Selling a business takes at minimum several months – and that's if everything is already in order. Significant planning is involved: You will need to get your financials in order, figure out what your business is worth, evaluate the selling market, and decide whether to use a broker, determine tax liabilities and work with potential buyers.



If you've spent years building your business, made millions of dollars and want to enjoy retirement, you're probably in a good position to sell.

However, if you're burned out, running low on cash or simply bored, keep in mind that selling is not your only option. The Small Business Administration encourages business owners who want out to also consider the following alternatives: franchising, developing a partnership, merging with a similar company, going public, and absentee ownership or partial retirement.

Valuing your business is an arduous yet necessary task when you decide to sell. There isn't a single formula that can accurately determine the worth of your business. The best way to know your business valuation is to hire an appraiser, who can work through the technicalities of determining its value. But Chamberlain says this isn't necessary for many small businesses that have straightforward finances and business strategies.

Selling a business requires sales skills. Chamberlain says owners of small businesses should develop a business plan to sell to potential buyers. He calls this “your story," and it includes your business' financials, sales, the business plan, industry projections, recent improvements and other important aspects of your business. Have you had employees for 20 years? That's a great selling point. You may also need to explain why you want out if your business is a great investment. For example, Chamberlain says, you can tell a potential buyer that you think the business would thrive with a sales representative, but you couldn't afford one.

The great majority of businesses in the United States fall within the category of "Main Street Businesses". It is a dynamic sector, with much entrepreneurial activity and includes small businesses such as convenience stores, dry cleaners, gas stations, restaurants, service businesses, manufacturing and distribution firms. Each year, thousands of such businesses are bought and sold. For corporate buyers, acquiring an existing business may be the best way to get established in the US market. Individual buyers may seek to immigrate to the United States through the acquisition of a US business, as allowed by immigration laws.