Insights
Data-driven perspectives on business valuation, acquisitions, market conditions, and exit planning.
- Exit Planning
Selling a Business: Sometimes Slowing Down Gets You to Closing
# Sometimes Slowing Down Is How You Get to the Closing Table Last week, I was hiking in the Dolomites. At one point, the trail got much steeper. I was ge
- Exit Planning
Why a Business Sale Has to Work for the Buyer Too
A business sale has to make financial sense for both sides. Learn how cash flow, acquisition debt, buyer returns, and deal structure can influence business value.
- Exit Planning
How a Commercial Lease Can Affect the Sale of Your Business
Selling a business with a commercial lease? Learn how lease terms, renewal options, landlord approval and assignment provisions can affect a sale.
- Exit Planning
AI and Business Sales: A New Due Diligence Question
AI is becoming part of M&A due diligence. Learn what business owners should understand about AI before preparing their company for a sale.
- Exit Planning
Why Isn't My Business Selling? Reasons Buyers May Be Saying No
Why isn't your business selling? Learn why price isn't always the problem and what buyer feedback can tell you about what's preventing a sale.
- Exit Planning
Selling a Business Is Not Like Selling a Home
Selling a business is very different from selling a home. Learn how earnings, risk, owner dependence, customers, and other factors influence business value.
- Exit Planning
SBA Quality of Earnings Requirements: What Sellers Need to Know
Learn how the new SBA Quality of Earnings requirements may affect business acquisitions, add-backs, financial due diligence and sellers beginning October 1, 2026.
- Valuation Guides
How the New SBA Rules Could Affect Business Valuations
The new SBA SOP 50 10 8.1 could affect business valuations, financing and deal structure. Here’s what business owners considering a sale should know.
- Exit Planning
The Highest Offer Isn't Always the Best Offer When Selling a Business
The highest offer isn't always the best when selling a business. Learn why buyer qualifications, financing, terms and certainty of closing matter.
- Exit Planning
Business Valuation Add-Backs: What Actually Counts?
Learn what business valuation add-backs are, what expenses may qualify, and how add-backs affect SDE, adjusted EBITDA, and the value of a business.
- Exit Planning
Are There Buyers for Businesses? What Sellers Should Know
There are plenty of buyers looking to acquire good businesses. Learn what buyers look for and why preparing your business before a sale matters.
- Exit Planning
Why Business Owners and Buyers Often Value a Business Differently
Learn why business owners and buyers often arrive at different valuations, and how understanding the market can lead to a more successful business sale.
- Exit Planning
Why Buyers Love "Boring" Businesses
Learn why predictable businesses often attract more buyers and stronger offers. Discover how reducing risk and increasing confidence can improve business value before a sale.
- Exit Planning
Know Your Business Value Before You Need to Sell
Most business owners know their revenue but not what their business is worth. Learn why understanding your business's value helps you make better business decisions.
- Transaction Trends
Buyers Are Still Active: What Today's Market Means for Business Owners
# Buyers Are Still Active - They're Just More Selective I recently reviewed BizBuySell's Q2 Insight Report, and one trend immediately stood out. While tr
- Exit Planning
Why I Document Add-Backs Before Listing a Business for Sale
Learn why documenting add-backs before listing a business can make due diligence more efficient, reduce buyer questions, and help keep transactions moving.
- Exit Planning
Why Buyers Pay More for Certainty When Buying a Business
# Buyers Don't Buy Businesses. They Buy Certainty. When business owners think about increasing the value of their business, the first question is often:
- Exit Planning
Know Your Business Value Before You Need to Sell
Most business owners know their revenue, but few know what their business is worth. Learn why knowing your business value helps you make better decisions.
- Exit Planning
Letting Go of the Business You've Spent a Lifetime Building
Selling a business isn't only a financial decision. Learn why identity, purpose, and ego often play a bigger role than valuation in a successful business transition.
- Exit Planning
Clean Financials Increase Business Value and Buyer Interest
Learn why clean financial records matter when selling a business. Discover how financial transparency affects valuation, buyer confidence, SBA financing, and the number of qualified buyers.
- Exit Planning
Business Systems: Why Every Owner Should Document Their Processes
Learn why documenting business processes reduces owner dependence, improves efficiency, and strengthens your business over time. Start with one simple exercise.
- Valuation Guides
Why Higher Revenue Doesn't Always Mean a Higher Business Valuation
Think your business is worth more because it generates higher revenue? Learn why buyers focus on SDE, EBITDA, valuation multiples, and business risk - not revenue alone. Business owners naturally compare their companies to others that have recently sold.
- Exit Planning
Why I Don't Rush Businesses to Market Before They're Ready to Sell
Learn why preparing your financials and anticipating buyer questions before listing your business can lead to a smoother sale process and better outcomes.
- Exit Planning
Why Predictable Revenue Increases Business Value
Learn why buyers place a higher value on businesses with predictable revenue. Discover how recurring customers, contracts, and service agreements can increase business value before a sale.
- Exit Planning
What Your Calendar Reveals About Your Business
Discover how reviewing your calendar can reveal hidden bottlenecks, improve delegation, and build a business that's easier to grow and sell.
- Market Reports
SMB M&A in 2026: Cautious Buyers, Disciplined Sellers
Where deal activity, valuations, and buyer demand stand in the lower middle market in 2026, and what it means if you are weighing a sale.