Partnership agreements are essential business documents, the importance of which is difficult to overstate.  No matter whether your business partner is essentially a stranger or a lifelong friend, it is prudent to have a written partnership agreement.

A good partnership agreement clearly outlines all rights and responsibilities and serves as an essential tool for dealing with fights, disagreements and unforeseen problems.  With the right documentation, you can identify and eliminate a wide range of potential headaches and problems before your business even starts.

Determining the Share of Profits, Regular Draw, Contributing Cash and More

Partnership agreements will also outline the share of profits that each partner takes.  Other important issues that a partnership agreement should address is determining whether or not each partner gets a regular draw.  Invest considerable time to the part of the partnership agreement that outlines how money is to be distributed, as this is an area where a lot of conflict occurs.

The issue of who is contributing cash and services in order to get the business operational should also be addressed in the partnership agreement.  Likewise, the percentage that each partner receives should be clearly indicated.

Partnership Agreements Outline and Prevent Potential Problem Areas

Another area of frequent problems is in the realm of who makes business decisions.  Here are just a few of the types of questions that must be answered:

• Are business decisions made by a unanimous vote or a majority vote?
• What must take place in order to consider new partners?
• Who will be handling managerial work?
• How will the business continue and what changes will occur in the event of a death?
• At what stage would you have to go to court if a conflict cannot be resolved within the framework of your partnership agreement?

You might just want to get your business running as soon as possible, but not addressing these issues in the beginning could spell disaster down the road.

The Uniform Partnership Act

One option to consider, which is offered in all states except Louisiana, is the Uniform Partnership Act or UPA.  The UPA covers all the legal regulations that specifically apply to partnerships.

Reduce Conflict Via a Partnership Agreement

Forming a partnership can be great way to launch a new business, but it is also important to keep in mind that no matter how exciting the process may be it is still a business.  New businesses face an array of challenges, and the last thing any new business needs is internal disruption.  Mapping out via a partnership agreement the duties and expectations of all partners is an easy and logical way to reduce internal conflict within the business so that you can stay focused on building the business and making money!

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When the day comes to sell your business, it is important that prospective buyers understand why you have made this decision.  Having a valid reason why it is time for you to sell can make your business more attractive to prospective buyers.  After all, it is only natural that you will have to retire at some point even if the business is thriving.  In fact, it is safe to state that buying a successful business from an owner that is retiring is just the kind of the situation that most buyers like

Owning a business and retirement, of course, is far different than retiring from a job. You likely have many friends ranging from vendors and employees to customers, clients and other business owners.  It is vital that your departure does not disrupt the operation of your business and that prospective buyers understand that you have taken steps to ensure a smooth transition.  In short, you want to create a situation in which everyone is happy once you have sold your business.

Helping to ensure a smooth transition has many parts.  One of those parts is finding a buyer who will treat your people well. Another key aspect of a smooth transition is to automate as much of your work as possible before you leave.  No one knows your business as well as you do, which means that you are the best source to automate and simplify the processes of your business.  Outlining what steps you’ve taken to automate and simplify your business will help make it more attractive to buyers.

A key aspect of streamlining, simplifying and organizing your business is to pick out, well in advance, your second in command.  Once you have decided on which person would be the best candidate, it is important that you begin grooming that person so they can take over day-to-day operations once you leave.  Having a capable person who is committed to staying is a very attractive commodity for prospective buyers. A capable second in command can prove invaluable not just during the transition period but also for the long term operation of the business.

Finally, you should have set up a retirement account on which you can draw upon.  Statistics indicate that roughly 50% of business owners do not have a retirement account set up in advance.  If you don’t have an account set up, don’t panic, instead set one up as soon as possible.
Working with a business broker is one of the single best ways to handle the process of selling your business and getting ready for retirement.  

A business broker can help you with everything from finding qualified prospective buyers to establishing the value of your business.  The sooner you begin working with a business broker, the easier your transition will be.

Copyright: Business Brokerage Press, Inc.

