Sell a Business for the Best Price
Selling a Pushcarts Business
Owning a pushcarts business hasn't always been a bed of roses, but it's been worth the effort. The next step is to position your business for the demands of the business-for-sale marketplace.
Dire economic forecasts have forced many pushcarts business sellers into hibernation. Instead of listing their companies now, they're hanging back until they see signs of an economic recovery.
To achieve your goals, you'll need to know the market as well as key business selling techniques. As a business seller, you need to go into the process with the mental goal of presenting your business in the best possible light.
Brokerage Benefits
A good broker can offer several benefits to business sellers. First-rate brokers are extremely skilled at communicating your company's strengths to prospective buyers. More importantly, brokers have the ability to identify serious buyers and maintain confidentiality throughout the sale process. Brokerage isn't cheap. But even though you can spend as much as 10% of the sale price on a good broker, you'll likely achieve decent ROI through an improved final sale price.
Timing the Market
Now may be the best time to sell a pushcarts business. A depressed economy means lower interest rates; lower interest rates increase the number of investors willing to take a chance on pushcarts businesses. As the interest rates rise, it will be more difficult for buyers to make the numbers work in their favor. At Gaebler, we recognize the value of timing the sale of your pushcarts business. But we think it's more important to properly position your business for current market conditions -- whatever they may be.
Preparing Your Employees
As a business owner, you want to keep you employees informed about your plans; as a seller it's in your best interest to keep your employees in the dark for as long as possible. You're concerned about confidentiality, and rightfully so. If you keep your employees out of the loop too long, it's inevitable that misinformation will filter throughout your workplace. Consider informing your key employees first, followed by the rest of your workforce later in the process. Above all else, it's imperative to encourage your workers to maintain a positive attitude and work ethic. If you're having trouble navigating the employee minefield, consult a business broker for advice.
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