If you’ve read many of our articles, you know we love to talk about how critical it is to maintain strict confidentiality when selling your business. Only a handful of people should know you’re thinking of selling: your spouse, financial planner, accountant, and attorney. This element alone will often push a seller toward engaging with a business broker who can market their business ‘blindly’ or confidentially.
Another reason to use a broker that gets less attention: marketing nationally. Most business owners have a limited sphere of influence which includes their immediate market area and maybe a few pockets of friends or acquaintances in other geographic areas. Business brokers, on the other hand, have access to all the business-for-sale websites that buyers visit in addition to a nationwide network of buyers. This provides a national reach that would be cost-prohibitive for an individual seller.
Every year, we see a lot of buyers looking outside their local areas. They’re often attracted to long-distance ownership in order to:
What does this look like in real life? Let’s say we have a construction business located in Tennessee that is doing $3 million/year in revenue and has $750,000 in Seller’s Discretionary Earnings. The seller is looking to exit and can be replaced by a general manager who is good at leading and managing a sales team. It is very possible that a buyer who has a similar operation in North Carolina might see this blind listing on a business-for-sale website and inquire about it thinking they will spend $2.5 million on the acquisition, realize the synergies of using their company’s back office, put a general manager in place, and breakeven in 3 years. For the seller, this can mean a faster sale, potentially better valuation, and the confidence that their team and clients will be well cared for.
As a seller, your best buyer might not live in your city—or even work in your industry. That’s why it’s essential to partner with a business broker who can market your opportunity confidentially and nationally. Our team works across the U.S. every day and brings a curated network of buyers to the table. When you’re ready for a discreet, expert-guided conversation, reach out. We’d love to help you find the best possible fit for your business and your future.
