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Debt-service coverage ratios and why they matter to your business sale
We demystify debt-service coverage ratios so you understand how lenders think about the metric and what that means to you as a buyer.

Jun 28, 2022
Owner's Draws: What they are and how they impact the value of a business
Everything you need to know about owner's draws. What they are, how they compare to other forms of compensation, and how they impact the valuation of a business.

Jun 24, 2022
Installment Sale vs. Seller Financing In A Business Sale
Installment sale vs seller financing compared, the similarities and differences between seller financing and an installment sell, the benefits of an installment sale and seller financing to business sellers.

Jun 3, 2022
The Business Installment Sale Process: What’s In It For Business Sellers
How to sell a business through an installment sale, the pros and cons of installment payments, the tax implications of an installment sale.

May 22, 2022
Earnouts in a Business Sale
Earnouts are an option for closing a sale, ensuring future payments to the seller when a buyer may not have the full purchase amount at the time of sale.

May 16, 2022
Assumed & Excluded Liabilities in an Asset Purchase
Buying a business’s assets does not mean you become responsible for the selling companies liabilities. There are, however, important exceptions you need to know before you proceed with the transaction.

May 15, 2022
Why You Need a Business Sale Escrow When Closing Deals
What business sale escrow entails, how the escrow process works during a business sale, why you should consider escrow for your business sale, where to get business sale escrow services.

May 5, 2022
Pros and Cons of Rollover Equity in a Business Sale
Rollover equity is what business sellers will sometimes use to stay involved post-sale, requiring sellers to remain invested in the company via equity shares.

Apr 29, 2022
Considerations When Selling a Business as a Going Concern
There are specific accounting rules that govern the definition of a business as a "going concern." Understanding the implications of a business sale as a going concern can keep you and your potential buyers on the same page.

Apr 15, 2022
What a Non-Compete Covenant Means For Your Business Sale
What a non-compete covenant entails, what to expect from non-compete agreements, and the factors that business sellers should prioritize when negotiating non-compete clauses.

Apr 14, 2022
5 Types of Business Buyers Who Might Buy A Business
Who are business buyers? Understanding the different types of business buyers you might encounter as you try to sell your small business or franchise can help you find a buyer quickly for as high of a price as possible.

Apr 1, 2022
An Interview with Craig Thompson, Co-Founder of Consolidata
We sat down with Craig Thompson to discuss the importance of due diligence, quality of earnings, and forecasting for prospective owners as well as exit planners.

Mar 29, 2022
How To Value a Landscaping Business
Understand the steps you should take before you start buying or selling a landscaping business in order to maximize your valuation (as a seller) or avoid overpaying (as a buyer).

Mar 24, 2022
An Interview with TJ Brogan, Owner of Washaroo Hand Car Wash
We sat down with TJ Brogan to discuss the process of buying and running car washes in Austin, Texas. TJ shared the origin story of Washaroo, some key learnings from his first months on the job, and advice he’d give to other young entrepreneurs.

Mar 17, 2022
Using a 401(k) to Buy a Business
You can partially or wholly fund your business purchase by executing a 401k Rollover as Business Start-up (ROBS). But that’s not the only way to leverage a 401k to buy a business.

Mar 16, 2022
A Guide To Selling A Business To Your Key Employees
Learn about the different deal structures that exist before deciding on what exit strategy you'll use to sell your business to key employees.

Mar 8, 2022
Common Mistakes People Make When Selling a Business Online
Selling online can help you minimize broker fees and find the best buyer for your business. But depending on where you sell, you might be setting yourself for more work and a worse outcome.

Feb 23, 2022
Comprehensive Buying A Business Checklist: Due Diligence and More
From business selection to due diligence to negotiating, make sure you are checking all the boxes as you go on your journey of buying an existing business.

Feb 23, 2022
How To Minimize Capital Gains Tax On Your Business Sale
Tax rates on small business sales can be brutal. Consider offsetting your capital gain with reinvestment or other tax deferral strategies.

Feb 17, 2022
The 10 Steps To Buying A Business
From identifying what you want in a business to maintaining your new business, there are many steps to take in the process of buying a business. Make sure you don’t miss any important ones along the way.

Feb 3, 2022
An Interview with Chris Truglio, Co-Founder and COO at Stress-Free Auto Care
We sat down with Chris Truglio to learn more about the process of buying, owning, and operating auto repair shops. We discussed everything from how to perform effective due diligence to the intangible indicators of successful shops.

