own that business.  Mitigating the risk of  having to sell your business under terms not dictated by you should be a priority.  So if you are “not ready”  Is it time to start getting ready ?

  • Gain knowledge about the process
  • Have a realistic view about the “salability” of your business.
  • Know that selling a business when that business  is doing well is significantly more doable than a business  in a lesser state.
  • Know that not all businesses that try to sell DO NOT and or maybe sell for a fraction of perceived value.
  • Have a plan

 

A lot go into the decision of the “Right Time” to sell a business. And part of my job as a business broker is sharing my experiences with the process.  But being ready psychologically, emotionally, financially is a timing question that only you can answer.    “Are you Ready ?” or are you “Ready to start getting Ready”.

Scott M Messinger is a Business Broker working with Business Sellers and Buyers focused in South Carolina Florida and Southeast USA.  For more information go to SellaBusinessAdvisors.com

What is My Business Worth

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What  is My Business Worth  ?

What  Is my Business Worth ?  It is a Question I have asked as a Business Owner, As a Business Buyer I have asked myself How much is this business worth.  As a Business Broker I have had a Business Owner ask me my opinion regarding how much their business is worth .  And as a Business Broker I have had a potential Business Buyer ask me what a business may be worth.

what is my business worth

Business Broker South Carolina Florida

What is my Business worth ?  It depends, Depends on what?  The list can be long.

Type of Business,  Industry, customer base, difficulty of business transition, How the business is currently being run, how the business can be run, assets,  does the business enjoy recurring revenue, what sort of cash flow is business generating are a few determinant factors.

Cash Flow may be the most important price determinant of this list.  How much is the business making?  How much is the business making the owner? (Owner Benefit or Adjusted Cash Flow-  this is different than Net Income and or Profit that may show up on companys P&L or taxes).  What multiple of cash flow will this business sell for? In our recent market conditions the lions  share of Main Street type business are sold at multiples of cash flow in the 1.5- 3.5 time adjusted cash flow.  Some do sell for more some for less.

Often a Business Owners decision to sell is based on- what is my business worth . What can one expect to “Net”  from the sale of the business OR is  continuing to run the business a better fit.

Business value can vary from buyer to buyer and the business value to the Seller can be different than the market value.

The market value of a business is ultimately defined by what a willing capable buyer is willing to pay for a business.  IF 3 potential buyers are willing to offer $400,000 for a specific business and that business owner wants to sell for $600,000 is the Business Seller wrong for wanting to sell for $600k?

A Business Seller says – this is what my business is worth.  A Business Buyer says -no it is not, but this is what the value is to me- who is right?  they both may be right or they may both be wrong.   But if you truly  have 2 interested parties,  it is not a matter or right or wrong rather a question of can you find some common ground to further discussion.

The value of a business to a “Strategic Buyer” which could be a competitor, supplier or related business, could be different than the value to a “Financial Buyer”,  or an individual looking to acquire a business for existing cash flow and possibly increase the cash flow /value of the business.

When looking at Business Worth or Business Value what you are ultimately looking at is what is the  “Most Probable Selling Price” – which is different than an Asking price or Listing Price.  A Seller  can ask whatever he/she chooses,  but will there be a buyer at that price.  “This is what I want for my business” or This is what I need for my business” also can be different than a Selling Price.

I believe an effective means to try to get to the Most Probable Selling price of a business is an approach that can be both simple and difficult.

Can  the Seller of a business attempt to take on the perspective of a Business Buyer ?   I think the likelihood of setting  Selling/Buying terms, goals, values that are achievable are greatly increased.  Can the Seller look at his/her business through the eyes of a buyer?

Seller may say- ” I want my full asking price all up front”

Buyer may say – ” Doesn’t’  the Seller believe in his business and show it by being willing to hold a note”.

Seller says ” I want 5 times my  cash flow because I have a great business”

Buyer says- “most other businesses like yours are sold at 2 times cash flow”

Seller says- “This is what I want for my business”,  So the question to the Seller  would be- “Would you as a business buyer pay that for your business? – You are knowledgeable and experienced in your field, Would you pay all that money at closing or would you as a business buyer pursue some Seller financing or “holdback” , you are looking for a good value,  would you pay over double what other like business are being sold for?

Again-  “What is my Business Worth”-  It is what a qualified , capable party is willing to pay, but looking at Selling your business through the eyes of one trying to buy a business can provide an invaluable perspective.

