Entries by Al Statz

Business Acquisition Financing: What Lenders Want

In 13 years of selling private businesses, financial leverage has been a consistent success factor for us in expanding the pool of buyers and closing deals. Fortunately for business owners, the Small Business Administration’s (SBA’s) loan guaranty program is an excellent funding source for deals up to about $5 million. Today’s interest rates are low, […]

Funding Your Buy-Sell Transactions

A properly structured Buy-Sell Agreement (BSA) ensures a market for owners’ equity when they leave the business, restricts the transfer of shares to unwanted parties, and lays out a set of rules and processes that mitigate the overall risk of uncertainty when a trigger event occurs. However, without having adequate funding mechanism(s) in place, a […]

Court Chastens Expert Over Deficient Business Valuation

Sometimes courts face a hard choice, having to decide between equally compelling and competent valuations. Not so in a recent fair value proceeding in which the skills gap between the testifying experts made it easy for the court to pick the winner. Use of the Valuation: Business Divorce The petitioner and the respondent were the […]

The Dismal D’s of Buy-Sell Agreements

Well-written Buy-Sell Agreements (BSA’s) enable orderly share transfers upon the occurrence of certain events during the life of a business. Buy-Sell Agreements also prevent litigation that can quickly create a lose-lose situation for business owners. This article presents a list of 27 trigger events and common issues to be addressed in Buy-Sell Agreements. And, just […]

Sonoma County Backroad Challenge, May 16, 2015

The 2015 Sonoma County Backroad Challenge century ride will take place on May 16th in Petaluma, California. Cyclists of all levels enjoy spectacular Sonoma County scenery on one of three fully-supported rides (100 miles, 100 Km and 50 Km) ranging from leisurely to grueling. The acclaimed Backroad Fest takes place after the ride, with local cuisine, cold brews, live music, […]

Upcoming Event: Valuing a Business for Estate Purposes

Society of California Accountants North Bay Chapter Annual Estate & Trust Update At the Sheraton Sonoma County Click here for enrollment information.   My background as a business valuation expert, M&A advisor, corporate development executive and business owner allows me to bring a wealth of knowledge and first-hand experience to closely held and family business owners as they consider their […]

Ingredients of a Successful Business Sale

Going to market when you and your business are ready to sell and market conditions are right provides the best opportunity to maximize results. Let’s look at how these three ingredients combine: You, the Owner The Business itself The Market Having these ingredients come together at the same time requires planning. You can prepare personally and you can prepare […]