Selling Guide

A plain-language guide for Texas owners thinking about selling a business.

Deciding whether it is time to sell

There is no single right moment to sell. Some owners sell because they are ready for a next chapter, want to reduce risk, or have health or family reasons. Others sell because the business has grown to a point where a new owner could take it further. A useful starting point is to be clear, in your own words, about what you want from a sale: timing, how much involvement you want after closing, and what would need to be true for you to feel the decision was sound. You do not need to have every answer before you talk to us. A confidential conversation can help you test your thinking without committing to a sale.

What buyers look for, in plain terms

Buyers usually start with cash flow: how much money the business reliably makes after paying its normal running costs, the owner, and the things it needs to keep going. They also look at whether sales are steady or lumpy, whether the business depends on one customer or one person, and whether its equipment, systems, and staff would keep working under a new owner. A business that is easier to understand, with clean records and a team that is not built around a single person, is generally easier for a buyer to take on. That does not mean a business must be perfect. It means the clearer the picture, the fewer surprises there are later.

Documents to gather

Gathering these early saves time later and helps you see the business the way a buyer will:

- Profit and loss statements and tax returns for the last three years

- A list of equipment and fixtures, with what is owned and what is leased

- Lease documents for any premises, vehicles, or equipment

- Loans and equipment leases, including balances and terms

- A franchise agreement, if the business is a franchise

- An approximate inventory figure, and how inventory is counted

- Contact details for your outside advisors, such as your accountant and attorney

You do not need to send us everything at once. Start with what you have, and we can talk through gaps together.

Getting your financials presentable

Presentable does not mean dressed up. It means organized, consistent, and easy to follow: the same figures in the same places, owner expenses separated from business costs where possible, and any one-off items explained in plain language. If your accountant can help, that is useful, but you do not need a new set of books before a first conversation. We will look at what you have and talk honestly about what would help a buyer understand the business.

Preparing how the business looks and runs

Small, practical steps help: tidy premises and equipment, up-to-date records, clear job roles, and a simple list of how work is won, priced, and delivered. If the business depends heavily on you for sales, quotes, or key relationships, think about how that work could be shared or documented over time. Buyers want to see that the business can keep running after you step back, even if you stay on for a short handover.

Pricing, as market guidance only

Pricing is discussed as market guidance, based on the business, its cash flow, and what similar businesses have sold for, where that information is available. It is not a certified appraisal and it is not a litigation-grade valuation, and we do not guarantee a sale or a particular price. Pricing expectations and a marketing approach are agreed with you before anything is shared with buyers, and confidentiality is protected throughout.

How the sale process works, in brief

After a confidential introductory conversation, we review the business and its readiness, discuss pricing expectations and marketing, screen buyers and use confidentiality agreements before sensitive information is shared, help you evaluate offers and negotiate price and terms, and coordinate with you and your professional advisors through due diligence and closing. You can read the full steps on the Sell Your Business page.

Businesses of all kinds

The businesses we work with come in all kinds — restaurants, retail, automotive, franchises, manufacturing, distribution, professional services, home services and trades, and many others — and the same preparation and process apply to each.