Profitable and successful, environmentally-friendly, service-oriented franchise catering to both businesses and individuals in North Atlanta generates a consistent revenue stream.

Business Overview

Xxxxxx Company is a profitable and successful, environmentally-friendly, service-oriented franchise catering to both businesses and individuals in North Atlanta. xxxxxx Company is in business to provide both New and Remanufactured products to its clientele. We offer the highest quality remanufactured products on the market at a savings of 30% or more off of what customers would pay for new products at the local superstore. 

These products are consumables used in virtually every household and business in America. If a person breathes, then it s likely they use these products! Therefore there is a consistent revenue stream from customers returning to the store again and again! This store has a great track record for customer service and maintaining a happy customer base ensuring a high rate of repeat business. The brick and mortar store is nicely appointed with current franchise graphics and well maintained. It is located in a highly trafficked intersection in North Atlanta with great visibility and ingress and egress.

In addition to walk-in individual customers purchasing their products for home use, xxxxxx Company has over 500 local businesses that use their products on a repeat basis. The company caters to small and mid-sized businesses providing free delivery within 24 hours of orders being placed and also offers businesses the ability to place orders online, over the phone, or via email. 

This business is staffed with an Owner/Manager, an Owner/Sales Person, 2 full time service technicians and 1 part time customer service person. Both technicians have outstanding customer service skills. All the current staff have been with the business for a year and a half or more and have great expertise and synergies working together. The business hours are Monday thru Friday 9-6:00pm and 10-3:00 on Saturday. The owner has developed an extensive email database for both their business clients and walk-in clients and communicates monthly with them.

Business Details

• Facilities: 1,200 sq. ft.New lease 8//1/11 – 7/31/13. Base rent $1,700/mo..CAM $500/mo.
• Competition: There are other businesses that compete in this space, but none provide the same level of service.. Very high repeat business and customer referrals. 1,000+ active customers. Largest customer is less than 3% of sales.
• Growth/Expansion: More canvassing for business customers can greatly
• Financing: SBA approved loan for $360,000; buyer puts down $90k and project cost of $450k.
• Support/Training: Seller will assist buyer for 4 weeks.
• Reason Selling: Relocation and other busines interests.

Financial Details

• Asking Price: $400,000
• Gross Income: $525,270
• Cash Flow: $138,014
• EBITDA: N/A
• FF&E: $40,000.00 *
• Inventory: $17,000.00 *
• Real Estate: N/A
• Year Established: 2006
• Employees: 2ft/ 1pt
• Business Types: Computer & Software Services, Other Business Services 

Contact Information

Contact: Loren Marc Schmerler
Phone: 404-550-1417
Email: LMS@BOTLINE.COM

Loren Marc Schmerler, CPC, APC, President and Founder of Atlanta based Bottom Line Management, Inc. recently shared how to apply and obtain a SBA loan for those interested in buying a business during "What You Need to Know When You Are Ready to Sell or Buy a Business or Franchise"  free monthly seminar hosted by The Edge Connection, community partner with Coles College of Business, Kennesaw State University.

Once you have found the business of your dreams, you need to figure out a way to purchase it. One way is if you have the proverbial “rich Uncle” who can write a check for the entire purchase amount. The probability of this happening is less than 1%. Or you can go to your parents, siblings or other relatives. The probability of this happening is less than 5%. Perhaps your friendly banker will make you a conventional loan. The probability of this happening is less than 10%.

How then do you improve your chances of getting the money you will need to buy the business in question? Well, if you are like most first time buyers, you will need a SBA loan to buy the business. And if this is your first time down the SBA path, the process is somewhat overwhelming and time consuming. Also, you need to understand that the SBA does not make loans. They insure loans. The SBA Preferred Lender makes the actual loan.

