You have various options for selling your business. You can advertise it on specialized websites, post ads on social media, spread the word among your network, or reach out to local chambers of commerce. As you can see, there are plenty of avenues for selling your business yourself.
Many business owners deeply value their business and the effort they've invested to succeed. It can be tough to let go of something you've worked so hard to build. What factors might prompt a business owner to sell their business?
Some owners may desire retirement and wish to hand over operations to a younger, more energetic individual. Others might relocate to be closer to family or pursue opportunities abroad. Additionally, achieving their initial business goals may lead some to seek new challenges or ventures.
Thus, you may have your own motivation for selling your business. Regardless of your motivation, you must choose a method to sell your business. You can either handle the process yourself, investing time and effort in advertising and communicating with potential buyers, or enlist the services of a professional business broker, such as myself, who will manage these tasks on your behalf.
I understand a common concern: if you sell your business yourself, you won't have to pay a commission. However, if you hire a professional like myself, you'll need to pay for my services. Speaking from my experience as a former business owner of a nationally known franchise, I opted for proper representation and peace of mind when selling my business.
In the upcoming blogs, I'll share my personal experiences to help guide you through the process, although it's nearly impossible to cover every aspect. This is because each business has its own unique complexities. For instance, selling a franchised business differs from selling a non-franchised one. Additionally, businesses requiring licensing for transfer or including real estate pose unique challenges.
Every business sale, whether selling a small business, medium, or large-sized business, it needs to be evaluated for its complexities. Then, a business adviser like myself can offer guidance on the process.
The most common and usually the first question that a business owner has on their mind is how much is my business worth? Or what can I sell it for in the current market?
These questions are a good starting point and then you must start to work on a business valuation form that requires information from the owner that will help a business adviser like me to help determine the value.
After an initial estimation, I will be able to let you know that you should get a professional service to provide a value for your business, however, in most cases my experience in business sales should provide us a starting point where to price your business.
Running a business is stressful as it is, and then you are selling that business, it can be equally stressful, however, if we gather all the information ahead of time, it really can bring the stress level down and your experience will be much smoother. There is a method to the madness, and I will help you streamline it.
In the next blog I will cover the process to get started, and to set time expectations as well.
Categories: How To Sell A Business Contributor:
Cheryl's a restaurant business broker, over 25 years in the bar and restaurant industry coupled with a J.D. Cheryl works tirelessly to create successful strategies and effective negotiations for those who wish to purchase a new or sell an existing bar, restaurant, cafe, or night club. 415-309-2722
ServingCity Of San Francisco
The Veld Group provides a refreshing approach to Business Brokerage, Mergers & Acquisitions and Business Consulting and Valuations. From Your Street to Wall Street, we cater to Main Street Businesses as well as more complex Strategic Firms and Start-Ups.
ServingSouthern California
McGovern Escrow Services, Inc., is a leading independent escrow company. We are a trusted partner with our clients, assisting them through the tangled bulk sale & liquor license transfer process. We provide attentive, quality & innovative customer service. Phone Elizabeth McGovern at 415-735-3645.
ServingSan Francisco Bay Area, North Bay, Central Valley
Laundry consulting, due diligence, buyer representation: We preview laundries for you and evaluate them. 28 years laundry industry experience: buying, selling, valuing, retooling, analyzing, consulting services for laundry buyers and entrepreneurs in California. Contact us today about our services.
ServingSouthern California
Laundry consulting, due diligence, buyer representation: We preview laundries for you and evaluate them. 28 years laundry industry experience: buying, selling, valuing, retooling, analyzing, consulting services for laundry buyers and entrepreneurs in California. Contact us today about our services.
ServingSouthern California
If your business involves alcoholic beverage sales, we can help. Obtaining a liquor license transfer or selling a business with a license in California does not have to be a frustrating and overwhelming process. We have procured thousands of licenses for our clients.
ServingAll Of California
Laundromats and coin operated Laundromats are popular choices among business buyers as they often can be successfully run as an absentee run business. You need to be strategic about when you sell your Laundromat so you don't get taken to the cleaners by a buyer and so that you maximize your profits.
Buying a professional service business, like a dental practice, is one of the most profitable ventures you can enter into if you are considering becoming a small business owner. In this blog, Peter Siegel, MBA discusses six things you need to know about buying a successful dental practice or office.
Chuck Post a laundry consultant, specialty broker, buyer representative & due diligence advisor starts this discussion on why it's important to have an exit strategy in mind while buying a laundromat! He & others explain why this concept is so important for buyers especially in the laundry business.
Buying a liquor store can present some major challenges to business buyers - a recent client on the BizBen ProBuy Program relates to Peter Siegel, MBA what the major challenges may be when searching for and buying a Californa liquor store business. I welcome other Advisors to weigh in on this topic.
Sometimes business brokers just can't win with their clients, because if an offer comes in too fast & too early then they must have lowballed the price & the seller is suspicious, and if not enough offers come in after putting the business on the market - they may look unproductive to their clients.