Scott Messinger is a Business Broker as well as a current and former business owners.  Business experience over the last 30 years includes personally buying 9 businesses, starting, growing, running and selling  a successful business, and representing buyers and sellers as a business broker.  For further Info call (239) 770-2421 or Scott@gwbusinessadvisors.com  Looking for a Florida Business For Sale?

 

Selling Your Business How to Find a Buyer

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Selling your Business How to Find a  Buyer

Selling your business

You have decided you want to sell your business.  How do you find a buyer for your business?

When a business has been in existence for many years, 10-20-30-40+ years it is not uncommon for the business owner to be approached about selling his/hers business. Or it is not uncommon to “hear about someone interested in buying the business” or have someone express “interest in buying the business”.  Selling your business can be a challenge.   I have seen and experienced this as a business owner and as a business broker. So one may think  “if these  people are interested in buying the business and I’m not even trying to sell it, I think it may be very doable to find a buyer when I am ready to sell my business.” But like a lot of other complex processes, “the devil is in the detail.”  Often  , when ready to sell your  business,  it turns out the person  or competitor, or strategic buyer prospect that was interested in the business 1,2, 3 years ago, is no longer interested- their situation has changed.  Or the guy that said he knew someone  that was interested in the business, doesn’t have the resources to consummate a deal. So how does a business owner find a buyer for the business. 1. Try to find a buyer on his/her own. 2. Hire a Business Broker to find a buyer.   Neither options are guaranteed. What is generally not known by one trying to sell a business is that MANY  businesses that actively try to sell their business DO NOT SELL.  Industry statistics show that well over 1/2 of all businesses that actively try to sell actually do NOT  transition the business to a new buyer. But it is with little doubt that hiring a qualified business broker greatly increases ones odds of finding a buyer.  It is my opinion that a significant reason why utilizing a business broker is the simple fact that most business owners already have their hands full running their business.  And then to add  the components of selling a business to their day is barely doable at best. Marketing the business, vetting out buyer prospects, tire kickers, not disclosing the confidential component of the sale are just a few responsibilities that are easy to do  while continuing to run their business.   Often there is not enough hours in the day to get all that done and run the business. A business broker is able to have “generic dialogue” with competitors and strategic buyers without disclosing the name of the business.  If  Mike from Mikes Towing approaches ABC towing about buying their business, then ABC business knows Mikes Towing is for Sale. If Scott from XYZ  Business Brokerage approaches ABC Towing about a Towing business in the Jacksonville Florida area- confidentiality is maintained. But as a Business Broker we market  looking for business buyers across many different platforms, often searching locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.    So often business buyers are from “Somewhere else”.   Also a business buyer is someone that buys a business.  About 9 out of 10 people that approach about an interest in buying a business don’t buy a business.  They may one day, but that may not be this year or next year.  They are prospective business buyers.- As a business Seller you are looking for a Business Buyer. I personally have bought  several business over the last 25 years. I have made the decision to buy a business- found a business that met my goals and then concern myself greatly if I cannot effectively acquire the business   Many “Business Buyers” looking for a business do not ever make an offer on a business , or buy a business.  They may be a perpetual business buyer prospect, or they may truly be ready to take the next step and be a business buyer. Knowing the difference between a prospective business buyer and actual business buyer can be the difference between an effective sale or a frustrating  time demanding process .   Selling your business can be a challenge. For More information on Selling a Business or Buying a Business  Scott M Messinger (239) 770-2421

How to Sell Your Business-Two Most Important Ingredients

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How to Sell Your Business-Two Most Important Ingredients

How to Sell your business very often  involves many many moving parts and finding the right Buyer for your business can be a very involved process.  Do you use a business broker to sell your business?  Do you try to sell your  business yourself?  These are just a couple of the initial questions a business owner must answer to begin the process of selling ones business.  When selling a business it is easy to think that I will sell my business to “the first person to comes along with enough money to pay my asking price” .

The Right Conditions For Selling Your Business

The sale of a business involves many terms and conditions by both the buyer and seller that must be met to consummate in a sale.  Very often as you go thru the process of due diligence by both the buyer and seller, wants and needs are uncovered, and potential roadblocks to completing the sale can occur. Two important elements have a very strong impact on increasing the likelihood of a successful sale of a business.

When trying to sell your business are you working with:

An Interested-Qualified Buyer?.