1. Step one is to obtain the 2 most recent tax returns for the business. So if we are in August of 2011, you will need to obtain the 2010 and 2009 tax returns for the business. The SBA Preferred Lender will apply a formula to a calculated figure called Owner’s Discretionary Cash Flow also known as Seller’s Discretionary Earnings. This figure starts with Net Taxable Income from the Tax Return or Net Income (or loss) from the Income Statement and then certain line items are “added back.” The items that are added back include owner’s compensation and perks, depreciation and amortization because they are non-cash items, one-time non-recurring items, interest because it is different for each owner, etc.
2. When the preceding number is determined, the SBA Preferred Lender will apply a formula where they take the anticipated debt service (principal plus interest) and multiple it by 120 percent. They want to make sure that the business can pay back the loan without going into default. They are less concerned with the borrower’s credit score than they are concerned with the company’s ability to pay its bills.
3. Once the SBA preferred lender knows that the business can pay back the loan, they then start making you jump through additional hoops. You will need to complete a very long application that can run 30 pages in length. You will need to draw up a business plan that includes assumptions and strategies.
4. The SBA preferred lender will require that a 3rd party business valuation is performed. They will also require that you obtain term life insurance for the term of the loan. Most SBA loans for businesses sold without real estate have 10 year maturities. If real estate is included, the term can be more than 20 years or less than 20 years.
5. The loan process can take from 4 to 6 weeks if everything goes smoothly. If complications arise, it can take longer.

The preceding steps constitute a crash course in applying for and obtaining a SBA loan.

To learn more about applying and obtaining a SBA loan or how to buy or sell a business register for Bottom Line Management, Inc.'s free seminar "What You Need to Know When You Are Ready to Sell or Buy a Business or Franchise" >>

Loren Marc Schmerler, CPC, APC is President and Founder of Atlanta based Bottom Line Management, Inc. He has been a business broker since 1986 and a business consultant since 1970. His accomplishments include being the original and only Business Advice Columnist for Wal-Mart’s Sam’s Club.

62 Reasons
Why Sellers of Small & Midsize Businesses Hire Business Transfer Intermediaries
© 2011 Ted J. Leverette (“Partner” On-Call Network LLC) 

This poll was commissioned by the Authorized Business Buyer Advocates ® who are licensed by “Partner” On-Call Network ®.

Poll:  "Why do sellers hire business brokers instead of trying to sell by-owner?"

62 reasons are why sellers of small and midsize businesses hire business transfer intermediaries (i.e., business brokers and advisors who specialize in dealmaking on behalf of sellers), according to our poll, conducted in the USA and Canada (plus a few contributors from around the world).

To view all 62 Reasons Why Business Sellers Hire Brokers click here to view PDF. 

The top reasons are these:

• Brokers know how to sell businesses; most sellers don’t
• Seller doesn’t want to be distracted from running business
• Confidentiality preservation and knowledge of what/when to show buyers
• Access broker’s database of potential buyers and investors
• Maximize price buyers will pay for the business
• Owner does not know how to find buyers
• Prepare owner to sell and prepare business for sale
• Broker understands and can depersonalize negotiations
• Explain and handhold seller throughout selling process
• Owner afraid of trying to sell by-owner 

TIP

Business transfer intermediaries of all types function as go-betweens; they can filter communications so all parties to the pending transaction can focus on the most salient points and realistically negotiate differences of opinion. It is normal for conflicts to arise between sellers and buyers (and their advisors). Sometimes it pertains to personalities; and maybe differing goals or misunderstandings about facts. The best business transfer intermediaries can help people understand the facts and find win-win compromises instead of becoming unnecessarily defensive.

Bottom Line Management, Inc. has teamed up with the Edge Connection, a nationally recognized leader in microenterprise and small business development, to provide seminar training on buying and selling a business entitled, "What You Need to Know When You Are Ready to Sell or Buy a Business or Franchise" that offers specifics on how to successfully prepare yourself and pitfalls to avoid.

The Edge Connection offers an award-winning, nationally recognized, multi-faceted program that delivers best-practices business training, financial literacy, entrepreneurially focused technology training, and essential support services to aid micro and small business owners to launch, sustain, or grow a business. 

It was developed through community collaboration and remains a campus and community partner with Coles College of Business, Kennesaw State University.

