When Business is not Just Business

When Business is not “Just Business”

 I think most that have been operating in the business world have heard the expression  “Its just Business”, like “sorry I have to use another vendor- you know Its just business”.  Or I hate to let you go… “Its just business”.  It falls into a similar category of the discussion small business owners have about their employees and are constantly advised to not worry so much about employees and the difficult policies, pay cuts, benefit cuts are “just business”.  I recognize the truth to that matter, but when you talk to most business owners with long term employees you see that is easier said than done.

Emotions are a part of business.  Sometimes the business relationship can turn into something much stronger , friendships are developed and suddenly it becomes more than “just business”.

I am a Business Broker Based in Jacksonville Florida.  I lost a dear person last week to cancer.  It was more sudden,  unfair, and painful to me than I expected.  This person was a client- which is such an inappropriate word in this case.  This husband and wife had hired me to sell their business.   It took a long time.  We are under contract  (and have had other potential buyers) her, her husband and I  did expect this transaction to happen but the Cancer happened faster.

I’m not a dinosaur but I’ve been in the business world long enough to gain a perspective where I look for more out of my business activities that wins/losses.  We all know there is a lot of “the same old same old” in our business activities and sprinkled among the day to day are special people and special situations that stand out.  I am involved with business brokerage as I recognize Buying or selling a business as a life changing event – it was for me.  Marriage, children, Buying a business, Selling a business are life events that can shape a life- but death trumps them all.  She incentifyed me by being so nice to me throughout this process.  We all have favorite clients or customers- and she fit the bill. They both are wonderful people.   I recognize that it is easy as a business broker to “get in the way” of a small business owner.  They are trying to run their business while you are trying to sell their business and its easy for some overlap or conflict to occur.   She made me welcome every time I walked into their business. She would encourage my efforts with a hug or offering some take out lunch as we strategized the sale of their business.    She is watching from above to make sure I help her husband complete her request to have their business sold so that he can enjoy life after the sale of the business. Even though its painfully obvious it won’t be the same.  And yes we still have a way to go in the process, but I do say to myself, what if I could have sold it a few months earlier…

I don’t know if I ever want to get good at selling a business for a dying client.   I don’t know if I am doing everything right this time.  Her husband and I had discussed and had a Power of Attorney to be signed by his attorney representing him in the sale… just in case.  He called just hours after she passed away.  I didn’t know how soon was too soon to go see him.  I went over to his business just days after her passing- unannounced with the hope of catching him at the office.  Over the years I had always made an appointment- but fortunately he was there. , I brought flowers, gave him a hug, and offered any support I could.   Behind closed doors we balanced our talk between life, and what we need to do going forward to accomplish what she wanted done- selling of the family business.   First he had to take care of the services and family.   Sometimes it is very much more than Just Business.

(April 2014-this article was written just days after a dear client passed away.  The business sale closed approx. 2 months after.   We experienced further difficulties in the closing process which made matters even more difficult for the Seller (husband of the deceased wife).  After numerous delays, we closed on the sale of the business.  This post touches on some personal matters, and it was only until recently that I asked Seller to read and give his approval for me to post and share these events )                     

Selling Your Business and Dying

When are you thinking about selling your business?  10 years before you die or 1 year after you die.

I don’t like thinking about death, I dont like talking about it, I dont like writing about it.   My Mom just passed away a few short weeks ago. I am a business broker based in Florida   helping people  buy and sell businesses.  I started and ran and owned a business of 20 years and successfully sold it.  I know my Mom was proud of me.  I know it.  Is that an even exchange?.  Mom you give all of yourself for me your whole life and in exchange, I will try to make your proud of me

I have so many discussions with people about significant life decision.  Business owners want to sell “so they can enjoy life”.  Prospective business buyers want to buy a business because the opportunity to do so wont be there forever.  Life is short.  I Currently have a client that the  owners (husband and  wife)  wanted me to help sell their business.  It took a long time.  We have it under contract,  But several months ago, the wife got sick, and then sicker and then a few months ago, she passed away, at a relatively young age.  They wanted to sell their business so they were not so tied to their business and they could enjoy “those other things in life” together.  As she got sick, they anticipated having x years to enjoy life together, without the business.  Those years became months and then became days and now the surviving husband is trying to piece together plans of how he can enjoy his days without the woman he had made those prior plans with.

“I am going to wait to sell my business next year”.  Sometimes there is no next year.

I sold my successful business of 20 years at a relatively young age because I wanted to do something else.  I had some health issues that afforded me a different perspective on life.  I am now a business broker and I truely  enjoy and embrace the magnitude of what I am part of.  Buying and selling a business is a life changing event. Yet being a business broker is also a very challenging and difficult business.

