Category Archives: Valuing, Buying or Selling a Business

A discussion of the issues involved in buying or selling a business by William Bruce, president of the American Business Brokers Association.

Why Some Small Businesses Don’t Sell

Posted on January 10, 2023 by William Bruce

As a business broker for over 35 years, I’m often asked why some small businesses don’t sell. It’s a sad situation when a business owner reaches retirement and can’t find a buyer for their business. Too many times, they just … Continue reading →

Selling Your Business? Be Aware of the Differences in a Financial Versus a Strategic Buyer.

Posted on July 6, 2022 by William Bruce

In selling a business, it’s critically important to know the motivations of a prospective buyer. Often this boils down to determining whether the prospect is a financial or a strategic buyer. Getting the sale of the business to the closing … Continue reading →

Posted in Valuing, Buying or Selling a Business | Tagged Difference in financial and strategic buyer, financial business buyer defined, financial vs strategic business buyer, strategic business buyer defined | 1 Comment

It’s Vacation Time. Here Are 3 Ways to Protect Your Data While Taking a Break.

Posted on May 16, 2022 by William Bruce

SmallBiz-Resources.com has an excellent article out by Bill Aimone on how to manage your data security while on vacation. The three issues discussed in the article are: Technology Setup If you take a laptop on vacation, make sure it’s protected … Continue reading →

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Seven Reasons to Retain A Business Broker When Selling Your Business

Posted on March 7, 2022 by William Bruce

You’ve probably spent years building your business. And so, when it comes time to exit, how can you increase the chances of a successful transition? Retaining an experienced business broker is a good place to start. Our friends at Hatchit.us … Continue reading →

Posted in Business Valuation & Appraisal, Valuing, Buying or Selling a Business | 2 Comments

Small Business Valuation Multiples Explained

Posted on February 20, 2022 by William Bruce

In the complex area of small business valuations, are you confused about which earnings valuation multiple to use? There are at least six earnings computations, including: SDE – Seller’s Discretionary Earnings EBIT – Earnings Before Interest and Taxes EBITDA – … Continue reading →

Posted in Business Valuation & Appraisal, Valuing, Buying or Selling a Business | Tagged Business valuation multiples, EBIT, EBITDA, SDE Seller's Discretionary Earnings, Small business valuation, When to use SDE or EBITDA, William Bruce Business Sales & Acquisitions | 1 Comment

Who Will Buy Your Family Business?

Posted on September 20, 2021 by William Bruce

As a business broker and valuation specialist, I’m often asked about the issues involved in selling a family business. Ideally, family business owners should start planning for ownership transition well before the event. One of the first steps in planning … Continue reading →

Posted in Valuing, Buying or Selling a Business | Tagged buyers for family business, family business sale, sale of family business | Leave a comment

America’s Premiere – and Free – Small Business Consulting Service

Posted on February 22, 2021 by William Bruce

“You have the best coach, business advisor, analyst and mentor I’ve ever had in any business,” says businessman Reed Rogers Of Lillian, Alabama, when talking about the assistance he received from the local Small Business Development Center. And the good … Continue reading →

Posted in Valuing, Buying or Selling a Business | Tagged assistance for entrepreneurs, business start-up advice, free business advice, SBDC, Small Business Development Centers, William Bruce | Leave a comment

Should You Sell Your Business Now or Wait?

Posted on December 1, 2020 by William Bruce

We’re living in strange times with the pandemic, a record number of hurricanes and a change of residents in the White House. So if you’re considering exiting your business, it’s natural to wonder if you should sell your business now … Continue reading →

Posted in Business Valuation & Appraisal, Valuing, Buying or Selling a Business | Tagged business valuations during pandemic, sell business now or wait, selling business during pandemic | Leave a comment

Considering Buying a Small Business? Here’s How to Analyze a Business for Sale

Posted on October 19, 2020 by William Bruce

Let’s say you’re serious about going into business for yourself and have identified an attractive business that is for sale. You’re interested in investigating the opportunity. What’s next? How do you check it out? Continue reading →

Posted in Valuing, Buying or Selling a Business | Tagged business analysis, business broker, business for sale, compute discretionary cash flow, EBIT, EBITDA, how to analyze a business, how to buy a business, how to check out a business, Small business, what are discretionary earnings, what is cash flow | 72 Comments

Here’s How to Value an HVAC Business

Posted on August 31, 2020 by William Bruce

Updated July 2024 with the most recent information. The valuation of privately held businesses is sometimes confusing. But fortunately for heating, ventilation and air conditioning – HVAC – businesses, we have valuation formulas that will yield a pretty close approximation … Continue reading →