I've valued over 40 businesses this year, and one of the most consistent challenges I've seen is that most companies are overly dependent on the owner.

When beginning the process of selling your business, it’s important to consider what you can do to attract the right buyer.

Smart sellers know that preparation is everything. When your financials are clean, your operations run smoothly, and you've got the right team helping you, buyers notice. They see a business that won't keep them up at night worrying.

I've helped dozens of business owners prepare for successful exits, and I've learned that the highest valuations go to businesses that look ready to run without their current owner.

I put together an outline describing the key stages to help you better understand selling your business two years ago and I thought it could use an update. Here is the revised version.

Over the last couple months, I've seen a large increase in calls from sellers who are starting to explore the option of selling their businesses.

Selling a business is far more complex than listing it on a marketplace and waiting for offers

How to Make Your Business More Valuable (checklist included)

The Power of a Well-Prepared CIM in the Business Sale Process

Common Mistakes That Lower Business Value – And How to Avoid Them

For business owners in the Greater Sacramento area, the marketplace offers a mixture of opportunities and challenges.

These key questions will help you get to know each prospective buyer and identify which ones can offer the right price.