Patience: How To Successfully Navigate Selling Your Business

Selling any business is a significant milestone. It often represents years of hard work, dedication and passion. Whether you’re looking to retire, pursue new opportunities or simply move on to the next chapter of your life – the decision to sell can be both exciting and daunting. Amidst the flurry of negotiations, due diligence and potential buyers one virtue is going to be the difference-maker: patience.

 

 

Patience is not merely the ability to wait but the capacity to maintain a positive attitude and sense of calm amid uncertainty. When it comes to selling your business, patience is essential throughout every stage of the process. From preparing your business for sale to negotiating terms with potential buyers, embracing patience allows you to navigate the journey with grace and resilience.

 

This is a good place to bring up the most crucial aspect of patience: setting realistic expectations. While it’s natural to hope for a quick and lucrative sale, the reality is that selling a business is often a complex and time-consuming endeavor. Think 9-12 months, on AVERAGE. The timeline for selling a business can vary widely depending on various factors including market conditions, industry trends and the size and complexity of your business. By tempering your expectations (and embracing the knowledge that this might take a while) you can approach selling with a realistic mindset and avoid unnecessary frustration or disappointment.

 

Patience also plays a crucial role in building relationships with potential buyers. Selling your business is not merely a transaction but a negotiation process that involves trust, communication and mutual understanding. Rushing the process or pressuring buyers can undermine trust and jeopardize the deal. Instead, take the time to cultivate relationships with potential buyers, understand their needs and motivations and address any concerns they may have. By demonstrating patience and attentiveness, you can foster a positive back-and-forth with buyers and increase the likelihood of reaching a closing table.

 

The journey of selling your business is rarely a smooth and linear path. Like any significant undertaking, it’s bound to have its ups and downs, setbacks and unexpected challenges. And it’s going to take TIME. During this process patience becomes your greatest ally – allowing you to maintain perspective, stay focused on your goals and persevere in the face of adversity.

 

Are you considering selling and want to know what a typical timeline for your type of business looks like? Would you like to know what businesses like yours have recently sold for? Ask us! Please leave any questions or comments and we would be happy to help.

 

 

 

Michael Monnot

941.518.7138
Mike@InfinityBusinessBrokers.com

 

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Bad Advice From Strangers: Why You Really Need A Business Broker

We all do it. We have a question about something, so we pick up our phone and ask Google. Or Reddit. Or Facebook Groups. While some of the information you can glean from online sources can be useful, it is a terrible idea to take online advice as absolute fact if you don’t know the qualifications of the person giving you that advice. The chances of the anonymous person commenting on your post being an expert in their field is probably pretty slim.

 

 

This is particularly important in the sphere of the purchase and sale of small businesses.

 

Why? The small business marketplace is a small world, and as such there really aren’t that many professionals overall who specialize in the sale and purchase of small businesses – and there’s even fewer who actually know what they’re doing.

 

Aside from the fact that the professionals who help people buy or sell businesses, known as business brokers, are relatively few in number there is an entire cohort of part-time or fly-by-night imposters who don’t think they need special expertise to help someone with a business transaction. We’ve encountered real estate agents, attorneys, accountants – even dentists pretending they are business brokers that can help you sell or buy a business as their side gig.

 

What this means is the people (well meaning or not) who are giving you advice on how to use EBITA to value a business or how to properly market your business for sale via a Reddit thread are unlikely to have any idea what they’re talking about.

 

Business transactions are inherently delicate for a number of reasons. There’s a lot of money changing hands. One person is selling their blood, sweat and tears while another is buying themselves the job they’ll be doing for the foreseeable future. Complex contracts are involved. Everything needs to be done under a veil of confidentiality so the business can stay in one piece.

 

A transaction involving so many moving pieces needs a careful hand to guide it. Someone who is experienced, qualified, has the industry connections and know-how, understands the possible pitfalls and has the integrity to keep everything above board. That person is a business broker, and probably not the person commenting in your Facebook Group.

 

What you need in the place of anonymous online advice is a conversation with a practicing, experienced and qualified business broker. Talking with a real person who knows what they’re doing will be exponentially better for you path to business ownership or your business sale than taking terrible advice from people who have no clue what they’re talking about. Calling a business broker can save you from untold amounts of agony by going into the business transaction process with real, factual information.

 

Do yourself and your future a favor. Don’t take advice from anonymous groups and call a business broker instead.

 

Have you fallen into the rabbit hole of online advice about buying or selling a business and can’t tell the good advice from the bad? Do you have questions about how a business broker can help you through the transaction process? Ask us! Please leave any questions or comments and we would be happy to help.