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At first glance the idea of buying a business with no collateral may seem impossible, but in reality it can be done.  Let’s examine your options.  When it comes to achieving this goal, your greatest assets are an open mind and a commitment to hanging in there despite the odds.

The Small Business Association’s 7 (a) Program is Your Friend

One possible avenue for buying a business with zero collateral is to opt for the SBA’s 7 (a) program, which works to incentivize the bank to make a loan to a prospective buyer.  Under this program, the SBA guarantees 75%.  The buyer still has to put in 25%; however, this money doesn’t necessarily have to be his or her money.  This is where things really get interesting.  The cash that the buyer uses can come from investors or even be a gift from parents in the case of young buyers.  These possibilities all fall within the SBA’s guidelines.

Look into Seller Financing, You Might Be Surprised

There is a second way to buy a business with no collateral, and that comes in the form of finding a seller who is willing to finance.  Again, this might seem counter intuitive at first glance.  But the facts are that a large percentage of sellers do agree to offer some level of financing.  So in other words, seller financing is not unheard of and stands as a viable way for a prospective buyer to buy without collateral.

Combining Seller Financing and the SBA’s 7 (a) Program

Combining the SBA’s 7 (a) program with seller financing can prove to be a powerful combination.  It is important to note, however, that if you do use the SBA’s 7 (a) program the seller cannot receive his or her repayment for two years.

Persistence Pays

Ultimately, you will likely need to be rather persistent when trying to find a bank.  Rejection is likely.  But if you are persistent, it is possible to make the SBA’s 7 (a) program work for you.

One key way to keep yourself motivated is to constantly remember that jumping through some hurdles is all part of the process since you’re trying to circumvent the traditional route of using collateral.  But working relentlessly may be worth it because if you are successful, you have acquired a tangible asset without any collateral of your own.  That is no small accomplishment.

Don’t be afraid to ask for advice from S.C.O.R.E., the Small Business Administration (SBA), or an experienced business broker.  While it might sound very unlikely that you’ll be able to buy a business without collateral, plenty of people have successfully done so.

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While being a business owner may in the end not be for everyone, there is no denying the great rewards that come to business owners.  So should you buy a business of your own?  Let’s take a moment and outline the diverse benefits of owning a business and help you decide whether or not this path is right for you.

Do You Want More Control?

A key reason that so many business savvy people opt for owning a business is that it offers a high level of control.  In particular, business owners are in control of their own destiny.  If you have ever wished that you had more control over your life and decisions, then owning a business or franchise may be for you.

Owning a business allows you to chart your own course.  You can hire employees to reduce your workload once the business is successful and, in the process, free up time to spend doing whatever you like.  This is something that you can never hope to achieve working for someone else; after all, you can’t outsource a job.

Keep in mind that when you own a business or franchise, you never have to worry about being downsized or having your job outsourced.  You also don’t have to worry about asking for a raise.  No doubt business owners do have to contend with market forces and unexpected turns.  But even considering those factors, business owners clearly enjoy a greater level of control over their destiny.

Are You Willing to Forgo Benefits?

As an employee, you’ll usually be able to count on a regular income and even allowances for sick days and vacation days.  However, business owners lose money if they are sick or take a vacation.  Plus, they won’t necessary have the steady salary that employees receive as they could see their income vary from one month to the next.

Do You Want to Grow Your Income?

Business owners have the potential to grow their income and take a range of proactive steps that lead to income growth.  As an employee, your fate is far different.  Employees usually exercise either minimal or no control over the course of a business and have no say in key decisions that impact its growth and stability.  Being a business owner by contrast allows you to seize that control.

The amount of income made by business owners varies widely depending on everything from the industry to the region.  But statistics show that the longer you own your business the more you’ll make.  In fact, those who have owned their businesses for greater than 10 years tend to earn upwards of 6 figures per year.

One of the best ways to determine whether or not being a business owner is right for you is to work with a business broker.  A broker understands everything that goes into owning a business and can help you determine whether or not you have the mindset to set out on the path towards business ownership.

