This is a question every business owner must face eventually. Hi, I’m Sagar Raich, Managing Attorney at Raich Law, where we excel at helping business owners sell their businesses. The truth is, nobody knows the exact value of your company. Let’s delve into why and how we conduct our market valuations. There are numerous methods to value a business, such as multiples of EBITDA, Discounted Cash Flow, Industry Comparables, and Fair Market Asset Value, among others.

As you might guess, these methods can yield vastly different results, none of which may accurately reflect the market. At Raich Law, we believe the best approach is to consult with active buyers currently in the marketplace. As the saying goes, “Value is in the eye of the beholder.” Your business’s cash value is essentially what a buyer is willing to pay, based on their valuation of the combined assets and their projection of the company’s future worth. This means there isn’t a precise dollar figure, but rather a range or estimate of value, as each situation is unique and influenced by various factors.

For instance, I recently spoke with a buyer who completed over 10 transactions in the IT sector within the past 15 months. They provided valuable insights into deal size, multiple ranges, earn-outs, holdbacks, equity rolls, and other critical M&A terms in this industry. With this current, active information about your industry, we can apply it to your company to provide an accurate valuation range.

Notice I use the term value range because it offers the best estimate of the current market. It’s an estimate, not an exact figure, because we never put a price tag on a business when we sell it. Instead, we market the business to our extensive database of thousands of buyers using a confidential competitive offer process similar to an eBay auction for businesses. If the deal is appealing, buyers compete, driving up the price, similar to an auction. This lets the market set the true price of the business, often resulting in a higher price for the seller. A recent example is a business we sold that received over a dozen competitive offers, exceeding the initial market valuation range by more than 20%! Therefore, the only way to know your business’s true worth is through this competitive sale process, as it could sell for more, less, or within the market valuation range. We won’t know until it sells. However, our business sale and valuation experts can provide an accurate value range and a strategy to make your business more attractive to potential buyers.

The first step to selling your business or preparing it for sale is to get a professional business valuation. Don’t be misled by competitors charging $5,000, $10,000, or even $50,000 for a market valuation, only to give you an estimate. Raich Law offers a comprehensive market valuation for free, with no obligation. We are confident that after seeing our work and meeting our exceptional team, you will trust us with the sale or value enhancement of your business. Regardless of your business size or industry, our M&A business brokers can provide a first-class estimate of your business’s current value and help you sell it now or strategize for future growth. Call us today at 702-758-4240, fill out the contact form, or chat with a live representative to book your free business valuation consultation today! Let us help you get paid for your hard work and exit on top!