 

 

 

Michael Monnot

941.518.7138
Mike@InfinityBusinessBrokers.com

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Embrace The Digital: Why Small Businesses Need To Cater To Gen Z & Millennials

Most entrepreneurs aren’t young. There’s a large cohort of small business owners (and those looking to join their ranks as business buyers) who grew up before the start of the digital age. You know who you are. You ask the kids in your life to fix things on your phone. You prefer walking into a store and cash over digital purchases and Tap to Pay.

 

Most small business brick-and-mortar stores reflect this. Sure, you’ve got a business Facebook page – but no one can see what you’ve currently got on your shelves, read a proper menu provided by you or order something online and have it promptly shipped. Even for those businesses that do have an actual website they are often rarely updated, have clunky ordering systems and aren’t mobile-friendly.

 

 

If all of this is resonating with you – guess what? You need to embrace the digital age so you can attract the next generation of customers. Gen Z and Millennials are of working age, earning money and your future bread and butter. You need to be actively looking for ways to attract them away from huge retailers that make buying a one-click affair. These generations value small businesses, but you have to make it easy and meet them where they are.

 

How?

 

First and foremost you need a virtual presence. Your business Facebook page won’t cut it. You need a proper website that has all the information one would get if they walked into your physical business. What do you sell? When are you open? Where are you located? What is your business all about? How do they buy from you online? What’s currently in stock?

 

You also need social media channels. Instagram, X (Twitter) and the like are important if you want to reach the newest consumers to the market. You also need to update your virtual presence ALL THE TIME. If your last business Facebook post was in 2018, we’re looking at you.

 

If you aren’t super tech-savvy, you don’t have to be. There are many, many services out there from free website templates you can put together yourself to full-service digital companies that will run everything for you. Digital marketing is where your focus should be, so if you can afford it pay for all the help you can get.

 

If you are considering selling your business, a virtual presence is going to be crucial if you want to attract younger buyers who will care a lot about whether or not you exist online. If you’re buying a business, you need to look at ways you can revamp the marketing strategy of a business that doesn’t have much of a virtual presence from day one.

 

The message here is simple. The next generation of working and money-spending people are online, so that’s where you need to be too.

 

Are you a business owner who hasn’t updated your digital marketing in a while? Are you looking at businesses to buy and want to know more about how to revive a business without a virtual presence when you take over? Do you have questions about how to reach the newest cohort of customers and want to see businesses that are currently doing this well? Ask us! Leave any questions or comments and we would be happy to help.

 

 

 

Michael Monnot

941.518.7138
Mike@InfinityBusinessBrokers.com

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Don’t Communicate Without An Intermediary: Why You Should Keep Your Broker In The Middle

 

If you’re in the middle of the process to buy or sell a business, it can be tempting to contact the other side without using your business broker.

 

Why?

 

Say you just have one simple question, and to get that question answered you would have to call your broker, your broker calls the other broker, they ask their clients and then the answer gets passed back to you in reverse order.

 

This might seem incredibly inefficient, but the system is in place for a reason.

 

Let’s use the same example. You only have the one question, so you skip the intermediaries and call the other side. The conversation starts out innocently enough, but then your one question turns into five more, and as you continue asking the person on the other side becomes very offended by your questions, gets angry, hangs up and then decides not to move forward with the deal. Your one question just cost the whole transaction.

 

Business brokers, also known as business intermediaries are there for one reason, to protect the transaction. This is an incredibly important role, as without an intermediary most deals wouldn’t make it to closing.

 

Business transactions are inherently complicated, as someone’s hard work and someone else’s money are about to be exchanged. Like it or not, both buyers and sellers in business transactions have a lot to lose, and many seemingly innocent questions and statements can be misconstrued as offensive and can cause deals to fall apart and both sides to lose money.

 

Another major pitfall of going around the intermediaries? In almost all business transactions, there is a training period that occurs shortly after closing. Want to know what’s not fun and is seriously unproductive? When a buyer and seller hate each other and then have to work together.

 

Don’t make the mistake of trying to go around the intermediaries in the process. Your broker is there to act as a buffer and is there to help you, so keep them in the middle and you will have a far better chance at transaction success.

 

Are you a buyer or seller who has questions about the role of a business broker in your transaction? Ask us! Please leave a comment or question here, and we will be happy to assist you.

 

 

 

Michael Monnot

941.518.7138
Mike@InfinityBusinessBrokers.com

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Are You A Business Seller? What Are You Going To Do After The Closing Table?

If you own a business, we know you’ve already thought about it. The endgame. Retirement from small business ownership. Travel. New adventures.

