Buying or Selling a Small Business – What’s it Worth?

When you begin to plan for retirement as a small business owner, understanding your business’s worth can be a stressful and complex process.  In the world of Mergers and Acquisitions a set of processes exists that high-paid attorneys and venture capital firms use.  We will cover some rules of thumb that you can apply to evaluate your small businesses to get an understanding of what a buyer may pay to take over your business.  Three general types of valuations will be coved, income-based, asset-based and lastly market-based. Each is appropriate under different circumstances. 

About the Presenters:  

Colleen has a decade of experience in the world of commercial real estate and business sales as a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM). Colleen ran the Washington Business Alliance in Seattle where she led the organization to influence the state’s processes by applying business principles: A strategic plan with metrics and clearly defined goals. Colleen is entering her third term as an elected Commissioner at the Port of Port Angeles. She previously served as the Port’s Director of Business Development and Real Estate. Colleen owned and operated a successful commercial real estate brokerage firm in Clallam County for ten years. She is also a decorated combat veteran who served nearly 10 years in the Army as a helicopter and fixed wing pilot and as a military intelligence officer.

Mike has been a Certified Business Advisor with the SBDC for 2 year and has over 20 years of experience in accounting and where he has prepared financial projections to help assess the feasibility and profitability of various projects and businesses.  He also taught and helped prepare annual budgets.  Mike has a Master’s of Arts in Educational Ministries degree from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO, and a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Edgewood College in Madison, WI.  Mike enjoys helping take complex issues and concepts and making them understandable for people regardless of their experience or background.  He is passionate about helping rural communities achieve economic stability through the promotion and development of small businesses.