America is home to over 33 million small businesses, owned and operated by people of every background and belief. That’s not luck. That’s liberty.

Whether you're ready to sell this year or preparing for a potential exit down the road, understanding what drives business value is critical. And spoiler alert: It’s not just about your revenue.

A patent is a government-issued legal right that grants an inventor or assignee exclusive rights to make, use, sell, or license an invention for a defined period of time, typically 20 years. In the context of selling a business, patents are more than just intellectual property—they are tangible assets that can significantly impact valuation, negotiating leverage, and buyer interest.

When buyers look at your business, they’re not just buying your brand or your client list. They’re buying your systems—or at least, they hope you have some. The more your business can function without your daily input, the more valuable it becomes.

While this (article) is buyer-centric, sellers who understand each phase can pre-empt buyer concerns, supply the right documents at the right time, and even shape a smoother negotiation process. That alignment not only speeds up the deal but often drives a higher purchase price.

A trademark is any word, phrase, symbol, design, or combination thereof that identifies and distinguishes the source of goods or services of one party from those of others. In other words, it’s your brand’s signature—everything from your logo and tagline to unique product names.

Most business owners wait until they’re ready to sell before preparing their business for sale. And when they do, the result is often a mad dash to “clean things up,” make the books look better, and find missing documentation. But here’s the truth: when it comes to selling a business, last-minute prep rarely leads to maximum value. The businesses that sell faster, for more money, and with fewer headaches? Those are the ones built using the right tools—early and often.

In the world of business sales, intangibles often carry the most weight. A clean copyright portfolio is like having a clear title on your house—it builds trust, adds value, and smooths the path to closing.

This article aims to equip you with a comprehensive understanding of what NCAs are, how they work, and their significance in various stages of the Business Ownership Journey.

Today’s content is intentionally chill. No videos. No reels. Just a quick catch-up and a wink toward what’s coming. We’re embracing the slow-build strategy and keeping Fridays fun.

A buyer doesn’t want your blood, sweat, and tears. They want a system. A structure. A machine that runs whether you’re in the office or on a beach in Belize.

If you’re hoping to sell one day, the decisions you make now will shape the deal you end up with later. A well-prepared business — with clean records, transferable assets, and low liabilities — gives you more options.

One minute you’re the boss, the next minute you’re alphabetizing spices or refreshing Zillow out of boredom. The emotional aftermath of a sale can be rough — especially for founders.

Many sellers fixate on the offer price but ignore deal structure, payment timing, tax consequences, or earnout clauses that can dramatically shift the final value.

Earnouts are not just clever deal mechanics—they’re relationship tools. When structured correctly, they reinforce trust and reward performance, which can be especially valuable in lower middle-market transactions.

Being tired of Mondays is not a good enough reason to sell your business. Neither is fantasizing about escaping that one employee who’s a little too chipper at 7:45 a.m. Selling your business is a massive decision — emotionally, financially, and strategically. And it’s one that requires more than burnout or a vague “I’m over it” moment.

If you wait until you're knee-deep in the selling process to bring key people in, the risks multiply. Timing matters.

Due Diligence is the M&A version of “trust, but verify.”

Selling your business is not the end—it’s the beginning of a new phase filled with opportunities, growth, and fulfillment

Selling a business is one of the most significant financial transactions of your life—it’s not the time to cut corners.