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Before you jump in and buy any business, you’ll want to do your due diligence.  Buying a business is no time to make assumptions or simply wing it.  The only prudent course is to carefully investigate any business before buying, as the consequences of not doing so can in fact be rather dire.  Let’s take a quick look at the three top overlooked areas to investigate before signing on the dotted line and buying a business.

1. Retirement Plans

Many buyers forget all about retirement plans when investigating a business prior to purchase.  However, a failure to examine what regulations have been put into place could spell out disaster.  For this reason, you’ll want to make certain that the business’s qualified and non-qualified retirement plans are up to date with the Department of Labor.  There can be many surprises when you buy a business, but this is one you want to avoid.

2. 1099’s and W-2’s

Just as many prospective buyers fail to investigate the retirement plan of a business, the same is often true concerning 1099’s and W-2’s.  In short, you’ll want to be sure that if 1099’s have been given out instead of W-2’s that it has been always done within existing IRS parameters.  There is no reason to buy a business only to discover a headache with the IRS.

And speaking of employees, does the business you are interested in buying have employee handbooks?  If so, you’ll want to make sure you review it carefully.

3. All Legal Documents

The simple fact is that you never want the business you are interested in buying to have its corporate veil pierced once you take over.  You should carefully review all trademarks, copyrights and other areas of intellectual property to be sure that everything is completely in order.  You’ll want to obtain copies of all consulting agreements, documents involving inventions as well as intellectual property assignments.

Everything should be protected and on legally sound footing.  If you see any problems in this category you should run for the hills and find another business to buy.

Protect Yourself from a Potential Lifetime of Regret

Evaluating overlooked areas is essential in protecting your investment.  For most people, the purchase of a business is the largest of his or her lifetime.  It leaves little room for error.

Not only is it vital to investigate the major areas, but it is also essential to explore the smaller details.  However, the truth of the matter is that when you’re buying a business there are no “small details.”  No one realizes this fact more so than business brokers.  Business brokers are experts in what it takes to buy and sell businesses.  Working with a business broker is a significant move in the right direction.  The time you invest in properly exploring and evaluating a business is time well spent and may literally save you from a lifetime of regret.

Copyright: Business Brokerage Press, Inc.

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A common mistake that many make when preparing to buy or sell a business is to overlook all the various legal issues involved.  A legal mistake can bring the entire process to a screeching halt or even worse case cost you a small fortune.  For this reason, it is important to carefully evaluate the full slate of relevant legalities.  This article will explore some of the key legal points one need to consider long before placing your business on the market.

Mistake #1 Neglecting to Have a Non-Disclosue Agreement

Having potential buyers sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement, or NDA, is critically important when selling your business.  One benefit to having this agreement signed and sealed is that in the event that the deal falls through, which often happens, the buyer can’t disclose the details to other parties.  However, if you don’t have an NDA, the buyer could reveal important aspects of your discussions.  This could impact any future sales.

Mistake #2 Failing to Get an Experienced Attorney

There are times to cut corners, and then there are times when cutting corners or trying to save a dollar is a big mistake.  Prepping to sell your business is one of those occasions where investing in good and proven counsel is a must.  A good attorney can give you a range of legal moves you should and should not make.

Additionally, hiring an attorney with an established experience is just what you need to create ironclad agreements.  Sellers have an array of risks that they must face when selling a business.  For example, the seller needs protection from a potential buyer hiring away key employees.  Without ironclad agreements and a tight NDA, a buyer could pass on buying the business, yet “steal” employees or weaken business in other ways.

Mistake #3 Skipping the Letter of Intent

Another legal way to protect your interests comes in the form of a letter of intent.  This letter should be one of your key tools in negotiating the deal.  Included in this letter should be a termination fee for the buyer.  This applies in the event that the buyer walks away for a reason that is not the seller’s fault.  Inclusion of this clause means that the seller is far less impacted if the deal does not go through as planned.  Further, this clause goes a long way in ensuring that only serious buyers are attracted.

