Business Exit Planning
Selling a Marriage and Family Counseling Information and Referral Services Business
We hear it all the time: 'This economy is a hostile environment for a business sale.' However, marriage and family counseling information and referral services businesses haven't heard the news and are reporting steady action on the business-for-sale market.
Economic data is scary stuff for small business owners. But quarterly data dumps don't impact marriage and family counseling information and referral services business sales nearly as much as sale strategy.
You'll always have an excuse for not putting your business on the market. With hard work and dedication, your marriage and family counseling information and referral services business can be sold at or above fair market value right now.
Dealing with Your Emotions
Coping with the emotions of a business sale can be difficult, even under the best of circumstances. Be prepared to experience everything from elation to remorse during the sale of your business. Instead of feeling guilty about your emotions, take the time to process them with a mentor or friend. At the same time, it's helpful to consult with people who can help limit the influence of your emotions on negotiations and other aspects of the sale process.
Leveraging Industry Connections
These days, marriage and family counseling information and referral services business buyers are an extremely diverse group with backgrounds in and outside of the industry. Online business-for-sale databases have value, although they appeal to an exceptionally wide base of prospects. More focused prospects are typically found within industry networks. The downside of industry networks is that it leaves your company vulnerable to exploitation by competitors. Use good sense in restricting the flow of information within the industry and focusing your efforts toward trusted industry allies.
Leveraging Seller Concessions
It's becoming more difficult to sell a marriage and family counseling information and referral services business without considering seller concessions. By far, seller financing is the most sought-after concession, especially in the current economic environment. Capital is scarce, causing new entrepreneurs to rely on sellers to finance at least part of the purchase price. If you are unwilling or unable to offer financing, be prepared to offer other types of concessions to close the deal.
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