• Timing is critical when selling a business; consider economic climate, industry trends, and the strength of your business.
• Understand ownership structure and involve relevant professionals in the process, like attorneys and appraisers.
• Find an experienced appraiser to accurately value the business before negotiating with buyers.
• Be aware of buyers’ financial capacity and have realistic expectations for the sale.
• Consult a tax expert to understand the tax implications of selling your business.
As a business owner, you have likely invested endless hours of hard work, dedication, and energy into building your company from scratch. You have overcome numerous obstacles to creating a thriving business by developing a successful business plan, developing a unique brand, hiring staff, and building an impressive client base.
However, you may eventually decide to sell your business due to retirement or wanting to move on to other ventures. But before you jump into selling your business, it’s essential to understand the complexities of the process to ensure that you get the best deal possible.
1. Timing of Sale:
Timing is everything when it comes to selling your business. To find the ideal timing, take note of the current economic climate, industry trends, and the strength of your business. If the industry is experiencing constant growth and your business is doing well, that might be the perfect time to consider selling.
It’s also essential to consider your situation, so ensure that everything’s aligned to get the most value for your business. If you’re considering leaving the industry, acting before you burn out or lose enthusiasm for the company is essential.
2. Ownership
Depending on the structure of your business, there may be multiple owners. If you’re part of a partnership, it is essential to clearly define ownership and decide how the sale will be managed. For one, many businesses are owned by couples. But during a divorce, the ownership of a company can become complicated. Selling can further complicate the situation, so working with a reliable divorce attorney with experience in business ownership and sales is essential.
Other factors to consider include the number of shareholders, family members involved, and successors. These can create unique complications in selling a business, so it’s critical to understand the ownership structure before taking any further steps.
3. Business Valuation:
Every business owner wants to get the highest possible price for their business. But how do you determine the accurate value of your business? A business appraiser can aid you in assessing the value of your business with an approach that meets specific criteria for your type of business structure.
Look for an experienced appraiser with the credentials to back their work and the knowledge of industry trends. An appraiser will analyze your business financial statements, client base, and other vital factors to determine the accurate value of your business. They can also inform you of the factors that determine your business value and how to maximize it.
4. Negotiating with Buyers:
Negotiation is a crucial part of selling a business. As a business owner, you should have great control over negotiating with prospective buyers. It’s essential to have an attorney present to guide you through every step, addressing different aspects of legal issues and providing you with wise counsel. Here are some tips when negotiating:
a. Research buyers and their financial capacity
Many buyers will try to leverage their financial advantage, so knowing prospective buyers is essential. It would be best to research their financial position to avoid being taken advantage of.
b. Have realistic expectations
Setting an excessively high asking price will prevent buyers from considering your business. Having realistic expectations and being willing to negotiate a reasonable figure you are comfortable with is essential.
c. Stay organized
Selling a business requires significant time and effort, so staying on top of everything is essential. Having the appropriate documents in order, researching the market, and understanding the legalities will make negotiating much more straightforward.
d. Know when to walk away
As a business owner, you should have the courage to walk away if the deal doesn’t seem fair. If negotiations are dragging, don’t be afraid to end the discussion and look for other potential buyers.
5. Tax Implications:
Taxes can significantly impact the selling decision of a business. The tax due will depend on your business’s structure, the purchase price, and the buyer’s intent. Discussing any tax implications with an experienced tax professional can be beneficial to ensure that you understand the entire process.
Selling a business is a lengthy, involved process that can be overwhelming, but it’s also gratifying when executed successfully. Understanding the complexities of the process can help you avoid common errors when selling your business, resulting in a more profitable and smooth transaction.
While selling your business is difficult, proper business evaluation, understanding ownership, negotiating with buyers, and considering tax implications will help you get the best outcome. With the appropriate guidance and understanding of the process, selling your business doesn’t have to be a stressful experience.
