Selling your business is a significant decision and often the culmination of years of work. Cooperhawk Business Brokers provides experienced, hands-on guidance to help business owners prepare for a sale, confidentially market the business, evaluate prospective buyers, and navigate the transaction from valuation through closing.
Throughout the process, we provide straightforward guidance and clear communication so you understand your options and can make informed decisions about the sale of your business.
Selling a Business Step-by-Step
Selling a business involves several stages, and each transaction can develop differently. Here’s what the process may look like when working with an experienced business brokerage firm.
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Valuation, Preparation & Self-Assessment
We start with a free business valuation and an assessment of what your business may be worth and factors that may affect its marketability. From there we can provide specific recommendations on steps you can take to improve the business before it goes to market.
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Marketing & Buyer Identification
We’ll create a confidential listing, draw on our network of prospective buyers, and strategically market your business to identify qualified buyers with the interest and financial capacity to pursue the opportunity.
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Negotiation & Due Diligence
We manage offers, facilitate negotiations, and guide you through the due diligence process so you understand what comes next and what may be required along the way.
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Closing & Transition
Along with your CPA and attorney, we’ll help you finalize the deal to support a smooth handoff to the buyer.
Why Business Owners Choose Us
Experienced Transaction Guidance
Honest, Transparent Guidance
Qualified Buyer Identification
Thoughtful Deal Evaluation
Selling a Business FAQs
A business’s potential value depends on several factors, including financial performance, profitability, industry, operations, customer concentration, market conditions, and other characteristics of the business. Cooperhawk offers free business valuations to help owners develop an informed perspective on what their business may be worth.
Valuation multiples provide one way to evaluate a business in relation to earnings measures such as Seller’s Discretionary Earnings (SDE) or EBITDA. Multiples can vary based on industry, business size, financial performance, risk, growth, customer concentration, transferability, market conditions, and other factors. Comparable business sales and other valuation approaches may also provide useful context.
Every business is different, so preparation should begin with understanding the factors that may affect value and marketability. Depending on the business, that may include financial reporting, customer concentration, staffing, equipment, documented processes, owner dependence, contracts, and other operational considerations. Identifying these issues before going to market can give an owner time to determine which ones are practical to address. For more information, check out our guide to selling your business.
Financial information is an important part of both valuation and buyer due diligence. Buyers and lenders may review several years of profit and loss statements, balance sheets, tax returns, and other financial records to understand historical performance and evaluate the business. Clear, consistent financial information can make it easier for buyers and their advisors to understand the business and evaluate an acquisition.
The time required to sell a business varies based on factors such as the business, industry, asking price, buyer demand, financing, due diligence, and the terms of the transaction. A business sale can take several months or longer from preparation through closing. Cooperhawk keeps owners informed throughout the process and helps coordinate each stage as the transaction progresses.
Financial records are an important place to start because buyers, lenders, and advisors may review them closely during valuation and due diligence. Staffing, equipment, systems, contracts, documentation, and day-to-day operations may also affect how a buyer evaluates the business. The areas worth addressing will depend on the circumstances of the individual business.
Thinking About Selling or Buying a Business?
Most business sales begin long before an owner decides to sell. For many owners, that starts with understanding what the business may be worth and thinking through the timing.
Cooperhawk offers complimentary business valuations and confidential conversations for owners at any stage, whether you’re planning years ahead or ready to explore a sale. We also work with buyers evaluating acquisition opportunities.
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