As a business owner, selling your small business can easily be the largest transaction you’ll ever have. Who you sell your business to and what the terms of the deal are can greatly affect what you receive in the end when all is said and done.
Let’s take a look at a business owner who is contemplating two different offers. Offer A is from a strategic buyer who wants the owner to stay on for a few years with an earnout structure in place, which will get the owner to a final selling price around $6 million. Offer B is from an entrepreneur who is offering $4.5 million in cash for the whole kit and caboodle—business, client list, assets, etc. The owner could walk away next week with $4.5 million in the bank and never have to work in his business again.
So, which one is the better deal? Like so many things in finance, the answer is, “it depends.”
First, just because a business owner has two offers for selling his business, doesn’t mean they’re two good offers. If the sale of the business generates multiple offers, it is best to research all offers and not jump at the first bid. A business valuation will help the business owner know what the business is worth and what a serious prospective buyer might be willing to pay for it.
Next, a business owner needs to consider what his own circumstances are. Does he need an immediate out because of health issues? Does he want the cash to invest in another business venture? Will this $4.5 million be enough for his retirement lifestyle once all other obligations are paid? If the answer is “yes” to any of these, a lower cash offer might be a good option.
On the other hand, a higher sale price with an earnout can also be structured to benefit both the seller and buyer. An earnout is where the business owner must earn a portion of the purchase price based on the performance of the business following the sale. Usually the business owner continues working under the new owner for a period of years. The earnout payments are often tied to how the business performs in the future. This can be good for the seller, as he can play a role in keeping the business going, keeping clients and vendor relationships intact, and making the transition smooth for all parties. The buyer gets the benefit of having an experienced executive to run daily operations. Furthermore, as the seller may be able to structure the earnout different ways, by participating in the upside growth, e.g., as the company grows and profits, earnout payments grow in step with the company. Or, the seller can set a floor, e.g., receiving no less than $200,000 per year, regardless of company performance.
Of course, earnouts come with risk. The buyer may run the business differently, which could affect the loyalty of customers or employees. There could also be factors that the new owner cannot control like a recession that affects profits across the entire industry.
Finally, the business owner should consider the time value of money. If his wealth is tied up in the business, he may carry the risk of lack of diversification. If an all-cash offer could be invested in a diversified portfolio of stocks over several years, the owner could be earning returns in the market that could equal what he receives in an earnout over the same time. If the threat of recession were to happen, a diversified portfolio may be better able to weather the storm than a single business could.
Finally, all business owners need to realize that all cash offers are rare. They assume the buyer has the cash or bank financing, which is often not the case for many small-business transactions. Sale offers come in many forms, and a Certified Exit Planning Adviser can help business owners look at the risks as well as the end results of the sale. If you have questions on selling your business, the experts at Henssler Financial will be glad to help:
- Experts Request Form
- Email: experts@henssler.com
- Phone: 770-429-9166
This article is for demonstrative and academic purposes and is meant to provide valuable background information on particular investments, NOT a recommendation to buy. The investments referenced within this article may currently be traded by Henssler Financial. All material presented is compiled from sources believed to be reliable and current, but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The contents are intended for general information purposes only. Information provided should not be the sole basis in making any decisions and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified professional, such as a tax consultant, insurance adviser or attorney. Although this material is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with respect to the subject matter, it may not apply in all situations. Readers are urged to consult with their adviser concerning specific situations and questions. This is not to be construed as an offer to buy or sell any financial instruments. It is not our intention to state, indicate or imply in any manner that current or past results are indicative of future profitability or expectations. As with all investments, there are associated inherent risks. Please obtain and review all financial material carefully before investing. Henssler is not licensed to offer or sell insurance products, and this overview is not to be construed as an offer to purchase any insurance products.