So many business article exist on the internet  about how to “Buy the Best Business” or “How to Sell your Florida Business”, or “5 Best ways to find the best Business Broker” .   I’ve even written some myself.  This is not one of them.  How much do you let life get in the way of your business?  How much do you let business get in the way of your life?

 I got back from doing my Moms eulogy to meet with a 71 year old business owner that wants to sell his business “so he can enjoy life fully with his wife”.  Isn’t that a good reason to sell your business?.  I not only think so- I know so.

What does a Business Buyer look like

Florida Business Buyer

What does a Business Buyer look like

What does a Business Buyer Look Like?

Are you a Business Seller Looking to Sell Your Business and wondering what does a Business Buyer Looks Like?

Do you represent a Business Seller and are looking for a business buyer for your client- What should you look for in a business Buyer- What Does a Business Buyer Look like?

I am a Florida  Business Broker  working with both business buyers and business Seller.  I am also a Business Buyer.  Prior to being a business broker I started and owned my own business of 20 years and utilized business acquisitions along with organic growth to advance my business.  I had bought multiple businesses as a stategic business buyer.  I am also a business Seller as I actually did sell my own business.  The “Business Buyer”  I sold my business to was represented by a business broker and we experienced a successful business transition.

The person that bought my business is a business buyer -He is not a Business Buyer Prospect.  So much of the work and efforts involved with the process of buying and selling a business is the extensive involvement with Business Buyer Prospects.  Very often “business buyer prospects”  are referred to as Business Buyers. There is a significant difference between a business buyer and a prospective business buyer.  Each deal has 2 sides- a Buyer and Seller.  I like to use the term Business Buyer Prospect for someone contemplating an acquisition.  Most Prospective Business Buyers dont buy a business.  Various business brokers, M&A people, and related professionals have  their own personal experiences as to how many “Business Buyer Prospects” turn into actual “Business Buyers”.

Personally I think that anywhere between 75 %-95% of those that state an interest in buying a business do not buy a business.  So approximately 9 out of 10 (plus/minus)  of these “Business Buyer Prospects” never become “Business Buyers”.

SO What does a Business Buyer Look like?   How do they look different than the 75-95% of the “Business Buyer Prospects” that do not buy a business.

I contend that looks have nothing to do with what does a business buyer looks like.

A Business Buyer Acts a certain Way. A Business Buyer acts different than a Business Buyer Prospect.

What Does a Business Buyer Act Like?

1)     They have a plan-  “When you buy the business in Florida ,and you now live in Chicago-How will you run the Florida business?”

Business Buyer Prospect- “I dont know”

Business Buyer- ” I just sold my house and have a rental in Florida and plan to move there in December”

 

2)     They have funds or funding plans-  “How much money do you have available to buy a business?”

Business Buyer Prospect- ” If I find the right business- I can get the money” or ” Im not sure yet”,”I’m not worried about that yet”

Business Buyer- “I have x amount available for down payment on a business, so I know what the maximum I can spend and need to find a business that fit this budget”

3)     They understand  certain information will be required from them-

Business Buyer prospect- “why do I need to sign this NDA and give you some financial or background information on me? I just wanted to know what the Sellers Taxes look like”

Business Buyer- ” I have returned the requested NDA and personal financial statement. what is our next step”

 

4)     They ACT,they make necessary steps/moves to move the deal forward

Business Buyer Prospect- ” Yes that business looks to be exactly what I said I was looking for but think I will wait to see if Seller drops price or another opportunity becomes available.”

Business Buyer- “Yes that business looks to be exactly what I said I was looking for- what is the next step so I can get closer to ensuring I dont miss out on this opportunity.

 

What does a business buyer look like? – They are tall, short, fat, skinny, young,old, wearing shorts, wearing dress pants, wearing a dress, have tattoos all over their body.  They are from many different backgrounds,  they are many different religions and races. They look “normal” like you and I.

When I was growing my business though acquisition and I identified an acquisition opportunity I would worry about not securing that opportunity.  I made the decision that the opportunity was good for my company and would be disappointed if I missed out on that business opportunity.  I knew I needed to ACT like a business buyer.   You wont know what a business buyer looks like based on appearance, “business buyer prospects” and “business buyers”  look very much alike.  Are you looking to sell your business?  As a business Seller you will know what a business buyer looks like by the way a business buyer acts. Are you a prospective “business buyer prospect” and are you genuinely looking to buy a business?  I could suggest that you act like a business buyer and you will both stand out from all the others out there looking and also achieve your goal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Word on Buying or Selling a Business

Considering Buying or Selling a Business?

