I got on a call with a founder who turned his single biggest fear, selling to private equity, into his business model. He started a managed services provider (MSP) in 2010. Grew it to about 75 people and $12 million a year. He’s not a finance guy. He’s an operator who got tired of his […]
The Business Only You Can Run Is Worth Less Than You Think An owner-dependent business is one of the biggest reasons business owners leave money on the table when they sell. A few months ago I got on the phone with the owner of a residential HVAC company here in the Hudson Valley. Good business. […]
Every dollar you pull out in cash is a dollar that quietly lowers your exit price. “I put thirty, forty grand a month in my pocket. Cash.” An owner told me that recently like it was a selling point. I get why he thinks it is. To him, that cash is proof the business prints […]
The timeline for selling a business is one of the biggest surprises for first-time sellers: how long the process actually takes. Most business owners assume they’ll list the business, find a buyer in a few weeks, and close in a couple of months. The reality is different — and understanding the real timeline helps you […]
Seller financing — also called a seller note — is one of the most powerful tools in a business sale. It can help you close deals that otherwise wouldn’t happen, command a higher sale price, and potentially reduce your tax burden. But it also comes with real risk. Here’s a complete breakdown of how it […]
A business acquisition in the $5M–$20M range is active, competitive, and nuanced. Buyers in this range — private equity firms, strategic acquirers, search fund operators, and high-net-worth individuals — have clear criteria. Understanding what they want and positioning your business accordingly is the difference between a smooth sale at a premium price and months of […]
How to sell a business after 50 is a question a lot of owners start asking once they realize how much they’ve built. You’ve run your business for 10, 15, maybe 20 years. Now you’re thinking about what comes next — whether that’s full retirement, a new venture, or just getting paid for the years […]
How to value your business before selling is the first question every owner should answer — before you list it for sale, before you talk to a broker, before you entertain a buyer’s offer. Most business owners either overestimate (leading to stalled deals) or underestimate (leaving money on the table). This guide walks you through […]