  • An Interested business buyer
  • A Qualified business buyer

As a business broker based in Anderson South Carolina, one of my more important responsibilities  when I represent a business owner selling their business is to qualify or “pre-screen” the various inquiries on the business for sale.  There are many people that inquire/ask about a business for sale and probably less than 5% of those buyer prospects actually buy a business at all.

Difference Between Qualified And Interested Buyer

A Qualified buyer can mean many things, but having the adequate available cash, equity, financing, special skillset, proper personal family and life situations are important to establish.

An Interested Buyer is one that wants to buy the business.  They have seen basic information on the business and based on that, if no significant negatives or unknowns surface, they want to buy the business.  There will always be a lot of due diligence, verification, questions and answers, but this buyers desires to see the process move forward.  If my wife and I were looking to buy a new home, and she finds a home that she likes- I am pretty much transformed into an Interested Buyer.

I may turn from looking to buy a home to working to buy this certain home.  Issues may occur when doing the due diligence on buying the home but I task these as issues to overcome, not reasons to get out of the deal- If I am a truly interested buyer (and or my wife really wants the house).

When going through proper due diligence many discoveries and discrepancies can be uncovered.  When you have a Seller that is truly interested in selling their business and you are working with an interested and qualified buyer, issues uncovered in due diligence are not “Gothcha” moments but rather are business related issues that both parties seek equitable resolution and or explanation on. Issues that surface become hurdles but not roadblocks.

Buying and selling a business is a process.  When Selling your business at some point in the process you ascertain that you are working with an interested qualified buyer.  From my perspective, having an interested Seller and recognizing that you are working with a truly interested qualified buyer are two important ingredients towards a successful sale of a business.  Looking to Buy a Business in South Carolina or looking to sell your South Carolina business?

Scott Messinger

South Carolina Business Broker

Scott@GatewayBusinessAdvisors.com

Its not Who You Know its Who Knows You

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Our business world revolves around the type and number of business contacts and relationships we have nurtured.  Quality business relationships play a large part in a successful business. I am a business broker based in Florida and and I strongly value the business relationships I have. I don`t necessarily want to know more relevant people, I want more people to know me. As we network and strive to grow our business, its important to remember its not who you know, its who knows you.

Establishing The Right Relationships

We use various means to establish those relationships.  When we make it our goal to grow our businesses by “getting out there and meeting more people”, that effort can be somewhat miss-guided.  For every business person the needs are a little different.  I help people buy and sell business.  I strive to speak to more people that are considering buying a business.

I also prospect and market to reach small business owners that have an interest in selling their business.  In some businesses the largest asset may be the production equipment, in others it may be their building they own, in my business as a business broker my largest asset along with my experiences may be my business relationships.

Actually to me the concept of Business Relationships has changed significantly over the last several years with the evolving of the internet and social media. And the definition of a business relation has become somewhat blurred.

“On Facebook I have 1800 friends”, “on Twitter 12,000 Follow Me and I follow 14,000” “On Linked-In I have 2200  Contacts”.-  I actually dont have these sort of numbers but many of us know people that do.  The real fact, at least for me, is that if I have to use all my fingers and toes to count my real friends I consider myself fortunate.

Business Relationships

Photo (c) sheranescloset.com

Does Knowing People Mean That They Know You?

Do the 1800 Facebook friends know you ?, Do the 14,000 on Twitter know you?, Of the 2200 Contacts on Link-ed In , how many are going to shoot me an email when they want to Buy a Business or Sell a Business in Florida, or buy printer paper, or get my lawn service, or whatever my business offers?

As we strive to network and expand our sphere of relationships I recently got reminded of the actual goal of this effort , or rather what the end result of this effort should actually be.  Very often I think thru my networking efforts, I want to meet people, when really what I want to do is have people meet me, get to know me. I know who President Obama is,  I don`t really”know” President Obama.  So I know of President Obama- does that help my business -no.  But what if President Obama knew me or knew of me?

I know of Bill Gates-Microsoft.  So what?  What if Bill Gates knew of me?  But from a practical standpoint, knowing the president of the small business right here on Main St is nice, but meeting him and striving to get him to know me, and when he and his friends are talking and one strikes up the all to common conversation of ” Do you know anyone who…..”   can help me buy a business in Florida, this small business owner can say yes, I know this great business broker and his name is…