Bottom Line Management, Inc. looks forward to partnering with the Edge Connection program to create growing entrepreneurial businesses and positively impact the community. "My passion for helping business owners understand and maximize their bottom line was the motivation for starting a free seminar. I want to share my successful experiences to help others navigate through the details of preparing, listing and selling." – Loren Marc Schmerler, CPC, APC, President

Buying or selling a business can be a complicated and daunting endeavor. Bottom Line Management, Inc.'s President, Loren Marc Schmerler, CPC, APC will unravel the mystery of the process and answer all your questions such as:

• How do I get started? – How long should the process take?
• What role does financing play in the process?
• What do I need to know about buying a franchise, license, distributorship or business opportunity?
• How can a business intermediary help you buy or sell a business or franchise?

And much more! If you have ever thought about buying or selling a business this free seminar is a MUST!

Seminar Dates:
The seminars will be offered monthly on the second Wednesday of each month from 1pm – 4pm at Kennesaw State University Center 3333 Busbee Drive, Room 464, Kennesaw, GA 30144. The first seminar is scheduled for July 13, 2011 from 1pm-4pm.

For more details contact Bottom Line Management, Inc. email: info@botline.com or call: (770) 977-7334.

About The Edge Connection
The Edge Connection is a fully independent, non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization. It is housed on the campus of Kennesaw State University's Coles College of Business and enjoys many benefits from its KSU partnership, including in-kind support and teaching assistance. In the fall of 2004, The Edge Connection became an SBA Women's Business Center that targets low-to moderate-income women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities.

The Edge Connection received the U.S. Models of Excellence, Visions 2000 award from the U.S. Small Business Administration, the "Simply the Best" award from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Federal Home Loan Bank Community Partnership Excellence Award. The Edge Connection is a founding member of the Georgia Micro Enterprise Network and is a member of the national microenterprise trade association, the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO).

Contact:

For details or to sign up contact: Edge Connection at 770-499-3228 or email lsperry1@kennesaw.edu Leslie Sperry, Program Manager. Visit www.theedgeconnection.com

This Seminar is for:

• Individuals who are interested in either buying or selling a business.
• CPA/accountants interested in providing information to clients interested in buying or selling a business.
• Attorneys interested in providing information to clients interested in buying or selling a business.
• Business Professionals.

Visit: www.botline.com/free-seminars for seminar details.

Home based business in Coastal Georgia – work 6 months and get paid for 12 months.

This well respected annual publication with decades of profitability and a loyal customer base in Coastal Georgia allows you to work only part of the year to earn a full year's pay. You work your own hours and customers routinely contact you to renew their ads. Many improvements have been well-received by the business customers with future improvements planned.

There are many print and recorded testimonials by prominent business owners.

Financial Information

• Asking: $225,000
• Gross: $128,923
• Cash Flow: $71,318
• Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment: $5,000
• Inventory: $1,000 (included in price)
• Financing: $150,000 down with $75,000 @ 6% over 36 months
• Seller financing is available

General Information

• Facilities (Home Based): The business is home based and can be run by anyone who lives in the surrounding area. ***Included: phone number; website; all CDs to beginning of time; all phone books; all working files; all software; Adobe Indesign Creative Suite included
• Competition: 1,000 brochures are distributed to new places in the surrounding area. The business is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and another group.The company buys a monthly list of everyone who has bought a new business license and distributes a directory to each new business owner
• Growth and Expansion: Hire more commission salespersons to market to outreaching areas.
• Support/Training: The current owner will introduce the new owner as the co-publisher during the first month and be available by phone assistance for 6 months afterwards
• Reason Selling: Owners retiring
• Employees: 1PT + 2 owners

Contact Information
Contact: Loren Marc Schmerler
Phone: 404-550-1417
Email: LMS@BOTLINE.COM

Author: Loren Marc Schmerler, CPC, APC, PresidentBottom Line Management, Inc.
Featured by INC. Magazine

Business Intermediaries Facilitate Business Sales

What Is a Business Broker? What is a business? If you're the owner of a privately held company, it's your livelihood, your brainchild, and your identity. If you're the purchaser, it's buying a job after downsizing, taking a leap of faith that you can be an entrepreneur. For employees, it's a wish for steady income in an uncomplicated market.

