Part 4
Selling your business, which is perhaps your largest asset, can be a difficult decision. It has been part of you and part of your family. It has been good to you like an old friend. You have loved it – you have cursed it – you have nurtured it, you have seen it from birth through the teen years and into maturity. Unlike us, it can live for generations – though the time will come when it must change hands.
When the cycle of business and our personal circumstances begin to herald the transition, it should be addressed in order to realize the financial security for which it was created.
In this series of blog posts I’ve been discussing the 10 signs that it might be time to sell your business. The first sign is when the enthusiasm for the business has diminished. A changing marketplace can also be a sign it’s time to exit, as can a risk/reward imbalance.
Sign #4 – A Change Would Be Good For the Family
Many have experienced the challenges of a family run business. As the succeeding generation grows into personal and business maturity, it may be time for a generational transfer of ownership. A recapitalization with a Private Equity Group as a financial partner can allow the founding shareholders to take the lion’s share of the business value in cash at closing, while the succeeding generation reinvests (through a small amount of the proceeds) for a meaningful share of the company going forward. The company would also have access to growth capital. How great would it be to again have a family relationship that is not encroached upon by business? Is the business stealing time from your kids? Are you trading memories for dollars? Many business owners have delayed a sale in spite of the concerns of a loving spouse who desires a different and better life for themselves.