 

Sure, we’ve all had the daydreams. If you are seriously considering selling your business, these daydreams are going to need to take on a more concrete form. Have you sincerely thought about what you are going to do when you leave the closing table?

 

 

What do business sellers do when they’ve sold their business? It varies. Some fully retire, some go back to the 9 to 5 game. Others take up volunteer efforts. The most common thread we see, however, is that someone who has owned their own business isn’t very good at sitting around.

 

If you haven’t had the chance to really consider your post-owner life, here’s what we see most business sellers do – they buy a new business.

 

Although it might seem crazy, business sellers do typically end up heading right back into entrepreneurship. Most take a bit of time off to do all those things that owning a business won’t let you do – like going on a three week vacation – but then that entrepreneurial itch starts up again.

 

If this sounds like you, then considering what kind of business you may want for your next venture is something you can do long before you sell the business you have. Maybe you are interested in a different industry, maybe you want to work in the same field but you have another location in mind.

 

Whatever your thoughts on the matter are, it is a good idea to have a conversation with your business broker about your post-sale goals. This will give you first-crack at any great businesses coming up for sale and allow you to decide how much of the proceeds you would make for the sale of your current business that could be used for the purchase of a new one.

 

If selling your current business is something in your future plans, think about your post-sale goals. Perhaps a new business would be the best plan for you!

 

Are you a business seller who is considering buying another business? Are you curious about the businesses that are currently on the market that might be an option for you? Ask us! Please leave us a question or comment here, and we will be happy to assist you on your next entrepreneurial chapter.

 

 

 

Michael Monnot

941.518.7138
Mike@InfinityBusinessBrokers.com

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Honesty Is The Best Policy: Why Creative Financials Are A Bad Idea

When you put your business up for sale, you obviously want to present the work you’ve done and your assets in the best light. What you don’t want to do is overdue it. It is incredibly important to avoid the mistake of trying to make the business look good by falsifying, leaving out, or misrepresenting your financial information. Not only can these “creative” financials be illegal, it is always incredibly unethical.

 

As a buyer, you obviously don’t want to end up with a business whose numbers are no where near what was described.

 

For both sides of the transaction, the due diligence phase will be the great equalizer. This part of the transaction is where the buyer gets to go over the books. If you are a seller who has tried to tweak your numbers, this is where your tactics will be discovered. When buyers find out that the numbers aren’t true, the deal will more than likely fall apart.

 

 

Here are some common instances of creative number tweaking that sellers should avoid and buyers should look out for:

 

Don’t try to over value any assets in the business. If you bought the kitchen hood five years ago, you are not going to be able to put today’s retail price for the new model on your asset list. Be realistic, and use the help of your business broker and your transaction accountant to put price tags on the business assets. Only use a business transaction CPA for this, as a CPA unfamiliar with the ins and outs of a business transaction will always give you values that don’t jive with the current business market.

 

Don’t undervalue any liabilities, tax debts, etc. This will cause the net worth of the business to appear much larger than it actually is. The buyer will more than likely find out, and then they will be unable to trust anything you say moving forward.

 

As a seller, the temptation might be there to make your business appear more stable or profitable than it already is, but what you need to know is even unprofitable businesses sell. If a buyer is ready, willing and able to make the necessary changes you have been unable to make, your business will be a great buy for them.

 

As a buyer, you need to be vigilant during the transaction process, especially during the due diligence phase. If something seems wrong, it probably is. The same holds true for businesses that appear too good to be true. Use the services of a business broker and a business transaction accountant to help you decide if the numbers really are what the seller claims they are.

 

The conclusion? Be honest and deal-killing issues will not arise later.

 

Are you a buyer who is suspicious of the numbers you were presented with? Are you a seller who is concerned about revealing your true numbers to buyers? Talk to us today! Please feel free to leave us a question or comment here, and we will be happy to help.

 

 

 

Michael Monnot

941.518.7138
Mike@InfinityBusinessBrokers.com

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Great Broker/Bad Broker: How Asking Questions Ensures The Best Help

Like any industry, there are great business brokers and there are those who shouldn’t even call themselves business brokers.

 

How do you ensure that the broker you choose to list or buy with is one of the great ones?

 

 

Ask questions.

 

What kinds of partnerships do they have with other brokers and with broker’s associations?

 

If a broker is a lone-wolf of sorts with no industry connections, they might have a tough time properly marketing your business or getting access to the listings you are interested in.

 

How many transactions have they closed in the last year?

 

If a broker has only closed one business transaction in the last year (or none at all), they are likely not the broker for you. Results will speak volumes about work ethic and knowledge of the industry.

