Planning Ahead for a Sale

As you start thinking about selling your business, it is important to engage with someone who can coach you. There’s a lot of value you can create over the final years before you sell.

Start asking questions like, “How can I position my business for sale? What are the levers I can start to pull over the next 1 to 2 years to really make my business attractive?”

We often meet with clients months and even years ahead. This is a form of exit planning with a transfer in mind down the road.

Business Transition Academy is a good online resource developed by Jane Johnson who offers both a web based and personal program.

Some realize they need assistance with management and growth challenges. One place to seek help is David Clough of MPower Advisors who helps owners build their teams, organization and strategy.

Surveys have found, however, that many owners don’t plan their exit and as a result may not achieve the full potential value for their life’s work.

What our clients are saying...

“New Image Coatings, owners of Seal-Once, retained Business Transition Strategies in April of 2015 to locate a strategic buyer for the company. This was successfully completed during April of 2016 when we were acquired by UC Coatings of Buffalo, New York. Working at our side throughout this process were John Howe director, and Ken Schaefer, deputy director, of Business Transition Strategies. From the start of the project, where the information memorandum was developed, to helping us create the management presentation to acquirers, through negotiating the letter of intent and then the definitive agreement, they were there with me and our professional team every step of the way. It took nearly one year to the day to complete the project, but they never lost focus on my best interests and helped me keep my eye on business. This sale was very complex. It included transfer of trade secrets from the product developer, …as well as the transfer of a manufacturing and licensing agreement we had with the core compound producer… John and Ken marketed the company to a range of strategic acquirers, including a number of private equity groups and their platform companies, which ultimately resulted in an agreement with United Coatings… BTS’s level of expertise in the process and close attention to detail enabled us to successfully navigate the deal. I would recommend John Howe and Ken Schaefer to any company owner considering selling.”

- Hank Croteau

New Image Coatings