Randy (not his real name) was about to make a life-altering decision. He had a need, and he wanted to fulfill it. The long term consequences were of less concern than getting what he wanted, right now. He called me, I suppose, wanting me to tell him it was a good idea. But with years of experience advising men and women in this situation, all I could do was tell Randy the truth from my heart. “Bringing in a minority Read More
Key Question When Raising Equity: “If This, Then What?”
“I need $1,500,000 to open a new distribution center in North Carolina. It's a home run idea, but how much equity will I have to give up to raise that much?” Johnny (not his real name) and I have been good friends for seven years. We see each other socially several times a year, and once every 5 or 6 months we sit down to a serious conversation about his growing and vibrant medical supply business. “If I ever sell Read More
The Downside of Low Interest Rates
“I’m looking to buy a business, but I'm having the devil of a time doing it. Can you help?” Frank (not his real name) sold his profitable medical supply company three years ago, and is eager to get back to creating value through business ownership. He doesn’t have to work, the money he put in the bank after the sale of his company provides more than enough to take care of his family. But just 42-years old, Frank said Read More
A Funeral, Fried Chicken and Valuable Lesson
Little did I know I'd learn something at a funeral to help me appreciate an important lesson regarding the successful sale of a professional services business. I had returned to Orlando, where I spent the first half of my business career, to attend the funeral of a dear family member. After the funeral, the church hosted a covered dish dinner for family and friends. While going through the food line, I bumped into Read More
Are You Guilty of The Wimpy Effect?
“I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.” If you are 60 or older, you probably recognize that comment frequently spoken by J. Wellington Wimpy. This character from the Popeye cartoon series seemed to be a successful businessman (after all, he wore a suit and tie). But curiously, Wimpy never had money in his pocket to buy his favorite lunch. He seemed to always be saying “you can trust me, I’ll have it in Read More
Earn Your Way to a Better Exit
When Mayor Johnson (not his real name or title) asked me to meet, I assumed he wanted me to sponsor a table at his next fundraiser. He ushered me into his office, and after looking at pictures on the wall of him with nationally prominent politicians, he got to the point. “I’m not here to talk politics, Jim, I want to talk about selling my business. I know you can help me.” Mayor Johnson has lived in his community Read More
It’s Worth Pennies and You Expected Dollars
“I’m glad I’m not a doctor, I hate delivering bad news.” I said this to Larry (not his real name) as we met to discuss his interest in selling his business. I was about to deliver some bad news. Larry had been in the business for 15 years. Though it was technically owned by his father, Larry was the main man in making things happen. But when it came time to make a decision about the future of the business, well, Read More
The Danger of an LOI
“Let's have a celebration dinner, I want to thank the team for getting us here.” Hugh (not his real name) was rightfully excited. He had just signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to sell his company for enough cash to take care of his children's children. But I put a stop to the idea of celebrating too soon. I said, “Hugh, signing the LOI is great, and I know it’s taken you a long time to get to this point, but the next Read More
How Can You Know Your Company’s Value?
“Cumbee, you don’t know what the heck you’re talking about, my company is worth way more than you're telling me.” Mike (not his real name) was about to tell me what to do with the valuation I prepared for his company, and he used a word other than heck. I could appreciate his frustration. Starting his company during the ‘08-’09 recession, Mike had done everything right to build his business to $9 million a year. He Read More
