Here’s something you don’t usually hear a transaction advisory firm say: sometimes we can’t sell your business!
It’s not for lack of preparation. At Southard Financial, we go over every client’s business situation with a fine-toothed comb to accurately determine the value range of what their company is worth.
It’s not for lack of experience. In our case, we’ve been at this for over 30 years.
Bob had built a booming business before he died.
It was something he’d built from the ground up with blood, sweat, and tears. He had grown from a single truck with some tools into one of the area’s most reputable fine home builders, with multiple crews working all over the city.
He was the 100% owner, and had run the company solely for the benefit of his family’s lifestyle. Many wonderful memories with his wife and kids were made possible by the income his business generated.
Whatever your plans were for 2020, it’s a safe bet that COVID-19 changed them. Its physical and economic impact has been felt literally around the world, and it will continue to have a ripple effect on businesses for months and years to come.
Harry and David revolutionized the way things were done in their industry. When they came on the scene, no one had ever seen anything quite like the world they created. In their first year alone, they moved over a million units, received numerous awards, and were number one in their market.
Harry, however, could never seem to get what he was after…which is exactly the way David designed it. No matter how hard he tried to succeed, David made Harry’s life difficult at every turn. It almost seemed like David wanted him to die! In spite of their differences, however, they had a very profitable business relationship for nearly 30 years.
We recently posted an article about Estate Taxes and how the value of your company affects how much your heirs may have to pay. We pointed out the benefit of having your business properly valued so your heirs know exactly what to expect regarding the value of your estate. We also briefly touched on the idea of transferring portions of your company ownership during your lifetime in order to lessen future tax burdens.
In our previous post, we began a discussion on the impact your company’s employees can have on the value of your business. Whenever you decide to sell, you’ll want to understand the role your team plays in the final price you get.
Are you thinking of selling your company to an ESOP? Do you have an existing ESOP and need to explain the benefits to your employees? Or, do you have employees who have some vested interest in the future value of the company? In this post, we will discuss the ways in which your employees can impact the value of your company and ultimately the value of their investment in the company.
Before we talk about employees, let’s do a quick review of the basic components of value.
Most people intuitively know what a “community bank” is, even if it can be hard to define one financially. They are typically the smaller banks just down the street—locally owned, locally operated, and locally involved.
Community banks are the financial equivalent of the cozy diner that knows your order as soon as you walk in the door…a place where the teller you’ve known for years will greet you by your first name. Your kids may even play on the same little league team (sponsored by that very bank, of course). They are the bank where business is done based on relationships as much as a rule book.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information purposes only. Do not pass away thinking that this is all you need to know regarding gift and estate tax valuation. Contact your CPA or attorney for official advice before then.
Death and taxes are inevitable. They are also inseparable; when the first happens, you can be certain the second isn’t far behind.
When anyone passes away, there are always plenty of financial loose ends to tie up. However, for business owners, it can be absolutely overwhelming. That’s when you definitely want solid professionals on your side. Especially when you consider how much Estate Taxes can significantly affect property that you wish to transfer at your death.
Welcome to the first post in a 3-part series on How to Sell Your Business.
So, you’ve got a business that you want to sell and you want to get the best possible price for your business. How do you get that price? How do you know what your business is worth? You need a solid valuation!