 

Do they work in a very large office with many brokers, or do they work in a much smaller brokerage?

 

The benefits of choosing a broker that is part of a much larger firm may be the associations with other brokers that they have in-house. This might give you access to more listings and more potential buyers. Just remember to ask about a broker’s individual results. The firm they work for may have sold 50 businesses last year, but they may have only been responsible for one. On the other hand, there are some in the industry (usually those who are part of a very large office) who will tell you that using a one man shop or a small brokerage is a mistake. This is not necessarily the case. Look at results and inquire about the industry associations they have. A one man shop or a small brokerage might be your best bet because they are able to achieve success without the backing of a larger firm – a surefire testimony to how they work.

 

Are they really a business broker?

 

This might sound like a ridiculous question to ask, but it is an important one. Some involved in the real estate industry will try to help clients with buying and selling businesses while they are working on home and property listings. Selling a house and selling a business are two completely different animals. You might have a great realtor, but that doesn’t mean that they will know the first thing about a business transaction. Other types of professionals may try to broker business transactions as a side business. Business brokers are specialists and their field, so use an actual business broker for any business transaction if you want to ensure success.

 

Are past clients happy?

 

Look for a business broker with positive reviews and testimonials from former clients. Ask about whether they have repeat clients, and if they have any references. Also inquire about how they get the majority of their new business. If it comes from referrals, then you know they are good at what they do.

 

As with any major business decision, do your homework. The right choice of business broker can make your buying or selling experience a very positive one.

 

Are you a buyer or seller and want to know more about how to choose a business broker? Would you like to know more about how we help our clients through a business transaction? Ask us! Leave any questions or comments and we would be happy to help.

 

 

 

Michael Monnot

941.518.7138
Mike@InfinityBusinessBrokers.com

 

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Don’t Tell ANYONE: Why Business Sellers Need To Keep Confidentiality In Place

If you’ve ever bought or sold a home, you know that the key to getting a property to the closing table is getting the word out that the property is for sale. As the seller of a home, you want people looking at your listing, perusing the pictures of the home inside and out, finding the home on a map and taking a drive by to check it out.

 

Isn’t the same true when you want to sell your business?

 

ABSOLUTELY NOT.

 

 

Business sales and real estate sales are two completely different animals. If you tell just a few people that your business is for sale the consequences can be devastating. People love a rumor and a bit of gossip, so if a few people know about your for-sale status it won’t take long for everyone to know your business is on the market.

 

Why is it a bad thing?

 

It will hurt your bottom line.

 

The time period from when you list your business to the day you reach the closing table should be a time period when you really push your numbers in a positive direction. Businesses with healthy numbers, with a good and stable list of clients and businesses with projected numbers on the rise are typically going to sell faster and for more money than those on a down-slide. It is imperative that you protect your business from anything that could cause problems with your bottom line – the major culprit in this sensitive time being a breach in confidentiality.

 

What could happen if confidentiality is breached?

 

Employees, nervous about the future under new ownership can leave and take their regular clientele with them. Vendors can decide to revoke perks you’ve had or cancel contracts. Customers may look elsewhere for their services because they worry about whether the quality they have come to expect from you will be the same under new management.

 

How can I keep my business sale under wraps?

 

Don’t tell anyone the business is for sale. Period. The only way that someone should be able to find out your business is on the market is if they get in touch with your business broker and sign the appropriate non-disclosure agreements. You shouldn’t talk about your business sale with your child’s elementary school teacher, the mailman or anyone else who is not your broker, transaction accountant, or transaction attorney.

 

Keep your business sale out of the rumor-mill by using the services of an experienced and qualified business broker – and don’t tell ANYONE. 

 

Are you thinking about selling and are concerned about confidentiality? Do you have questions about how your business broker can both market your business to potential buyers and also maintain confidentiality? Ask us! Please leave us a comment or question here and we can address any concerns you might have.

 

 

 

Michael Monnot

941.518.7138
Mike@InfinityBusinessBrokers.com

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You Don’t Want Us To Tell You What You Want To Hear: Choosing A Business Broker

When it comes to selling your business one of the most critical decisions you’ll make is selecting the right business broker. A trustworthy and experienced broker can be your guiding light through the complex process of selling your business.

 

One of the first things you’ll discuss with potential brokers is a listing price for your business. A caveat here: not all brokers are created equal – and it’s imperative to choose one who tells you the unvarnished truth about what your business is worth.

 

It does you no good to go with a broker who only tells you what you want to hear. 

 

Why would a broker tell you what you want to hear instead of listing your business for a realistic price? Your listing benefits them whether your business sells or not. 