When is the best time to sell a business? It's when the business is doing well and you don't have to sell. Unfortunately many owners don't follow that pattern. 

Where does the business broker or intermediary fit into this picture? A business broker is a trained specialist in the field of business transfers, just as an attorney is trained in law and a CPA in accounting and taxes. These are issues that are far more complicated than a real estate transaction.

Owners, who would never think about writing their own contracts or doing their own taxes, often feel that if they have run and grown a successful business, they should be able to handle its sale.

What should buyer and seller expect from an intermediary beyond their introduction? Besides the time consumed in qualifying buyers, there are issues that are obviously emotionally and financially involved.

And an intermediary's experience and knowledge of the whole story of your company – finances, competition, your market – gives him (or her) objectivity to effectively offer your business for sale and know whether a deal will or will not work.

How do you know if your business is fairly priced? The broker may suggest an “Opinion of Value” to determine the fair market value of your business within a specified pricing range. This is the best way to sell the business quickly.

Confidentiality is of course paramount. What about employees? Should they be told? Will key employees stay and if not, how will that affect the sale? Special packages may have to be negotiated for them as part of the offer.

Owner financing always speeds the process. Determine ahead of time reasonable payments the cash flow of the business can support and still leave enough for the buyer to have a return on his investment to live on. You can often get your asking price if the terms are attractive enough.

Give yourself adequate time to plan your sale. Smaller businesses should expect to be on the market a minimum of seven to nine months; middle market ones at least a year or longer. As with most things in life, it's the attention to preparation that leads to the best results. A professional intermediary can help make the difference.

Let us show you what we can do for your bottom line. We are open for business 24/7/365.
Bottom Line Management, Inc.
info@botline.com
(770) 977-7334

This restaurant has been able to gross between $17,000 and $21,000 a month!

Looking to get into the restaurant business? Buy this turn-key fully equipped pizza/pasta restaurant. This restaurant has been able to gross between $17,000 and $21,000 a month. 

Why buy a pizza business? The pizza business is a well-established kind of restaurant and buying an existing pizza restaurant could help you avoid the challenges of starting one from scratch.

The menu features New York Style pizza and includes calzones, spaghetti, lasagna, cheese steaks, parmigiana sandwiches, pizza by the slice, whole pizzas, wings, salads, fries, onion rings, chips, tenders, cheese cake, cookies, draft beer, imported beer, domestic beer, sodas and ice tea.

Financial Information

• Asking: $105,000
• Gross: $240,000
• Cash Flow: $60,000
• Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment: $30,000
• Inventory: $5,000 (included in price)

General Information

• Facilities: 1,500 sq. ft.; $2,600/mo. includes CAM.Lease started 11/1/10 and is 5 years with 5 year option. 3% annual escalation.
• Competition: This business has a very loyal following.
• Growth and Expansion: There can be cross-selling and cross-promotion within the shopping center.
• Support/Training: Owner will assist new owner for up to 2 weeks.
• Reason Selling: Wants to spend more time with family.
• Year Established: 1997
• Employees: 3 ft & 1pt

Contact Information

• Contact: Loren Marc Schmerler
  

• Phone: 404-550-1417

• Email: LMS@BOTLINE.COM

2011 is a great time to buy or sell an existing business. Read why 2011 is a good time to become your own boss or sell your business to move onto a new project.

Reasons to Buy a Business

1. Many baby boomers are reaching the retirement age of late fifties or early sixties. From my experience, the most common age when business owners call me is 62. They are tired of working 40+ years since high school, the last 15 to 20 years as owners of their own businesses. The available supply of good and well established businesses has never been greater.

