MAXIMIZE YOUR POTENTIAL

Selling your business is likely to be the most important financial transaction you will ever make. Since the process of selling a business can often be complex and even confusing to business owners, it is important to align yourself with an experienced business broker who will navigate you through this process.

Our chief mission is to sell your business while keeping a razor-sharp focus on helping you to achieve your goals and objectives.

As you begin the process of selling your business, your first step should be to select the right broker. When working with Bottom Line Management, you can expect:

Confidentiality. Unlike a real estate sale, you don’t want to stick a “For Sale” sign in front of your business. We will explore all possible marketing channels and methods, even sound out competitors, while maintaining complete confidentiality.
Pricing Expertise. Pricing a business can be tricky. If it’s too high, it won’t sell; if it’s too low, you’re leaving money on the table. We help you establish optimum pricing so your business will sell as quickly as possible while netting you the maximum amount.
Protection. “Tire Kickers” can waste your time, and selling to an unqualified buyer can create a nightmare after the sale. We screen every potential buyer to save you time and protect your confidentiality.
Focus. In one way, selling a business is like selling a house; you want to show it at its best. When your business is actually on the market, every month should be a banner month. We will let you concentrate on what you do best – running your business.
Comprehensive Marketing. We develop a broad marketing strategy, which may include media advertising, multiple listing services, and targeted mailings, as well as our internal database of buyers who have indicated an interest in certain types of businesses. In this process, we will always maintain complete confidentiality.
Value. Because BLM’s principals have extensive experience in small business management consulting, we frequently find innovative ways to increase the value of a business prior to the sale.
Negotiating Skills. Our President, Loren Marc Schmerler, spent years conducting seminars on negotiating skills. We will help you handle offers, counter-offers, and any unexpected concerns that come up as closing approaches.

EXIT STRATEGY PLANNING

Whether you’re starting a business, growing a business or working to move away from one, planning an exit strategy is an essential element to your business model.

Consider the following ways that you could exit your business:

Sell Your Business

This is a business owner’s most common exit strategy. It is a transaction conducted between two private parties in which the seller of the company receives cash in exchange for the company. Valuation is a large part of determining the business’ worth. The professionals at BLM can work with several valuation methods to determine the fair market value of your business. Learn about our business valuation services >>

Merge Your Business

In this process, two companies will combine to form a larger company. The company shareholders receive stock in the company that has greater worth, and typically no cash is received at the time of the merger.

Public Offering

Your company can be sold on the stock market in a public offering or IPO. This is perhaps the most extensive and expensive exit strategy, however it can offer a large payout as well.

Buyout

In this exit scenario, a team or individual will take over your business on the basis of buying out your existing ownership. A buyout deal is structured over time and is generally tied to performance of the business at the time of the buyout and after you exit the business.

Liquidation

This strategy will usually net the smallest amount of money for you but can be a viable option if you are debt free. You can exit your business by selling the assets that you have to people who are willing to pay a fair market value for them.

Start planning now for the business exit strategy that is right for you. Need help with your strategy? Contact the experts at BLM to assist you with putting a plan in motion.

THE SELLING PROCESS

BLM’s experienced team works to make the sale of your business a smooth and successful one. We will guide you through our proven process every step of the way to ensure your satisfaction. Consider these key factors before putting your business on the market.

Rollover the chart below to learn more about the selling process

Business Valuation, or determining the worth of your business, is an important first step to selling it. There are many methods used to determine value. Whichever method you use, you want to be sure that you are not leaving any money on the closing table that could be in your pocket. BLM will work with you through the valuation process step-by-step to help you arrive at a selling price that is viable from both sides of the transaction. Learn more about our valuation services >>

Before going on the market, the mechanics of your business should be solid inside and out. Take some time to make your visible environment appealing and inviting while you also work to strengthen the “invisible” structure of your operations – from bookkeeping and accounting to processes and personnel. Review the Seller's Checklist >>

Marketing your business effectively to reach a wide pool of prospects is key. Engaging an experienced business broker such as BLM will help you reach more qualified buyers - faster - and help you to focus on continuing to run a successful business.

Define the deal that best suits your needs. As you work through the terms of the sale with your business broker, consider whether you'll sell the entire business entity or simply its assets, and how you will be compensated (i.e., an all-cash payment, a down payment plus installments, etc.).

Put the deal in writing. Your sales agreement will list the assets the buyer is purchasing, include any contracts the buyer is assuming, and include provisions to ensure you'll get paid in full. We recommend that you review a draft of the sales agreement with a business lawyer.

At closing, you will officially transfer the business to the buyer. Be sure to prepare a list of the items that the buyer will need such as training documentation, office keys, alarm codes, etc.