My Biz Broker, LLC
My Biz Broker, LLC
"In business to help you buy or sell"
My Biz Broker, LLC, is a nationwide business brokerage firm that was formed in 2010 by John E. Bunn. John brings a rich background in business sales and marketing. He has been a Business Broker since 2001. Although we have sold virtually every type of business, we specialize in Gas Stations, Convenience Stores, Liquor Stores, Autobody Shops and Motels in Washington, DC, Baltimore and the Mid-Atlantic Region.
Background
Background
As a highly skilled negotiator, John knows what it takes to close a deal and has the ability to work around even the most challenging obstacles that arise in any transaction. John has established a reputation for persistence, innovation, and utilizing sophisticated business techniques. He is experienced working with the most discriminating investor to the novice, first-time buyer.
Whether working with clients on the sale of their company or with clients looking to find a suitable business, John offers truly unique expertise invaluable to Sellers and Buyers alike.
Our Services
Our Services
Skills
Skills
Mergers & Acquisitions
Negotiation
Sales & Marketing
Due Diligence
Contract Preparation
Business Valuation
How Proper Exit Planning Benefits TheBuyer And Seller
Exit planning from a seller's perspective makes perfect sense. But my big question for John was if we consider it from a buyer's perspective, is exit planning like putting lipstick on a pig, or are there underlying long-term value drivers that are being impacted?
Many acquisitions entrepreneurs view exit planning as the former, not the latter. They see it as the seller doing all they can to increase the value of the business in order to sell it for more.
But as the two of us agreed, the latter is actually true. Exit planning, when done properly, helps the buyer and the seller in different ways. Let’s look at a couple of examples.
How to Exit Planning Benefits the Buyer
For the buyer, exit planning makes the business more transferable. When a buyer is evaluating a potential business acquisition, transferability is one of the top factors to consider.
Once the current business owner leaves, are they taking a lot of specialized knowledge with them that the buyer will need to grow the business? The answer needs to be no. The buyer must be able to walk into that business as an entrepreneur and work on the business, not in it. If they have to be the artisan (baking the pies from Michael Gerber’s The E-Myth, for example) in order for the business to succeed, they need to reconsider buying that business.
In addition, buyers need to make sure that any extensive customer relationships the current owner has can be transferred to them if they buy the business. If those relationships end when the seller walks out the door, the buyer will be working at a disadvantage from day one.
Both aspects of transferability point to a business where the owner is not the hub of the wheel. Good exit planning begins the process of making sure that’s not the case. Secondly, it focuses on employing the best possible management team. By building standard operating procedures around a team of people, the value becomes diversified among the different employees. When that value is spread out across the company, it mitigates some of the risks for a buyer.
Exit Planning Gives Sellers A Blueprint
So, how does proper exit planning benefit the seller? The primary benefit is that it helps the seller calculate how much money they need to exit. If they’re living on a certain amount per year, for instance, the current owner will need to sell for a sum of money they can live on for the rest of their life without having to decrease their cost of living. Once the seller knows that number, they can gear their exit planning toward getting the value of the business to that point.
With a number in mind and a plan in place, the seller then becomes goal-oriented. They’re not going to pull the plug on a deal because they’re committed to hitting that goal. They’re going to engineer transferability and diversify their talent pool to make the business more attractive.
Proper Exit Planning Is Good for Both Parties
Exit planning is not about squeezing every drop of value from the business or taking all the growth opportunity off the table. That’s the “end gaming” approach to exit planning that makes potential buyers leery of acquiring businesses. When done correctly, exit planning gives the seller clarity, lowers the risk for the buyer and leaves the door open for future growth.
How Proper Exit Planning Benefits TheBuyer And Seller
Exit planning from a seller's perspective makes perfect sense. But my big question for John was if we consider it from a buyer's perspective, is exit planning like putting lipstick on a pig, or are there underlying long-term value drivers that are being impacted?
Many acquisitions entrepreneurs view exit planning as the former, not the latter. They see it as the seller doing all they can to increase the value of the business in order to sell it for more.
But as the two of us agreed, the latter is actually true. Exit planning, when done properly, helps the buyer and the seller in different ways. Let’s look at a couple of examples.
How to Exit Planning Benefits the Buyer
For the buyer, exit planning makes the business more transferable. When a buyer is evaluating a potential business acquisition, transferability is one of the top factors to consider.
Once the current business owner leaves, are they taking a lot of specialized knowledge with them that the buyer will need to grow the business? The answer needs to be no. The buyer must be able to walk into that business as an entrepreneur and work on the business, not in it. If they have to be the artisan (baking the pies from Michael Gerber’s The E-Myth, for example) in order for the business to succeed, they need to reconsider buying that business.
In addition, buyers need to make sure that any extensive customer relationships the current owner has can be transferred to them if they buy the business. If those relationships end when the seller walks out the door, the buyer will be working at a disadvantage from day one.
