Business Exits By Industry

Selling a Cigar Bars Business

Few entrepreneurs relish the idea of selling a business in a struggling economy. Yet cigar bars businesses continue to be sold at a brisk pace, outperforming the sales of many other types of businesses.

You're optimistic about the economy and so are we. Now the challenge is to convert business buyers who may have a more skeptical outlook.

You'll always have an excuse for not putting your business on the market. Selling a cigar bars business isn't easy, but we believe sellers can achieve their goals in any economic environment.

Workforce Concerns

As a business owner, you want to keep you employees informed about your plans; as a seller it's in your best interest to keep your employees in the dark for as long as possible. On the one hand, confidentiality is critical for a successful cigar bars business sale. But sooner or later, employees will begin to suspect that something is up, especially when you start parading prospective buyers through the business. Consider informing your key employees first, followed by the rest of your workforce later in the process. Above all else, it's imperative to encourage your workers to maintain a positive attitude and work ethic. If you're having trouble navigating the employee minefield, consult a business broker for advice.

Timing the Market

Worried about timing? Believe it or not, this could be an advantageous time to put a cigar bars business up for sale. A depressed economy means lower interest rates; lower interest rates increase the number of investors willing to take a chance on cigar bars businesses. As the interest rates rise, it will be more difficult for buyers to make the numbers work in their favor. So we see market timing as a concern that can be easily mitigated by applying fundamental sales strategies and adequately preparing your company for buyers.

Post-Sale Details

As your cigar bars businesssale nears completion, there is a lot of work remaining to be done. There are several details that still need to be addressed. What will the ownership transition look like? Are you prepared to deal with the tax consequences of receiving a significant sum of money in exchange for your business? How will you prepare your employees for your inevitable exit from the business? If there are pending details that still need to ironed out, address them ASAP to ensure a smooth closing and transition.

Share this article


Additional Resources for Entrepreneurs

Lists of Venture Capital and Private Equity Firms

Franchise Opportunities

Contributors

Business Glossary