Getting Your Business Ready for Sale in Bristol
A buyer isn't just buying your profits. They're buying a business that works without you.
- ✓You're thinking about selling in the next few years
- ✓Everything still runs through you
- ✓You're not sure what a buyer would really see
- ✓You want the best price, and a smooth handover
That's exactly what I help business owners get ready for.
Book a free call with me, or take the free assessment to find out if your business could run without you.
Is your business ready to sell?
Most owners are too close to their business to see what a buyer will see.
I work with a lot of business owners who are thinking about selling. Most of them have one thing in common. They can't see their business the way a buyer will.
If everything runs through you, the value drops. Sometimes the deal falls through altogether.
Most owners start preparing too late. Ideally you want two to three years to get your business in shape. That gives you time to fix the gaps, grow profits and show a strong track record.
And that is where I come in!
What buyers look for
- ✓Steady, growing profits
- ✓A business that runs without the owner
- ✓A strong management team
- ✓Clear systems and processes
- ✓Clean, reliable financial records
- ✓A good spread of customers, not just one or two big ones
How I help you prepare your business for sale
Every business and every exit is different, so we start with what you want from the sale.
Most of my clients work on some (or all) of these:
Your exit plan
What you want from the sale, your timescale and life afterwards.
Your options
Trade sale, management buyout (MBO), Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) or private equity.
Increasing profits
So your business is worth more to a buyer.
Reducing owner dependency
So your business runs smoothly without you.
A strong management team
People who can lead after you step back.
Systems and processes
Clear, written down and easy to hand over.
Tidying up the numbers
Clean accounts and reliable forecasts that stand up to scrutiny.
Succession planning
Keeping key people and customers on board through the change.
Jo is a credit to business coaching. With her passion, commitment and vast experience we were able to understand and implement effectively what was needed to improve our business and make it more profitable.
Stuart Salmon
Managing Director, TR Services
Not sure where to start? That's what the free call is for.
Business exit coaching for Bristol owners
- ✓I'm based in Bristol and work with owners across the South West, the UK and worldwide on Zoom
- ✓I work alongside your accountant, solicitor and business broker. I don't replace them
- ✓My role is to get you and your business ready, so the experts have something strong to work with
How long does it take to get a business ready for sale?
Ideally one to three years, depending on how much the business relies on you. That gives you time to grow profits, strengthen your team and show a steady track record.
If you're selling sooner, we can still make a real difference. We just focus on the changes that matter most to a buyer.
What makes a business more attractive to buyers?
Steady, growing profits. A business that runs without the owner. A strong management team. Clear systems and processes. Clean, reliable financial records. And a good spread of customers, not just one or two big ones.
What if my business relies on me too much?
This is the most common issue I see. It's also one of the biggest things that lowers a sale price. We'll work out what only you are doing, then build the people and systems to take it on. Step by step, you make yourself less essential.
What are my options for selling my business?
The main routes are:
- ✓Trade sale - selling to another business
- ✓Management buyout (MBO) - selling to your existing managers
- ✓Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) - selling to your employees through a trust
- ✓Private equity - selling all or part of the business to investors
Each has pros and cons. I'll help you work out which fits your goals, your team and your timescale.
Do you replace my accountant or solicitor?
No. You'll still need them for valuations, tax and the legal side. My role is to get you and your business ready, so they have something strong to work with. I'm happy to work alongside them.
Do you only work with businesses in Bristol?
No. I'm based in Bristol and also see clients in Somerset. I work with business owners across the UK and worldwide on Zoom too.
How do I get started?
Book a free call. We'll look at where your business is now, what you want from a sale, and what needs to happen to get there.
Not planning to sell just yet? See how business coaching helps you build a business that works without you.