Both aspects of transferability point to a business where the owner is not the hub of the wheel. Good exit planning begins the process of making sure that’s not the case. Secondly, it focuses on employing the best possible management team. By building standard operating procedures around a team of people, the value becomes diversified among the different employees. When that value is spread out across the company, it mitigates some of the risks for a buyer.
Exit Planning Gives Sellers A Blueprint
So, how does proper exit planning benefit the seller? The primary benefit is that it helps the seller calculate how much money they need to exit. If they’re living on a certain amount per year, for instance, the current owner will need to sell for a sum of money they can live on for the rest of their life without having to decrease their cost of living. Once the seller knows that number, they can gear their exit planning toward getting the value of the business to that point.
With a number in mind and a plan in place, the seller then becomes goal-oriented. They’re not going to pull the plug on a deal because they’re committed to hitting that goal. They’re going to engineer transferability and diversify their talent pool to make the business more attractive.
Proper Exit Planning Is Good for Both Parties
Exit planning is not about squeezing every drop of value from the business or taking all the growth opportunity off the table. That’s the “end gaming” approach to exit planning that makes potential buyers leery of acquiring businesses. When done correctly, exit planning gives the seller clarity, lowers the risk for the buyer and leaves the door open for future growth.
Expertise
Expertise
Business Strategy
Venture Capital
Business Planning
Business Analysis
Business Advisory
Exit Strategies
How Long Does It Take to Sell A Business?
Once the value of a company is determined, it can take anywhere from 6-8 months to sell.
If this is the first time selling your business, you probably have a few initial questions before moving forward with the process. One of these questions is something that is on every business owner’s mind; “how long will it take?” The time to sell can vary based on a number of factors, but we’ve had several businesses get offers within the first 30 days and close within 3 months! Over our 23 years, the average time it takes to close a business is 6 to 8 months from start to closing. Once we have officially listed a business, there are steps we take that might take longer than others. Remember that annual sales, business location, industry, cash flow multiples, and more can affect the price of the business, and can also affect how long it will take the business to sell. Below are the most common factors in the timing of selling a business:
Using a Business Broker
Seeking assistance from a business broker is the best way to sell your business as quickly and for the best price possible. An initial consultation will provide a business owner insight regarding the financials of the company as well as a projected timeline of the valuation and listing process. Viking has a team of financial analysts that value a company based on three years of tax returns, an interim profit and loss statement (P&L), an equipment list, and other important materials used to determine an accurate value of the company.
Marketing
Once a business intermediary has all the signed documents and materials to list a business, including a business profile worksheet that covers all the details, they will post the listing to a variety of marketing sites. During this time, Viking will receive buyer inquiries from these sites and our team of experienced business brokers will reach out to potential buyers that have already been vetted by our firm.
Negotiation and Due Diligence
When a prospective buyer decides to buy a business, they will offer to buy the business with an “Offer for Purchase” document. It is the due diligence period that can take some time after the offer has been signed both ways and it varies by the deal, but it usually takes anywhere between two and six weeks. During this time the buyer will become involved in reviewing detailed financial bank statements, contracts with suppliers, copies of leases, and more.
Closing
At Viking, we predict the total length of time from acceptance to closing (when funds are received) is typically in the range of 60-75 days and includes the due diligence phase, pre-closing, and the closing itself.
Other Factors
Industry
The industry can really make a difference in terms of how long it takes a business to sell. For example, we find that information technology companies sell much quicker compared to other companies in other industries because the demand is so high. An IT or MSP company will typically sell faster than a niche company such as a motorcycle dealership or custom cabinetry manufacturing business.
Location
Location plays a large part in desirability. If your business is in a growing and desirable area, the business is more likely to receive buyer inquiries at a faster rate compared to other businesses that are listed.
Selling your company can be painless if you use an experienced business broker to find the perfect buyer. Even though it can take anywhere from 6-8 months to sell a business, with an experienced business intermediary, the right price, the right buyer vetting, and the right seller financing, a business can sell in no time. Viking Mergers & Acquisitions is here to provide business owners with a process that works. Read more about our seven-step selling process and contact us today for a free consultation and valuation of your business.
How Long Does It Take to Sell A Business?
Once the value of a company is determined, it can take anywhere from 6-8 months to sell.
If this is the first time selling your business, you probably have a few initial questions before moving forward with the process. One of these questions is something that is on every business owner’s mind; “how long will it take?” The time to sell can vary based on a number of factors, but we’ve had several businesses get offers within the first 30 days and close within 3 months! Over our 23 years, the average time it takes to close a business is 6 to 8 months from start to closing. Once we have officially listed a business, there are steps we take that might take longer than others. Remember that annual sales, business location, industry, cash flow multiples, and more can affect the price of the business, and can also affect how long it will take the business to sell. Below are the most common factors in the timing of selling a business:
Using a Business Broker
Seeking assistance from a business broker is the best way to sell your business as quickly and for the best price possible. An initial consultation will provide a business owner insight regarding the financials of the company as well as a projected timeline of the valuation and listing process. Viking has a team of financial analysts that value a company based on three years of tax returns, an interim profit and loss statement (P&L), an equipment list, and other important materials used to determine an accurate value of the company.