2. When you find a business you want to buy, the owner will be more receptive to both traditional and creative financing. Traditional financing would be where an owner holds a note for part of the purchase price. Interest rates are roughly 6% for owner notes at the current time. Creative financing would be assumption of liabilities or earn outs. Earn outs are based on a percentage of sales above certain thresholds.

3. SBA preferred lenders are more willing to make loans due to relaxed federal guidelines and the elimination of certain costs and fees. While you will not be able to obtain an 80% loan like the good old days, you should be able to easily obtain a 65% loan with you making a 25% down payment and the owner holding a 10% note.

4. Vendors are highly motivated to make sales. Their businesses have suffered financially during the last 2 years. As a result, you should be able to purchase inventory, supplies and other materials at substantial cost savings.

5. Due to the millions of unemployed workers, the labor pool is loaded with qualified and motivated prospective employees. Additionally, existing employees at the company you purchase will be highly motivated to stay with the company, since finding another job will be quite difficult.

6. You are now able to use 401k funds, IRA funds, Sep-Ira funds, etc. to purchase a business. There are many tax advantages to doing so, and you can control how much you may yourself for salary and how much you keep within the C Corporation tax free.

Reasons to Sell a Business

7. With millions of unemployed workers living off of their savings and retirement plans, there is a high demand for good businesses. And due to the unprecedented demand, multiples of Owner’s Discretionary Cash Flow are exceeding 3 where in the past the multiples ranged between 2 and 3. Thus there will never be a better time to put your business up for sale.

8. Since unemployed people have had their 401k plans and savings devastated, and they are tired of only earning .25%, they need an alternative plan. The tax code allows them to purchase a business using retirement funds and creating a C Corporation. Once the Corporation is created, all profits can grow tax free, and the new owners are not obligated to disburse profits, dividends or salaries.

9. If you are in your late 50’s or early 60’s, there is no way to know what the future may hold. Regardless of your current health, it can change unexpectedly. Or you may have issues with aging parents. By selling now, you can remove some of the uncertainty.

10. If you are willing to provide owner financing for some or all of the purchase price, you can earn interest in the range of 6% which is more than 20 times what a bank will pay you.

11. SBA financing is loosening up which will allow more prospective buyers to have an opportunity to buy your business.

12. There comes a time when quality of life becomes more important than money. Only you can decide if obtaining freedom trumps obtaining money and to what extent.

13. There are investment vehicles that will allow you to defer most or all of the seller’s proceeds. Thus there will be little or no tax liability due in the year of sale. You can work with a financial professional to set up a residual income stream that will meet your needs and spread the capital gain over many years.

If you are unsure of what type of business opportunity to purchase or looking to sell your business but are unfamiliar with what steps to take, Bottom Line Management, Inc. provides a FREE Consultation with no obligation.

Bottom Line Management will work with you to determine how your strengths and interests will align successfully with businesses that are available in the marketplace and explain the entire selling process. Call (770) 977-7334 or click here to contact Bottom Line Management, Inc. to schedule a FREE business broker consultation.

Author’s note. After helping sellers and buyers for more than 20 years, I have found that honesty, integrity, full disclosure, patience and a willingness to consider various alternatives makes the probability of success for all parties very high.

Bottom Line Management, Inc., leaders in business sales, acquisition, valuation and management services for over 25 years in over 200 industries have always exceeded the expectations of the hundreds of clients they have served. They are now pleased to announce their expansion into Website Brokerage Services.

Bottom Line Management, Inc. recognizes the fast growing industry of selling and buying online businesses can be very lucrative and rewarding. The expansion is designed to help clients achieve their goals in the online business industry.

Bottom Line Management, Inc.’s proven buying and selling process provides each client with the tools to make the sale of their website or purchase of an online business a smooth and successful one.

Bottom Line Management, Inc. assists clients interested in buying an online business navigate through the numerous and varied website businesses available in the marketplace to successfully find the right business.

In the selling process, Bottom Line Management, Inc. negotiates the best deal possible for clients and specializes in valuating businesses. Due to extensive experience in small business management consulting, Bottom Line Management, Inc. frequently finds innovative ways to increase the value of a business prior to the sale.

