Some owners are ready to sell. Others want to lift value before going to market. Here is how the two paths compare, and how to tell which one is yours.
The difference comes down to where you are today, and how much time you have.
Specific terms depend on your business and are agreed in writing before any work begins. No surprises.
Know your path? Start there. Not sure yet? A Value Boost Discovery shows you where you stand.
Wherever you start, you can move when the time is right.
I stay with you from the first conversation through closing, whether you build value first or sell now. And I'll give you a candid assessment of which path fits, even if that means waiting.
There is rarely an obvious place to talk candidly. For many owners, there is no natural setting to discuss timing, value, succession, or what the next chapter could look like. Those conversations often start years before a transaction.
A useful first conversation is not about forcing a decision. It is about understanding where you are, what options you have, and what would make the business stronger if you have time to act.
If you want or need to exit within about a year, selling now is usually right. If you have one to three years and want a stronger number, building value first almost always pays for itself. A Value Boost Discovery makes the call clear in about 90 minutes.
A confidential sale process typically runs 6 to 9 months. A build-value engagement usually runs 12 to 24 months, sometimes longer, depending on the gaps we find and how fast we close them.
Sell-side work is a success fee paid at close, so I'm paid when you are. Build Value is a modest retainer plus a success fee tied to the outcome. Specific terms depend on your business and are agreed in writing before any work begins.
Yes. Many owners start with Build Value and move into a sale once the business is ready. You keep the same advisor throughout, so nothing is relearned or handed off.
I work with California business owners across a range of sizes and industries. The best way to know if we're a fit is a short, candid first conversation. If I think waiting makes more sense than selling, I'll tell you that.
A straight conversation about where you are, and what makes sense next.