Reap the Benefits of Ample Preparation

These are just a few of the many errors that sellers often make and regret later on.  It is a worthwhile investment to take the legal aspects of selling your business seriously.  If you prepare for the sale of your business, you will have a much more successful experience.  That means you should work with a proven and competent attorney and business broker before you put your business on the market.

Copyright: Business Brokerage Press, Inc.

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Letting go of a business isn’t a process that one should jump into lightly, and that fact holds true even when it comes to your loved ones.  Let’s take a look at five of the most important factors to consider when selling or transferring a business to a family member.

#1 The All-Important Buy-Sell Agreement

One of the single most valuable tools available when it comes to selling your business is a buy-sell agreement.  Simply stated, this essential document puts everything in writing.  In situations such as a family owned business, people may be tempted to skip a contract, but that doesn’t mean they should.

When transferring your business, you should have an expert created document in place that outlines the following:

• The business valuation
• Who is to be kept on the payroll and the amount he or she will receive
• The amount being paid
• What level of involvement you will have in the business once the transfer has taken place

#2 The Benefits of Gifting

Consider the option of gifting.  Gifting can actually work to reduce your taxes on real estate, while at the same time it can allow you to maintain some level of control over the business.

#3 Seller Financing and Transferring the Family Business

Selling your business to a family member is, of course, another option.  On occasion, sellers will consider a private annuity, which allows for payments to be spread out for a considerable time period, such as to the end of your life.

#4 The Self-Canceling Installment Note

Another option is to use an installment sale.  If you are a selling parent and you happen to pass away before the payments have all been made for the sale, then the remaining debt may be attached to your will.  This arrangement can keep your other children from paying excess income tax on your estate.

#5 Keep the IRS Happy

The fact of the matter is that the IRS does, in fact, look more closely into sales where the business is being sold to a family member.  This reason alone is a good enough reason to professionally establish a real and accurate valuation of your business.

A business broker can help you work out the particulars as to how best to proceed when navigating the process of selling or transferring your business to a relative.  With the right planning and preparation, selling or transferring your business to a relative doesn’t have to be an overly difficult or cumbersome process.  Work with a business broker and you’ll find that the process can be smoother than you may have expected.

Copyright: Business Brokerage Press, Inc.

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Selling a business is a process that depends upon professionalism and confidentiality.  Selecting a business broker who understands the critical role that confidentiality plays is simply a must.  Unfortunately, countless sellers have in fact dealt with a situation where a breach in confidentiality has caused a deal to fall apart.

A failure to maintain confidentiality can lead to a slew of negative reactions from a range of parties.  Everyone from supplies and vendors to creditors could react in a way that could harm your business, for example, vendors could change their terms and this could in turn negatively impact your cash flow.

A breach of confidentiality could also lead to negative reactions amongst both employees and customers.  The reason is that employees may begin to worry about the security of their jobs and may also become nervous about the change in management.  These fears could prompt employees to find a new job and leave you with a position that needs to be filled.  Potentially more significant is the fact that the loss of key personnel could cause your buyer to have cold feet.

As if all of these factors were not enough of a concern there is also the issue of the competition.  If your competition gets wind that you may be looking to sell they may take advantage of the situation and start attempting to steal your customers.

Finally, a breach in confidentiality could send potential buyers running.  The headaches that are often associated with a breach in confidentiality are such that potential buyers may simply drop the deal.

The best way to protect your confidentiality is to opt for a great business broker.  A business broker is an expert in prompting a business without notifying the competition, your employees, vendors or anyone else.  The process is both an art and a science.

When attempting to sell on your own there are many and diverse pitfalls.  Sellers are much more likely to accidentally reveal who you are; after all, a seller has to provide phone numbers, email addresses, physical addresses and other critical and identifying information.  Even your home phone number could be traced back to your identity and ultimately your business.

A seasoned business broker can help you bypass these potentially damaging issues, by not just shielding your business’s identify but also by ensuring that all interested parties sign confidentiality agreements and are pre-qualified.  In this way you only reveal what is absolutely necessary.  In short, it is best to work with a business broker and maintain your confidentiality at all costs.

Copyright: Business Brokerage Press, Inc.

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