80 % of small businesses are projected to be sold within the next five years. What are you doing to plan your succession?
Though commercial real estate is considered "all business" with a no-frill marketing structure, it is monitored by similar laws and regulations as residential is. But we have found that treating the sale of a business with the same care, vision and game plan as you would a home for sale makes a world of difference on the seller's bottom line, the buyer's confidence, and getting the transaction across the finish line.
Far too many small business owners never ready themselves to maximize their business sales with a minimal amount of headaches. Your REALTOR® should be coaching you on how to prepare your business for sale before it ever hits the market.
As an Alberta licensed Commercial REALTOR® and Business Consultant I see far too many business sales falter unnecessarily. It is with this in mind that my team and I have prepared a 12 STEP GUIDE for Selling Your Business.
DECIDE WHY YOU'RE SELLING - Understand the reasons why you are selling as this will influence your approach, goals, urgency and timeline.
PREPARE YOUR BUSINESS FOR SALE - Ensure your Business structure is in order, and delegate responsibilities to make the business less dependent on you, because when you are gone the business should not fall apart. If you are too key in the business then a buyer will know this and know they can’t operate without you.Â
PURCHASERS & LENDERS WILL WANT TO SEE : 3 years of accountant-prepared financial statements. Take the time to get this in order as nothing can move forward without these.Â
HIRE PROFESSIONALS - The Three Horsemen of selling are: your Business Broker (Me), an Accountant, and a Lawyer. Bring them all into the conversation early so they are kept up to speed and ready for when an offer is made, especially for the Accountant, to avoid extra ‘rush’ charges and losing the deal.
DETERMINE THE VALUE of your business - Get a professional valuation to understand how much your business is worth. I can do that for you, but only when all information is available.
CREATE A LIST OF HARD & SOFT ASSETS - There is value in both. Hard Assets are tangible items like kitchen equipment, counters, tables and chairs. Soft Assets include goodwill, past client databases, social media presence, google reviews, etc. Make sure you give each item a net-present-value and account for depreciation for hard assets. Soft assets are flexible; be reasonable as this is hard to quantify.
‘FFE’ SERVICE RECORDS -  Make sure Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment service records are up to date and certification is current. Clean equipment and areas of business operations, floors, walls, office space, windows... make sure they present well for tours from buyers. Like selling a home, how things look and are maintained speak volumes and can make or break an offer.
ALWAYS ASK FOR A CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT - We will protect sensitive information when sharing details with potential buyers. All potential buyers will be run by you before information is shared and, in most cases, the name of the business is not identified in the marketing to save people from walking in and asking staff about the sale. (Not a cool thing to do to your people).
CREATE A SALES MEMORANDUM - As your Representing REALTOR® I will create documents that outline the business operations, financials, and potential in the most effective way possible.
CREATE A MARKETING PLAN - A marketing plan will be created using various channels to attract potential buyers, such as online listings, industry contacts, and other brokers. I am also the Alberta Manager for findbusinesses4sale.com where we highlight our own listings to gain maximum exposure for our subject properties. FB4S is powered by an AI engine that pushes listings forward and higher in rankings to appear in buyers’ browsers when they do a general search for anything remotely related to your business.  This gains maximum exposure, in addition to the  MLS® System.
QUALIFYING BUYERS - I will evaluate the seriousness and financial capability of potential buyers and their agents before bringing them forward.Â
NEGOTIATING TERMS - I will work with you and the buyer to agree on the terms of the sale, including price,  payment structure, closing date, training, non-compete clauses and several other issues.
Our greatest frustration is seeing dreams crushed when the solutions are so simple with proper preparation and attention to detail. I am always ready to help you prepare your business for sale and avoid unnecessary wait times, delays or failed transactions.
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Many people have asked me about "passive income" businesses. Something that does not require them to give up their day jobs, but have something on the side that provides a better-than-average return.
Look no further than Outright Entertainment! In operation since 2012, Outright Entertainment Inc. has performed over 1300 weddings and corporate events, averaging more than 100 events every over the last decade. With a stellar 2024, this upbeat small business has room to grow and can be operated remotely with your 5 contracted DJ's and top-notch equipment at the ready.
As "reputation is everything" in this business, CONTACT US to receive a non-disclosure agreement and to be interviewed by the current owner.
WELCOME to PJ's DINER in Strathmore, Alberta!
This could be the highest revenue-producing per sq/ft independent restaurant in Alberta, with 2024 breaking records!
Not only is it consistently lined up out the door for regular service, the kitchen is busy with multiple catering and off-site agreements in place. Highly skilled staff and a casual, relaxed atmosphere make this place, “THE PLACE" to go. It's a thriving business with room to grow!
CONTACT USÂ to receive a non-disclosure agreement and to be interviewed by the current owner.
For MORE INFORMATION on selling your business
or finding the perfect business to fulfill your big dreams
feel free to CONTACT USÂ at any time.
We want 2025 to bring you everything you've wished for and more.
Sincerely,
Grant & Colleen Kelba
KELBACORP Real Estate
C: 403-681-7831
Your big dreams and dream homes are in good hands with KELBACORP Real Estate.
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