How to Sell a Niche Market Business

Selling an Energy Conservation Products and Services Business

Many business leaders say that now isn't the time to try to sell an energy conservation products and services business. At Gaebler, we think it's a great time to sell an energy conservation products and services business. Here's why . . ..

It takes dedication to sell an energy conservation products and services business under the best of circumstances. In the current market, you'll need to redouble your efforts and get serious about convincing prospects that your company is a good investment.

Despite the conventional wisdom, we believe current economic conditions are right for selling an energy conservation products and services business. Here's how to do it . . .

Buyer Concessions

Most energy conservation products and services business sellers realize they will need to offer concessions to sell their businesses. But for every concession you grant, there may be an opportunity to obtain a concession from the buyer. Although this scenario frequently plays out around seller financed deals, it's possible to push for a higher sales price or other form of compensation if you agree to mentor the buyer for a specified period of time. You can also choose to exclude certain items like equipment or inventory from the deal if the buyer isn't willing to meet your price expectations. By selling excluded assets on the secondary market, you can compensate for an anemic sale price.

Moving On

The decision to sell your energy conservation products and services business can't be made without adequate consideration of what will happen after the sale. If you aren't sure what's next, you could be in trouble because future plans and selling strategy are inextricably connected. In today's market, many buyers expect seller financing - a concession that might not be a possibility for sellers whose next step requires the entire proceeds at the time of the sale.

Working with Accountants

Accountants come into play at several stages of the sale process. From a seller perspective, an accountant can offer personal financial assistance, especially when it comes to handling the disposition of sale proceeds. You may also want your accountant to assist in the preparation of professional financials to present to serious buyers. With seller financing becoming common, professional accountants are playing a more central role in negotiations and buyer qualification.

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