“My wife wrote a thesis in the early 90s when she got her Master’s at Duke. So now I need one, too?”  Perry (not his real name) was 53 years old and ready to sell his company. He had built his business over 20 years to be worth close to $40 million. He loved going to work every day, but recent private equity consolidation in his industry got him thinking 2024 was the right year to exit. Perry and I did a Read More

“What does my growth plan have to do with it, Jim? I’m making a million bucks a year, who wouldn’t want to buy my company?” Nathan (not his real name) was rather annoyed at me. He had called me about selling his company. We discussed valuation, potential buyers, how the process would work, and what he might do to enhance the value of his company. It was the last part that he didn’t like. A friend had told Nathan his Read More

“I’m tired of my corporate job at ______, I want to be an entrepreneur, be my own boss, how do I buy a business?” I hear this question about once a week, at least. The ensuing conversation often feels more like a counseling session than a business conversation. In most cases, the individual doesn't really want to be an entrepreneur; they are unhappy with their job and just want to fantasize about doing something Read More

“We’ve been granted legal custody of my daughter’s two children, and we’re about to move them here from Chattanooga. I’ve got to sell my company because my wife can’t handle this on her own.” Bart (not his real name) is one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met. I could tell he had a heart of gold to do the right thing for his two grandchildren. He told me the circumstances leading to his decision to take full time Read More

 Mark (not his real name) was making so much money it was almost silly. “Can you believe this?” he said to me a few weeks ago. “Last year I made $800,000, this year it’s bound to be over $1 million. Seems like a great time to sell!”  Mark’s ability to make money is no laughing matter. He has been building his company for six years, but the last two years he has really hit his stride. But Mark is tired. Working 10 to Read More

“What does my growth plan have to do with it, Jim? I’m making a million bucks a year, who wouldn’t want to buy my company?” Nathan (not his real name) was rather annoyed at me. He had called me about selling his Nashville company. We discussed valuation, potential buyers, how the process would work, and what he might do to enhance the value of his company.  It was the last part that he didn’t like. It seems somebody Read More

My Dad spent the last two years of his life attached to a dialysis machine for four hours three times a week. He literally could not live without it. Some business owners face the same dilemma. Cindy (not her real name) has a good thing going. Her business is growing at a steady pace, and she’s been able to pocket around $750,000 a year the past several years. We sat down recently to discuss her interest in selling. Read More