Bottom Line Management, Inc. was founded in 1986 by Loren Marc Schmerler, a Certified Professional Consultant and an Accredited Professional Consultant. Schmerler is thrilled to provide website brokerage services to clients states, “Bottom Line Management, Inc. has sold every home-based online business we have listed and we are proud to have helped dozens of buyers become successful entrepreneurs.”

Bottom Line Management, Inc. offers a free website business broker consultation either in person or on the phone to help clients get started on the right path in the buying and selling process.

Click here for more information about Bottom Line Management, Inc.’s website brokerage services.

About Bottom Line Management, Inc.

Bottom Line Management, Inc. is a business brokerage firm with more than 25 years experience selling businesses in over 200 industries serving clients nationwide and internationally. Bottom Line Management, Inc. was founded by Loren Marc Schmerler, a Certified Professional Consultant and Accredited Professional Consultant with a passion for helping business owners understand and maximize their bottom line.

Bottom Line Management’s federally registered slogan, “Your Bottom Line Is Our Foremost Concern”, reinforces its constant desire to put the client’s best interests ahead of its own. The firm has saved its clients millions of dollars by showing them how to “work smarter” and use their resources more effectively and efficiently to maximize the value of their businesses when they are ready to implement their exit strategy.

Bottom Line Management, Inc. is a member of the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) and the Georgia Association of Business Brokers (GABB.) Loren Marc Schmerler is also a Business Brokerage Press Industry Expert.

Contact:

Loren Marc Schmerler CPC, APC, President
Bottom Line Management, Inc.
2985 Gordy Parkway, Suite 424
Marietta, GA 30066
770-977-7334 office
lms@botline.com

# # #

Article from the International Business Broker Association Inc.

The typical business owner will only sell a business once. Understanding the complex process involved will help produce the best results. But don’t fall prey to the myths that can derail or seriously affect a potential sale.

Myth #1 – I Can Sell It Myself

Many owners believe they’re qualified to sell their business without professional assistance. Many owners are entrepreneurs and the key salesperson for the company. But selling a business is not like selling a product or service.

If you’re looking to sell on your own, confidentiality is lost. If word of a potential sale gets out, there are definite risks of losing clients, employees and favorable credit terms.

Do you really have the time to run your business and compile marketing materials, advertise, screen buyers, give tours and facilitate due diligence

When you’re looking to sell you want to put even greater emphasis on running your business, boosting your sales and not taking on new challenges.

Myth #2 – I’ll Sell When I’m Ready

Certainly, an owner wants to be sure he or she is mentally and emotionally prepared to sell. But personal readiness is just one factor. Economic factors can have a significant impact on the sale of a business.

Sale prices can be affected by industry consolidation, interest rates, unemployment and many other economic measures. Talk with a professional and aim to sell when your personal goals and market conditions align.

Myth #3 – I Know What it is Worth

Some owners will base the company value on what they need for retirement. Others will tell you they want $100,000/year for “sweat equity.” Still others utilize industry multiples.

A third party valuation is a good idea for anyone seriously considering the sale of their business. An outside valuation will include a thorough analysis of the business and the market it operates in. This will provide a solid understanding of the company’s growth potential, not some vague industry average.

Myth #4 – It’s Like Selling a House

Preparing to sell your house may take a few weeks, then you want to get the word out to everyone that the house is on the market. Once you get a satisfactory offer, you sign on the dotted line, turn over the keys and move on.

Selling a company is much more complex. A successful business sale usually requires a great deal of pre-planning, at least a year and maybe as long as three years to drive sales, develop key staff, document the operations and control expenses.

The average house will sell in less than four months, while the average business sale is nine months to a year.

Even after the business is sold, the seller can be expected to put in at least a few months, and possibly years of transition time, helping to make the new owner a success.

Sound sale strategies will bring you the optimum price the market will bear. Go to market with realistic expectations by getting a professional valuation and using a professional business broker or intermediary.