Sell-side representation
Sell my business — confidentially, and for what it's actually worth
Most owners only sell once. The difference between a good outcome and a painful one is preparation, a defensible number and a buyer who can actually close. That is the entire job.
Start with the number, not the listing
Before anything is marketed, we recast your last three years into seller's discretionary earnings — adding back owner compensation, personal expenses, one-time costs and non-cash items — then price against real comparable sales in your industry and county.
You get a written range with the assumptions behind it. If the number is lower than you need, we tell you that early and show you which levers move it: margin, customer concentration, recurring revenue, owner dependence, clean books.
The full process, step by step
- Opinion of value. Financial recast, comparable analysis and a written range you can plan around.
- Preparation. Clean up books, document processes, address customer concentration, review lease and licences, reduce owner dependence.
- Confidential package. Blind profile, financial summary, growth story and a buyer FAQ that answers objections before they become discounts.
- Marketing. National buyer platforms, our own buyer database, strategic acquirers and search funds — all under NDA.
- Buyer qualification. Proof of funds, lender pre-qualification and a real conversation about operating experience before documents move.
- Offers and negotiation. Price, structure, allocation, seller note, working capital, training period and non-compete — negotiated as a package, not line by line.
- Diligence and closing. We manage the lender, escrow, landlord consent, attorney reviews and the closing checklist so the deal keeps moving.
What raises your price the most
- Three years of clean, consistent financials
- Recurring or contracted revenue
- Low customer concentration
- A team that runs the day without you
- Documented systems and pricing
- Transferable licences and an assignable lease
- Trailing twelve months trending up
- Equipment in genuinely good condition
Confidentiality is the default, not an add-on
Your business is marketed without its name. Buyers sign an NDA and clear a financial screen before receiving anything identifying. Site visits happen after hours or off-site. Employees are told when you decide to tell them — usually at closing, with a plan we build with you and the buyer.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does it take to sell a business?
- Most owner-operated businesses in our market take four to nine months from listing to closing. Preparation adds time up front but usually shortens diligence and protects the price.
- What does a business broker charge?
- Sell-side representation is a success fee paid at closing, calculated as a percentage of the transaction value. There is no fee for the initial valuation conversation, and we put the exact fee in writing before you sign anything.
- Will my employees, customers or competitors find out?
- Not from us. Your business is marketed as a blind profile with no name, no address and no identifying photos. Buyers sign a non-disclosure agreement and are screened for funds before they see anything specific.
- What documents do I need to get started?
- Three years of tax returns, year-to-date profit and loss, a balance sheet, an equipment list, your lease and a summary of any recurring contracts. If some of that is missing, we start with what you have.
- Do I have to stay after the sale?
- Usually for a short transition — commonly two to eight weeks of training, sometimes longer if the buyer is financing through SBA and the lender wants continuity. Extended consulting is negotiable and paid.