Each new year brings the opportunity to assess goals and, for some, to reprioritize dreams that have been on the backburner. For many hardworking business owners, those goals and dreams involve selling a business. There are many reasons one might sell a business, whether to retire, to invest in other entrepreneurial pursuits, or a number of other scenarios. The start …
The Process of Selling a Business
As business brokers, one of the most common questions we receive is, “What does your selling process look like?” While there are some common elements to every business sale, at Viking, we have developed a streamlined 7-step process that helps business owners not only complete the sale of their business, but also find the right buyer and earn top dollar …
What Happens to My Employees If I Sell My Business?
One of the most common questions I hear from business owners as they consider selling their business is, “What will happen to my employees?” or “How do I take care of my staff?” Small business owners in particular have a special loyalty with their staff and management, and that weighs heavily on an owner when it’s time to sell. Here …
Complete Checklist for Selling a Business
Without proper direction, selling a business can quickly become overwhelming and chaotic. Organizing the process into concrete tasks will help keep priorities in order and ensure that important things don’t fall through the cracks. Selling a Business Checklist: #1 Gather Advisors Find the following professionals to advise and assist you in the process of selling your business. As you progress …
Seller’s Discretionary Earnings Explained
Seller’s Discretionary Earnings Definition Seller’s Discretionary Earnings (SDE) is a cash-flow-based estimate of the total financial benefit a full time owner-operator derives from the business on an annual basis. This measure helps compare the cash flows and values of businesses by “recasting” or “normalizing” their financial statements. The nature of the SDE allows prospective buyers, lenders, and investors to estimate …
3 Benefits of Proper Business Exit Planning
Proper business exit planning means much more than just an owner trying to maximize the selling price of a business. Yes, selling for top dollar can certainly be one benefit of exit planning, but when done properly, there are additional layers of benefits to be found for not only the Seller, but also for the Buyer and for the business …
4 Important Tax Issues to Consider When Selling a Business
There can be significant tax implications on selling a business. Inevitably, you will pay taxes on the income of the sale, but there are some ways to minimize your taxes on selling a business so you can keep more in your pocket. Before we launch into different tax issues to consider when selling, the first step is to get a …
What Happens to Cash When Selling a Business?
We receive many questions about various aspects of selling a business, from valuation methods to taxes on selling a business to when to tell employees you are selling. Another important consideration: “What happens to cash when selling a business?” Normally, cash is not included as an asset when selling a business. This means the business owner (Seller) keeps all cash …
10 Proactive Tips For a First-Time Business Seller
Selling a business is a complex process. There’s far more to it than most business owners realize. These ten proactive tips will help a first-time seller prepare to sell their business for the highest value. 1. Use a Professional Advisor A professional, experienced and qualified sell-side advisor will provide an accurate assessment and valuation of the business, market it effectively, …










