Valuation Fundamentals
How to Value a Small Business: The Complete Guide
The three valuation methods buyers actually use, when each applies, and how to think about what your business is worth.
How to Calculate Seller's Discretionary Earnings (SDE)
Step-by-step walkthrough of calculating SDE with a real laundromat case study. Covers add-backs, reductions, and common mistakes.
From SDE to Valuation: Understanding Industry Multiples
How to apply the right multiple to your SDE, what drives multiples up or down, and industry benchmarks.
The Sale Process
How to Sell My Business: A Step-by-Step Guide
The complete roadmap from deciding to sell through closing. Timeline, deal structures, and what to expect at each stage.
Who You Need to Sell Your Business
The professional team required for a successful exit—brokers, attorneys, accountants—and when to bring each one in.
Keeping Your Business Sale Confidential
Why confidentiality kills more deals than price disagreements, and how to protect your business throughout the process.
Business Readiness
Industry Case Studies
Convenience Store SDE Calculation: Real Business Example
14-year family convenience store with declining revenue, lottery sales, and family labor issues. Learn how to normalize compensation and adjust for above-market wages.
How to Value a Convenience Store: From SDE to Sale Price
Applying dual-metric valuation methodology with weighted SDE averages. Includes risk adjustments for declining revenue and no-employee concerns.
HVAC Business SDE Calculation: Real Company Example
Growing 12-year HVAC company with two working owners. Covers above-market compensation adjustments, discretionary expenses, and replacement staff costs.
How to Value an HVAC Business: From SDE to Sale Price
Valuation comparison showing the dramatic difference between owner-operator ($1.42M) and absentee owner ($1.22M) scenarios with growth premium adjustments.
Auto Repair & Transmission Shop: SDE Calculation
18-year auto repair business with anomaly year due to employee medical leave. Covers reduced weighting methodology and below-market rent adjustments.
Auto Repair & Transmission Shop: From SDE to Sale Price
Applying weighted averages with anomaly year consideration. Shows working owner ($285K-$343K) vs. absentee owner ($177K-$213K) valuation ranges.
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