Jan 26, 2022
4 Differences Between Asset Sale vs. Stock Sale
As a seller, you should understand what is an asset sale vs. a stock sale to maximize the financial benefits for yourself in the sale.

Jan 21, 2022
How To Find a Business Broker as a Buyer
Finding a business to buy can be hard. Having the expert help of a broker can help you make the right decision if you choose the right one.

Jan 12, 2022
Seller Notes In Financing A Business For Sale
Commonly used in small business acquisitions, a seller promissory note enables the seller to provide a loan to the buyer.

Dec 27, 2021
4 Places To Find Qualified Buyers For Your Business
There are many people out there looking to buy small businesses. Read about listing websites and other strategies for finding them.

Dec 24, 2021
5 Ways to Find Businesses for Sale
Business-for-sale listing websites aren't the only place where you can find businesses for sale. Besides the slew of listing websites, you can try brokers, the owners directly, and more.

Dec 11, 2021
A Seller’s Guide to Small Business Valuation
Conducting a business valuation is a valuable exercise at any stage in the small business lifecycle. If you are thinking of selling your business, conducting a fair market valuation can help you understand what a buyer is likely willing to pay.

Dec 2, 2021
Seller Financing: Why is it required? What are the common terms?
Seller financing is almost always part of small business acquisitions. Understand why that is as well as the common terms associated with it.

Nov 22, 2021
Business Broker Fees: How Much Are They, And Who Pays?
When you want to sell or buy your business, you want the best value possible. As a seller, you want the highest selling price, and as a buyer, you look for the lowest price. Business brokers help you achieve the best value possible.

Oct 29, 2021
How To Use An SBA Loan To Buy A Business
SBA loans can help you finance acquiring an existing business or franchise if you meet the SBA requirements.

Oct 11, 2021
The Tax Consequences Of Buying A Business To Consider
When buying a business, many factors may influence your deductions and taxes owed: asset sales vs. stock sales, S Corps vs. LLC's, and more.

Oct 9, 2021
An Interview with Jake Parsley, Attorney at Parsley Law
We sat down with Jake Parsley to hear about business transactions from a legal perspective. We discussed the role of attorneys, the key legal documents owners should have, and the differences between asset sales and stock sales.

Apr 23, 2021
A Survey of Business-for-sale Sites
Starting with BizBuySell in the mid 90s, there has been an explosion of business-for-sale websites. This article surveys the options out there based on their functionality, number of listings, price and monthly traffic.

Apr 4, 2021
An Interview with Max Friar, Co-Founder of Small Business Deal Advisors
We sat down with Max Friar to hear about his journey into business brokering, how he's introduced technology into a relationships business, and what makes a business broker great.

Mar 31, 2021
Reverse due diligence
In small business acquisitions, preparation is key but often forgotten. Reverse due diligence is one of the most helpful things a business owner can do before listing her business for sale.

Mar 25, 2021
An Interview with Sal Acosta, Managing Partner of Landon and Acosta
We sat down with Sal Acosta to hear about his process for qualifying buyers and sellers, where he thinks the brokerage industry is going, and some common misconceptions about selling a small business.

Mar 22, 2021
9 Questions to Ask a Business Broker
Working with a business broker is a great option for many business owners, but not all business brokers are created equal. This post covers the key questions to ask a broker before signing an engagement agreement.

Mar 19, 2021
An Interview with Morgan Tate, Co-Founder of Paratus and Advisor at Chinook M&A
We sat down with Morgan Tate to hear about his journey into business brokering, his thoughts on seller education, and how COVID has affected the market for sellers and buyers of small businesses.

Mar 18, 2021
The Role of Community Development Financial Institutions
When looking for small business loans, owners may come across Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). These institutions are dedicated to helping increase access to financing in underserved communities.

Mar 16, 2021
The Benefits of Selling to an Employee
Among the exit options a small business owner has, selling to an employee stands out in terms of its advantages. This article dives into three key ones: price transparency, ensuring stability, and experience.

Mar 10, 2021
The Business Broker Landscape
Business brokers have formed a crucial part of the SMB ecosystem for decades. They’ve served the role of educator, negotiator, and shepherd to hundreds of thousands of business sellers and buyers.

Mar 9, 2021
Understanding Seller's Discretionary Earnings
A common metric used to value small businesses is seller’s discretionary earnings, often abbreviated as SDE. This metric is a calculation of how much cashflow a business generates.

Mar 7, 2021
Mainstay
Mainstay is Beacon's new publication. We'll be covering everything to do with main street businesses: from getting started to operating best practices to planning for exits.

Mar 7, 2021