How to Sell a Niche Market Business

Selling an Environmental Surveys Business

You've learned a lot during your tenure as an environmental surveys business owner. Now the trick is to convince cautious buyers that your operation is worth the asking price.

Today's environmental surveys business buyers tend to be more skeptical than most about the nation's economic outlook.

To sell an environmental surveys business now, you need to apply the right combination of preparation, strategy and common sense.

What to Expect in an Environmental Surveys Business Sale

Prepare yourself to feel a broad range of emotions when you sell an environmental surveys business. From hopefulness to remorse, it's all part of exiting of your company. Given your personal investment, you may also experience disappointment in the market's assessment of your company's value. Although it isn't easy, you can mitigate the emotional impact of an environmental surveys business sale by setting realistic expectations before you list your business.

Why Confidentiality Matters

Confidentiality determines risk in the business-for-sale marketplace. A low-key selling strategy is a low risk activity because you can control who does (and doesn't) know that your business is on the market. Eventually, word will leak out. When that happens, it can damage your standing with customers and vendors. Although it can be difficult, it's important to strike a balance between confidentiality and sale promotion. Brokers and consultants can mitigate the risk by implementing confidential sale techniques.

Working with Appraisers

An experienced appraiser is part and parcel of a successful environmental surveys business sale. Leading industry appraisers equip sellers with a value gauge that can be accessed during negotiations. If you're disappointed with the appraiser's estimate of your company's worth, you have the option of seeking a second opinion. However, it's more often the case that you will need to adjust your expectations of your business's value to buyers.

Share this article


Additional Resources for Entrepreneurs

Lists of Venture Capital and Private Equity Firms

Franchise Opportunities

Contributors

Business Glossary