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Florida Business For Sale | 100 Facts on Sold August 2012

Florida Business For SaleFlorida Business For Sale | Business Broker

I am a Florida Business broker working with business owners selling their Florida  businesses, and business owners and individuals looking for acquisitions.  Prospective business buyers I work with are located in Florida, US., and Business buyers in Europe and throughout the world.

As a  member of Business Brokers of Florida, which is the largest state Association of Business Brokers in the United States we have access to significant data regarding businesses being bought and sold .   Thousands of businesses for sale are represented by over 1000 business brokers that are members of this Association.  These business brokers list their respective businesses for sale and prospective business buyers on a centralized listing site and buyers and sellers of businesses are brought together. Several thousand businesses for sale are listed, modified, and advertised thru this website.  Valuable information regarding Florida business for Sale and Florida Businesses Sold help me as a Business Broker Profesional  keep track of the ebb and flow of the Florida Business Acquisition Market.  Understanding a business to assist in selling that business requires an understanding of the numbers behind  that business.  And understanding the marketplace in which this business may be sold is furthered by a review of the data surrounding businesses being bought and sold in Florida. The below are 100 +-  facts, statistics, totals, and items of note surrounding the business acquisition and sales market in the State of Florida. Other businesses are bought and sold without the assistance of members Business Brokers of Florida, and that info is not included in this analysis. All of these numbers are as of today August 15th, 2012….

Florida Business For Sale | Thousands For Sale?

  • There are approximately 3020 Florida Businesses for Sale
  • There are approx. 100 Florida Business For Sale that have both a net income of $100k or more and require no more than a $100k Net income
  • Of the 3000 plus Florida Businesses For Sale 17 have a Net Income of $1M
  • Of the 3000 plus Florida Businesses for Sale 1142  have Net Income greater than $100k

Below are actual businesses currently for Sale in Florida-  in North Florida (Jacksonville Florida) , Central Florida (Orlando area) and South Florida (Miami area)

 

Automotive
Location Category Detail Price Adjusted Net Sales
Orange, Florida USA Fleet Service 290,000 172,108 301,166
Cleaning/Clothing
Location Category Price Adjusted Net Sales
Orange, Florida USA Dry Cleaners 325,000 118,650 548,952
Construction
Location Category Detail Price Adjusted Net Sales
Orange, Florida USA Contractor Electric 138,967 1,095,531
Medical Related
Location Category Detail Price Adjusted Net Sales
Orange, Florida USA Medical Equipment 265,061 1,332,620
Motorcycle
Location Category Detail Price Adjusted Net Sales
Miami-Dade, Florida USA Motorcycle Dealership 125,000 100,515 900,816
Restaurants
Location Category Detail Price Adjusted Net Sales
Orange, Florida USA Italian Restaurant 114,900 120,399 555,708
Orange, Florida USA Pizza Shop 114,900 120,399 555,708
Orange, Florida USA Breakfast Lunch 140,000 118,366 229,417
Orange, Florida USA Pizza Shop 150,000 104,901 331,710
Miami-Dade, Florida USA Ethnic Restaurant 159,000 116,000 540,000
Footwear
Location Category Detail Price Adjusted Net Sales
Duval, Florida USA Shoes Repairs 139,000 124,915 198,350

 

500 plus business have been sold  in Florida thru Business Brokers of Florida YTD

Averages of 500 plus Businesses Sold in Florida thru 8/15/2012
Sales Sold Price Adjusted Net Adjusted Net/Sales Sell Price Multiple Down Pmt % Days To Sell
568,938 210,785 108,003 0.255 1.478 81.30% 225

The days it takes to sell a business “Days on Market”  Does not include all businesses that attempt to sell and dont.  Not all businesses that attempt to sell do result in that business being sold.  The average Selling Price of the 500 + businesses sold in Florida was about $201k. What is Your business worth?Notes on these above numbers: 

Florida Business For Sale | A Good Deal?

  • The average of businesses sold-  sold at about 1.5x the annual adjusted Net.
  • The above averages include businesses (less than 10%) are businesses that may include real estate in the Sold price
  • The average business earned (their Adjusted Net ) was about 25% of their Sales-  What is yours?

Every Business is different.  Looking to Sell your Business?  Do you consider your business “average”?   Looking to Buy a Florida Business?  Should you pay an “Above average”  Price for a Below Average Business?

Source of current information above Business Brokers of Florida

Topic: Florida Business For Sale