GUIDE
Selling a small business
Small does not mean simple. The owner is often the product, the books, and the landlord relationship.
The owner is usually inside the number
In a small company the owner may be the top salesperson, the person who knows the passwords, and the name on the lease. A buyer who cannot replace that role will not pay as if a manager already runs it.
Say that plainly in the first conversation. Hiding it does not raise the price. It shortens the time a serious buyer stays interested.
Preparation is the part you control
A year of consistent statements, a list of what you do each week, and a lease you have actually read are more useful than a slogan about legacy. The preparing-for-sale guide covers that list.
Preparation is what you can do before anyone talks about a fee or a buyer list.
Questions
Is a small business harder to sell?
It is different. The buyer is often an operator, and the owner's daily role is part of the diligence.
Can I sell without telling employees yet?
You can look at a range and prepare without a public announcement. Who you tell, and when, is your decision.