Marketing
Once a business intermediary has all the signed documents and materials to list a business, including a business profile worksheet that covers all the details, they will post the listing to a variety of marketing sites. During this time, Viking will receive buyer inquiries from these sites and our team of experienced business brokers will reach out to potential buyers that have already been vetted by our firm.
Negotiation and Due Diligence
When a prospective buyer decides to buy a business, they will offer to buy the business with an “Offer for Purchase” document. It is the due diligence period that can take some time after the offer has been signed both ways and it varies by the deal, but it usually takes anywhere between two and six weeks. During this time the buyer will become involved in reviewing detailed financial bank statements, contracts with suppliers, copies of leases, and more.
Closing
At Viking, we predict the total length of time from acceptance to closing (when funds are received) is typically in the range of 60-75 days and includes the due diligence phase, pre-closing, and the closing itself.
Other Factors
Industry
The industry can really make a difference in terms of how long it takes a business to sell. For example, we find that information technology companies sell much quicker compared to other companies in other industries because the demand is so high. An IT or MSP company will typically sell faster than a niche company such as a motorcycle dealership or custom cabinetry manufacturing business.
Location
Location plays a large part in desirability. If your business is in a growing and desirable area, the business is more likely to receive buyer inquiries at a faster rate compared to other businesses that are listed.
Selling your company can be painless if you use an experienced business broker to find the perfect buyer. Even though it can take anywhere from 6-8 months to sell a business, with an experienced business intermediary, the right price, the right buyer vetting, and the right seller financing, a business can sell in no time. Viking Mergers & Acquisitions is here to provide business owners with a process that works. Read more about our seven-step selling process and contact us today for a free consultation and valuation of your business.
Your Business, Is Our Business
Your Business, Is Our Business
The Importance of Goodwill
Goodwill, simply stated, is the difference that exists between a business’s tangible assets and the purchase price. Goodwill can also be looked at as encapsulating all the hard work that the seller has put into the business while building it. That stated some do confuse goodwill value with the going-concern value, and this should clearly be avoided. The going-concern value deals with the concept that the business will continue to operate instead of being liquidated. Going-concern value is built around the idea that the business has ongoing value and is not ready for liquidation.
What is Goodwill?
The M&A Dictionary deems goodwill as an intangible and fixed asset, one that can be carried on “as an asset on the balance sheet, such as a recognizable company or product name or strong reputation. When one company pays more than the net book value for another, the former is typically paying for goodwill.”
In other words, goodwill is not one-dimensional in nature, but instead, encompasses a range of worth that includes such variables as reputation and long-term relationships. This often denotes a deeper value and indicates potential hidden strength within the business. For example, a strong reputation and a plethora of long-term clients and business relationships can imbue a business with both enhanced stability and longevity.
Some Prime Examples
Determining goodwill can be a complex process as it is necessary to include an array of diverse factors. Factors used in determining goodwill can range from having a loyal customer base and a strong reputation to the overall health of the local economy, being in a recession-resistant industry and having a good location. Other key factors such as strong management, skilled employees and low employee turnover are further examples of goodwill.
Other examples of goodwill can be a little more concrete in nature. A business with technologically advanced equipment, a custom-built factory, royalty agreements, and effective advertising campaigns can also have high levels of goodwill. Copyrights, patents, trade secrets, proprietary designs, and name recognition can all be powerful company assets that can be entered the overall equation.
Changing Rules Regarding Goodwill
In the past, many companies were built largely around hard assets such as machinery. But today’s industry titans are increasingly built around intellectual property, an array of patents and trademarks and even brand names. Accountants have had to adjust to this new reality when determining value.
New rules and standards were created by the Federal Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in 2001. Under these new rules and standards, goodwill may not be written off. Now, both public and private companies must include their intangible assets and this, not surprisingly, includes goodwill. Importantly, goodwill must be valued by an outside expert.
Ultimately, goodwill is more complicated today than in the past. Working with an experienced business broker is an excellent way to demystify the goodwill process and help to determine the true value of any business.
Enough about us, you should know that all that truly matters when it comes time to sell your business is YOU. Our goal is to fulfill your objectives, not ours. We benefit when you benefit. Borrowing a phrase from a popular business management mantra, “We under praise and over-deliver.”
What our customers are saying
What our customers are saying
My Biz Broker, LLC
4908 Rees LN
Woodmore, MD 20720
4908 Rees LN
Woodmore, MD 20720
Contact
Contact
301-685-5534 - Fax
Hours
Hours
Social
Social
My Biz Broker, LLC
My Biz Broker, LLC