The Exit Intel Report
Everything a business owner needs before selling — in the order you actually need it. Five chapters, drawn from real transaction data and 38 in-depth guides. No email required to read it.
Know Your Number
Before you talk to a broker or a buyer, know what your business is actually worth — and why. Most owners either wildly overestimate (based on what a friend's business sold for) or underestimate (by ignoring add-backs they're entitled to).
SDE vs. EBITDA, multiples by industry, and what actually moves the number up or down.
See your number the way a lender will — Seller SDE and the Lender-Adjusted EBITDA, side by side. Free tool.
67 industries, 8 value-driver questions, and a conservative/typical/premium range in 2 minutes.
The specific, actionable levers that move your multiple — not vague advice about "growing the business."
Close the Gaps Buyers Will Find
Every buyer's diligence team is trained to find the same handful of red flags. Fix these before you go to market and you negotiate from strength instead of playing defense during diligence.
Free 14-question quiz — score your business 0–100 on the factors that matter most, with your top 3 priorities ranked.
Why "the business can't run without me" is the single biggest multiple-killer, and how to fix it.
Why contracted, recurring revenue commands a premium multiple — and how to convert project work into it.
A month-by-month checklist for the year before you list — financials, operations, legal, and broker selection.
Everything buyers will request — financial, legal, HR, operations — organized so you can prepare in advance.
Choose the Right Advisor
Brokered sales close at meaningfully higher prices and completion rates than unrepresented ones — but the wrong broker costs you months and leverage. Know what to look for before you sign an exclusive agreement.
What business brokers do, how they're paid, and when you need one vs. when you don't.
Commission rates by deal size, the Lehman formula, retainers, and how to evaluate whether the fee is worth it.
Where to search, what credentials to check, 10 red flags, and the questions to ask before signing.
Deal size ranges, fees, buyer types, and process compared — know which advisor fits your transaction.
Honest FSBO analysis: the math, the risks, and a step-by-step checklist if you go it alone.
Generate the questions to ask, then score and compare up to 3 brokers side-by-side — including any you found on your own.
Free. Brokers can't pay to be your match — ranked on industry fit, deal size, and track record only.
Structure the Deal — and Keep More of It
How a deal is structured often matters more than the headline price. Asset vs. stock sale, earnout terms, seller-note position, and entity type can each swing what you actually keep by six figures or more.
Tax implications, liability differences, and how to negotiate deal structure in your favor.
When earnouts make sense, how buyers use them, and which provisions protect sellers.
Capital gains, installment sales, and QSBS/Section 1202 — updated for the 2025 OBBBA changes to exclusion caps and holding periods.
How SBA 7(a) financing works in business sales and what your business needs to qualify.
Check your planned deal structure — especially seller-note terms — against the 2025 SOP 50 10 8 rules before you agree to anything.
Know Your Market
Broker density, buyer activity, and even tax treatment vary a lot by state and industry. A generalist broker in a hot PE roll-up category will underperform a specialist every time.
Browse business brokers across all 50 states, filterable by state and searchable by name or company.
281+ brokers. Home services PE roll-up activity in DFW and Houston.
972+ brokers — the most of any state. No state income tax, international buyer market.
447+ brokers. Highest capital gains rate in the country, competitive buyer pools.
Advisors with PE roll-up relationships and service-contract valuation expertise.
The full library — every industry and state guide in one place.
This report is for planning purposes only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Tax law changes (including the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act provisions referenced above) are complex and fact-specific — confirm current rules with a qualified CPA and M&A attorney before making any decisions based on this content.
Ready to see where you stand?
Get your 0–100 Exit Readiness Score, then get matched with brokers who specialize in your industry and deal size.