 

 

A business broker who lets you list your business for whatever you want only wants your listing because the listing generates calls from potential buyers. Those potential buyers aren’t going to go for your absurdly priced business, but the broker doesn’t care because they can just offer those buyers a different listing that’s more reasonably priced. This is an important (but ugly) part of the business-for-sale market that’s important for you to understand when you’re deciding on a broker. The broker who pushes back, who is brutally honest and has the rationale to backup their thoughts is far, far better for your success than the guy who tells you yes to anything. 

 

Here’s why:

 

Many business owners understandably have a strong emotional attachment to their business. You’ve likely put in countless hours and your blood, sweat and tears. Consequently, you may overestimate the value of your business based on sentiment rather than a realistic assessment of market conditions, financials and other objective factors. This is where a blunt business broker becomes invaluable.

 

A broker who actually has your success as the primary goal will conduct a thorough and objective business valuation based on market trends, financial data and industry benchmarks. They won’t inflate the value to appease your expectations, but rather provide an accurate assessment, even if it’s less than what you had hoped for.

 

While it’s natural to want a ton of money for your business, a good broker will help you set realistic expectations. Look for someone who backs up their thoughts with real metrics and has your best interest at heart, whether you like what you hear or not.

 

Would you like to know what businesses like yours are currently selling for? Do you have questions about how we help you put together a realistic listing price for your business? Ask us! Leave any questions or comments and we would be happy to help.

 

 

 

Michael Monnot

941.518.7138
Mike@InfinityBusinessBrokers.com

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Unlocking New Opportunities: How Business Sellers Can Benefit From Immigrant Entrepreneurs

As the global marketplace continues to expand, business sellers have a unique opportunity to tap into a large pool of motivated and ambitious buyers – immigrant entrepreneurs. 

 

 

The E2 Visa and EB-5 Visa programs offer a pathway for foreign investors to obtain residency in the United States through entrepreneurship and business ownership. While not all small businesses will meet the qualifications for these visa programs, many do. Talk to your business broker about your business to see if it would work for someone looking to fulfill the requirements for an entrepreneur visa. 

 

Utilizing the E2 and EB-5 Visa programs allows business sellers to widen their potential buyer pool significantly. Immigrant entrepreneurs seeking to relocate to the United States often prefer to invest in established businesses rather than starting from scratch. By considering visa applicants as potential buyers, sellers increase their chances of finding motivated individuals willing to invest in an existing business with a proven track record.

 

Another benefit to business sellers? Immigrant entrepreneurs participating in the E2 or EB-5 Visa programs are often more decisive when it comes to making a business purchase. As these individuals have specific visa requirements to fulfill, they are more likely to expedite the buying process to meet the necessary deadlines. This increased sense of urgency can speed up the sale and ensure a smoother transition for the seller and the business – even when taking into account delays that can happen because of the necessary bureaucracy when dealing with consulates and immigration officials. 

 

Business sellers may find that immigrant entrepreneurs are also willing to offer more favorable terms during negotiations. For these individuals, securing a successful business is often tied to their immigration status, making them more willing to meet the seller’s asking price or agree to specific terms. This mutually beneficial arrangement can lead to a win-win situation for both parties involved.

 

For small business owners looking to retire or move on to other ventures, the E2 and EB-5 Visa programs offer an ideal solution to ensure the continuity of their business. By selling to an immigrant entrepreneur, sellers can preserve their business’s legacy and ensure that their hard work and dedication continue to flourish under new ownership.

 

How? Immigrant entrepreneurs bring with them a wealth of diverse perspectives, experiences, and skills. By selling their business to someone from a different cultural background, sellers open the door to fresh ideas, innovative strategies, and potentially new international markets. Embracing diversity can lead to growth opportunities and increased competitiveness for the business in the long run.

 

Business sellers stand to gain significant benefits by considering immigrant entrepreneurs as potential buyers for their small businesses. Beyond just a financial transaction, this presents an opportunity for sellers to leave a lasting impact on their business and contribute positively to the American entrepreneurial landscape. Ask your business broker if your business would qualify a visa for the global community of business buyers.  

 

Are you thinking about selling your business and haven’t thought about the immigrant entrepreneur buyer pool? Would you like to know if your business would qualify for the E2 or EB-5 Visa programs? Ask us! Leave any questions or comments and we would be happy to help.

 

 

 

Michael Monnot

941.518.7138
Mike@InfinityBusinessBrokers.com

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Michael Monnot

941.518.7138
Mike@InfinityBusinessBrokers.com

9040 Town Center Parkway
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202




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