Exit Planning Tips

Selling a Home Demonstrations Business

You've invested time, effort, and creativity into building your home demonstrations business. To see your ownership role through to completion, you will need to exhibit similar diligence in selling your company.

Dire economic forecasts have forced many home demonstrations business sellers into hibernation. Instead of listing their companies now, they're hanging back until they see signs of an economic recovery.

Most home demonstrations businesses are good business opportunities, a fact that is not going unnoticed by today's discerning buyers.

Handling Unexpected Outcomes

Every business seller dreams of a fast sale and a fat payday. But it's highly unlikely that the sale will meet all of your expectations, especially if your initial estimates were created without the benefit of a solid appraisal or market knowledge. Despite your best efforts, you need to prepare yourself for the possibility of receiving less than you expected from the sale of your home demonstrations business. In the event that the sale fails to meet your expectations, you may want to consider taking the business off the market until you can grow it enough to achieve your desired sale price.

Preparing Your Home Demonstrations Business for Sale

Like it or not, a good business sale takes time. Profitable home demonstrations business sales begin with a comprehensive strategy that incorporates planning, preparation and market positioning. Branding, market positioning, and revenue growth take time, but they directly influence the price your home demonstrations business will command in the marketplace. It is especially helpful if your financial reports can demonstrate a multiyear growth trend for potential buyers.

Seller Concessions

Seller concessions are becoming more commonplace in business-for-sale transactions. By far, seller financing is the most sought-after concession, especially in the current economic environment. With entrepreneurs struggling to secure capital, you may be the buyer's only source of financing. As an alternative, clearly state that seller financing is not an option and consider offering other concessions to see the sale through to its completion.

Share this article


Additional Resources for Entrepreneurs

Lists of Venture Capital and Private Equity Firms

Franchise Opportunities

Contributors

Business Glossary