Exit Planning

The best-case scenario rarely just happens. At Starwood Business Group, we help our clients prepare for that moment – whether they intend to transfer ownership to a talented management team, or sell to an outside buyer for maximum value.

Your SBG business broker will encourage you to understand all of your available exit planning options in light of your post-exit goals. We’ll encourage you to anticipate foreseeable challenges – anything that might impact a successful exit or hinder your decision-making process. Once you’ve got your exit strategy in clear view, you’re likely to become a better owner. It’s the difference between passive & active ownership. It’s the definition of managing opportunities with intent, and it’s what makes us Starwood Business Group. 

Don’t have a plan yet? It’s your time.

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At Starwood Business Group we are acutely aware of what it takes to sell your Atlanta business. Preparing the seller, and aiding the seller in preparing the business to achieve the maximum gain from the sale, are two important roles of the professional business broker. Owners sell their businesses for reasons stemming from retirement, partnership disputes, personal relocation, family concerns, the desire for change, illness, or to enter another business venture.

Knowing the reason for the divestiture aids your SBG broker in structuring the most advantageous transaction. Starwood Business Group in Atlanta turns to its professional alliances to help you seek the appropriate tax strategy, succession plan, or investment strategy to again help you maximize the benefit of the sale.  

SBG has identified specifics needed in order to aid a successful transaction:

Having provable books and records increases the numbers of potential buyers

Buyers want proof of sales and profits the business has attained in the past
 

Expectation of a reasonable price and terms
Educated buyers only consider competitively priced businesses
 

List of assets including furniture, fixtures, and equipment
A complete inventory that can be referenced during inspection
 

Attractive lease
Knowing the terms of assignment or of a new lease
 

Best possible appearance

Having the business premises neat, clean and in good repair 
 

Valuing the business properly
A valuation on the business creates a document that proves value to the buyer and shows the business to be competitively priced
 

Covenant not to compete
Preparing the terms of non-competition within an appropriate distance and for a reasonable period of time
 

Reason for sale

Buyers will want to understand the reason for sale and be comfortable that there is not undisclosed information that could negatively affect their investment in the future
 

Time is of the essence
When you do list your business, be prepared to move forward when a qualified buyer shows interest in the business
 

No surprises!
Most adverse situations, such as landlord problems, outstanding loans, tax arrears, unfavorable equipment leases, and even non-compliance with zoning, health or other regulations, health or other regulations, can be overcome if known by your professional SBG business broker.