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How Business Owners Can Prepare 1–3 Years Before Exit
Intro The best time to prepare business for exit is often 1-3 years before the owner wants to sell, transition, or reduce involvement. Waiting until the last minute can limit options. Exit planning gives owners time to improve value growth, clean up financial records, reduce owner dependence, address succession planning, and improve transferability. Start with
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Should I Sell My Company or Prepare for IPO Readiness?
Intro Owners of profitable companies sometimes ask whether they should sell company or prepare for IPO. The answer depends on value, scale, management readiness, growth story, financial quality, owner goals, and market timing. Some owners should pursue a confidential business sale. Others should explore capital strategy advisory, acquisition growth, or an IPO readiness assessment before
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What Is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor and How Can CEPA Help Business Owners?
Intro A Certified Exit Planning Advisor is trained to help business owners think beyond a single transaction. CEPA is a professional credential focused on exit planning for business owners, value acceleration, owner readiness, business readiness, and alignment of business, personal, and financial goals. A CEPA does not replace the owner’s CPA, attorney, wealth advisor, or
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Internal Succession vs. Selling the Business: Which Path Fits Your Goals?
Intro Many owners eventually face the question of internal succession vs selling business. Should the company be transferred to children, family members, management, partners, or employees? Or should it be sold externally to a private buyer, strategic buyer, family office, or private equity group? Exit planning for business owners helps clarify which path fits the
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How SBA Financing Impacts the Sale of a Business
Intro SBA financing business acquisition can significantly affect the sale of a small to mid-sized business. Many buyers do not purchase entirely with cash. They rely on SBA loan business purchase financing, a business acquisition loan, seller financing, or a combination. Sellers who understand financing can improve buyer screening and closing probability. Why SBA financing
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What Documents Do I Need to Sell My Business?
Intro The documents needed to sell a business depend on the company type, size, buyer profile, and deal structure. However, most buyers will request a similar set of business sale documents during valuation, buyer screening, LOI, and due diligence. Preparing these documents early can make the process smoother and more credible. Financial documents A basic
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Can I Sell My Business If My Tax Return Shows Low Profit?
Intro Many owners ask whether they can sell business with low tax return profit. The answer is sometimes yes, but it depends on whether the company has real, supportable cash flow and whether the financial story can be explained clearly. A low profit tax return may create challenges, but it does not automatically mean the
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What Add-Backs Are Accepted When Selling a Business?
Intro Add backs business valuation is one of the most important topics for owners preparing to sell. Many businesses show lower taxable income than their actual economic benefit to the owner. Financial recasting helps identify owner benefit, non-recurring expenses, and SDE add-backs that may help buyers understand the company’s true earnings power. What is an
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SDE vs. EBITDA: What Business Sellers Need to Understand
Intro When preparing for a business sale valuation, owners often hear two terms: SDE vs EBITDA. Both are used to measure earnings, but they are not the same. Understanding seller discretionary earnings, EBITDA business valuation, owner benefit, and add-backs can help sellers explain the company’s true earnings power to buyers and lenders. What is SDE?
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How Much Is My Business Worth? A Practical Guide for Business Owners
Intro One of the first questions owners ask is: how much is my business worth? The honest answer depends on more than revenue. Buyers evaluate cash flow, risk, transferability, industry demand, financing options, customer concentration, owner involvement, and growth potential. Professional business valuation services help owners understand a realistic market range before deciding whether to