We spend a lot of time with owner operators helping them plan their transition strategies. There is often a strong emotional connection for a business from the owner that has built the business from scratch and devoted many hours – possibly decades – of their life to making it grow. When a buyer gets involved …
The easy answer? When you don’t need to! Many owners don’t consider selling their businesses when everything is running fantastic because that’s when all the hard work is starting to pay off, but this is the exact same reason why your business will be most attractive to a potential buyer. Business sale prices are dynamic …
Are you exhausted? Frustrated? Many of us are right now with the COVID-19 off-and-on life and its need for constant change and adaptation. But you may be holding your business back. Many businesses suffer from the exhaustion and/or stagnation of its founder(s), which often results in a plateauing and eventual decline in business results. This …
Changes in your life, the economy or now, even a pandemic, can dictate when you sell your business. In this client planning focus, the owner’s family situation dictated the timing of the sale. We received a call from a client who said, “I have to sell my business now!” We’d heard this from them before, …
Two Stage Buyouts – Reduce Risk and Increase Value Read More »
Your business is likely one of your most valuable assets, but it is also an illiquid one. It will take time to unlock its value and convert it to cash or an asset that you can invest or spend. Preparation and planning ahead are important, so that you are satisfied with the sale price and …
After years working in M&A, it should be noted that in the Small Business sector (we define it as businesses under $10 million in sales), there has been an almost equal number of deals that don’t close, as successful sales and ownership transitions. SME owners are often personally attached to their business and can lose sight of their end …
Businesses that operated successfully during the COVID-19 shutdowns have experienced the best stress test possible and are considered ideal acquisition targets going forward. Successful operation throughout the 2020 lockdowns is a testament to the industry and management of these businesses and is certainly something to be applauded. Essential businesses that survived through the lockdowns will …
I was approached by a well-known buyer recently to see if I was aware of any businesses for sale in a specific skilled trade sector. Throughout my network, I was aware of a mature business owner that was trying to determine the appropriate transition option for him but had not formally committed to listing his …
Transition Architects has been working with a mature client with a successful business in the trades. His adult son has been involved with the business for many years and the owner considered his succession as one of his possible transition/retirement options. However, while his son is interested and has strong trade/ operational skills, he doesn’t …
We were engaged by the wife of the founder of a company to sell the business several years after her husband had passed away. The wife had no direct experience in the millwright business but fortunately had been involved with the bookkeeping and payroll, so was comfortable keeping the business running short term. Unfortunately, the …