Do You Have a Viable Strategy for the Business Sale Process?

You’re looking to sell your business, but are you on the path for achieving the best economic outcome?

There’s a fatal flaw in the business sale process that can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars or more. Many business owners believe the first step in selling their business is to partner with a business broker. But the broker is focused on selling in order to get paid. Our focus is to maximize your economic outcome and solidify your financial future.

By asking the tough questions up front, we are able to understand your objectives and build a realistic picture of the potential sale. There’s more to your business than its numerical value. Together, we’ll assess risk exposures, tax implications, and the full scope of options – so you can make educated decisions for achieving your goals.

Working to optimize the value and terms of the sale includes:

  • Business Assessment
  • Preparation of Marketing Materials
  • Marketing & Buyer Solicitation
  • Buyer Qualification
  • Responses to Buyer Inquiries
  • Management Conference Calls
  • Letters of Intent – Formalizing the Business Terms
  • Due Diligence & Invasive Disclosures
  • Post Due Diligence Negotiations
  • Preparation of Purchase Agreements – Asset or Stock
  • Preparation of Schedules & Other Transaction Documents
  • Fulfillment of Buyer and Seller Pre-Closing Obligations
  • Closing – Document Execution & Proceeds Transfer
  • Post Closing Adjustments

Let’s start your business sale process by discussing the alternative to traditional brokerage.

THE AAKEN ALTERNATIVE TO BUSINESS BROKERAGE

"SELLING A BUSINESS IS TELLING A STORY THAT IS
SUBSTANTIATED BY THE FACTS"

I coined this phrase a few years ago and it exemplifies one of the primary differentiators between my work and the work of most "business brokers." Private Equity Groups repeatedly complain that advisors fail to satisfactorily prepare their clients for the business sale process. Unsubstantiated assertions and misrepresentations commonly result in "busted" deals.

Knowing what you want as the business owner and whether there is a "viable strategy" for accomplishing that outcome is where we begin our process. It is not uncommon for us to advise an owner against a sale process when success is improbable. We give you an objective perspective and let you decide what is in your best economic interest.

It is not sufficient to know the historical financial performance of the company … how much money does the business make? It is more important to understand the operational dynamics of the underlying business … why does the business make money and why will it continue to make money in the future?

VALIDATION OF DATA:

Weaving together the fact-based story of the business with supporting financial and operational performance data and then defending the story throughout the process is the key to a truly successful transaction. Thoughtfully considering how everything about the business is connected and what the buyer will value most is a dynamic exercise – a strategy game with infinite possible outcomes.

LET’S HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS