Knowledge Base
Selling your life's work is a very complex and nuanced process - we simplify it for you!
Resource Library
The amount of information to understand in selling your life’s work can be overwhelming. We curated a library of the most common topics, concepts and processes answering the various questions owners have and how-to approach each step along the way.
The Process
Our #1 job is to get you the best possible offer at a great value and sale structure – creating competitive friction to achieve that best offer in a secure and confidential process producing the results you must have!
What a Sales Process Looks Like
Selling your life’s work is a challenging process, and we make it simple resulting in creating generational wealth for our clients when followed.
Steps to Selling Your Life’s Work begins by shifting mindset from an operator to a seller. The duality is challenging as the process is complicated and nuanced. Our job is to make it simple and secure the highest price and best terms possible.
Is there a perfect time to sell? Maybe not perfect, but the best time to sell is when you’re prepared, your industry and your financials are trending up. Is it the only way? Find out the result you must have to maximize your price and minimize your risk.
There are many reasons Why Your Business Might Not Sell. Here’s 3 Reasons Why
When the time comes to sell your life’s work, avoiding the landmines that can cost you hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars is paramount. Here are some Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Your Business.
Goals & Objectives
It’s critical for you to look beyond the monetary value of your business to what those proceeds provide for you, your family and your employees. If you only focus on maximizing to the last dollar, you will eventually be disappointed.
You’re at a crossroads – torn between taking some chips off the table and sticking it out? The more you know, the better your strategic decisions will be. We take a look at Why Sell Your Business and Why Sell Now. Knowledge is power and educating yourself ensures your opportunity sells for maximum value. There are significant disadvantages and risks to waiting too long to sell.
How much do you need – the $10MM question. Everyone has different needs, wants and goals post-closing. With no OSFM plan that will work in any situation, the answer to ‘how much’ question requires introspection and analysis. Find out ‘How Much’ here.
It’s easy for owners to underestimate the emotional side of selling life’s work. Preparing for those emotions may be more important than the financial side. The Emotional Side of Selling Your Business
Saying goodbye to your company, co-workers, and friends who’ve been a significant part of your life is beyond dollars and cents. Life after the sale is about What’s Next?
Preparation
You have worked hard to grow your business, and you should be awarded the valuation you deserve. When you put yourself in a potential buyer’s shoes, you’ll see your business with fresh eyes.
Readiness Planning Checklist simple, practical & powerful advice to prepare your life’s work for transition or sale and exit.
Control Calculators: Break Even Calculator, 3 Profit Models, The Financial Trinity (Cash Flow, Balance Sheet, Income Statement), Amortization Schedule, Loan Comparison, Million Dollar Runway, Retirement Calculator, A/R Aging, Customer Acquisition, Capital Investment, Lease – Buy Options.
Price v. Value
The most important distinction between price and value is the fact that price is arbitrary and value is fundamental. Price is what a buyer is willing to pay. Value is fluid and your hard work demands a valuation you literally can bank on.
How much is your business worth? You can’t sell your life’s work if you don’t know its worth. We employ certified valuation experts well versed in valuing businesses. If you’re contemplating selling your business, raising capital, investor equity, pursuing a legal claim, dealing with partner disputes or a divorce, succession planning or an IRS-related events you must obtain a valuation report.
Our gap analysis process compares a businesses current performance to the performance expectations of potential buyers to help you identify any opportunities or shortcomings. A strategy is created to overcome any issues and improve business operations. A gap analysis can be completed in four simple steps. Take a look at some Value Drivers you can implement.
Your business is more than blood, sweat and tears. You’ve sacrificed for years and you want to get the highest price possible when it’s time to sell. Some buyers may not have the same belief in the price you want. A gap exists you want ‘X’ more money than a buyer is willing to pay. We created a tool to evaluate and to close the gap between what a buyer will pay (current valuation) and your desired valuation.
Quality of Earning (QofE) is a value-added way to estimate the future performance of a business. This assessment of earnings more accurately reflect operational efficiency. The report also analyzes historical revenues and expenses, sales and major customer concentrations and expense add-backs prepared by our team of NACVA-certified Master Analysts in Financial Forensics (MAFF) and takes approximately 6 weeks.
Your Dream Team
Preparing your business for sale is made easier with the help of an advisory team – Legal Counsel, Tax Guidance, Accounting Expertise, Wealth Advisor et al as required. Lay the groundwork early to lead and direct other advisors to your goal – a successful sale!
Confidentiality
A relationship built on trust, respect and loyalty establishes an efficient exchange of sensitive information. As your M&A Advisory, our adherence and proven strategies to a standard of reasonable care ensure your case is confidential from beginning to end.
Marketing
The best marketing strategy is a profitable business attracting buyers willing to pay top dollar! Here are the most effective ways to confidentially market your business for sale.
IOI & LOI
The Indication of Interest (IOI) is an essential starting point – the first note in a symphony – setting the stage for a competitive process. The Letter of Intent (LOI) is the most important document in your sale forming the basis of your transaction.
Due Diligence
The never-ending proctology exam to those unaware and unprepared. The process of scrutinizing the financial, legal, and operational facets of your life’s work. We ensure you’re totally prepared and your case won’t die!
Deal Structures
The Terms & Conditions to a mutual agreement for your business case. This process of prioritizing the objectives ensures the top-priority objectives of all parties involved are satisfied along with accounting for the risk each party must accept.
Closing
The emotional and financial execution of the sale of your life’s work. This section involves the legal contract between buyer and seller, negotiating the purchase agreement, earnouts, rollover equity to resolving post-closing disputes.
Transition
From officially transferring your business to the buyer at closing, understanding transition periods, logistics & mechanics of the hand-off to letting go of your business and entering your next chapter.
many files are accessible via Dropbox.com
