Trending Resources
While some of our resources are available exclusively to Members of Trending Up Business Services, there is plenty of FREE and accessible information for Business Owners here and there's more coming every week. We are your resource for Maximum Valuation.
Coming Soon: The Business Owner’s Guide to Selling Smart
Written by Rich Giles, Founder of Trending Up Business Services, this no-fluff guide walks business owners through the real-world steps of preparing, valuing, marketing, and selling a business—with confidence and clarity. Whether you’re six months or six years away from an exit, this resource is packed with practical insights, expert advice, and the encouragement every owner needs to make the right move, at the right time. Includes a special contribution on marketing strategy from Jason Giles, Chief Marketing Officer at TUBS.
Helpful Tools
Business Owner's Readiness Checklist
Thinking about selling your business—whether next year or five years down the road? This checklist is your starting point. Designed to help you identify strengths, uncover gaps, and take action long before a sale, this tool walks you through the key areas that impact valuation, buyer interest, and deal success. From financials and operations to legal prep and leadership structure, it’s a must-have for any owner who wants to build a more sellable—and valuable—business.
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Business Independence Checklist
Is your business running because of you—or without you? This checklist helps business owners assess how dependent the company is on their day-to-day involvement. Use it to pinpoint bottlenecks, identify where systems and delegation can improve, and work toward a self-sustaining operation—one that’s more scalable, valuable, and sellable down the line.
Seller’s Negotiation Checklist
Negotiation is where deals are won—or lost. This checklist equips business owners with the right questions to ask, documents to prepare, and priorities to define before stepping into the negotiation room. Whether you're working with a broker or handling talks yourself, this tool helps you stay organized, confident, and in control of the conversation.
Infographic: 3 Signs You’re Building a Job, Not a Sellable Business
If your business falls apart the moment you step away, it may be time for a reality check. This quick-hit visual guide highlights the most common red flags that indicate your company relies too heavily on you—the owner. Use it as a conversation starter with your team or a wake-up call to start building a more transferable, buyer-ready operation.
10 Lessons from Local Business Owners
There’s no substitute for lived experience. We asked successful business owners to share the advice they wish they’d known earlier—and the answers didn’t disappoint. This downloadable guide curates 10 practical, often surprising insights from the field. Whether you're growing, scaling, or preparing to sell, these hard-earned lessons just might save you time, money, and a few sleepless nights.
The Ultimate Business Buyer’s Due Diligence Checklist
Our Ultimate Business Buyer’s Due Diligence Checklist is a comprehensive, step-by-step PDF guide that walks you through every essential document and question—from financial statements and tax returns to customer contracts, IP registrations, and environmental permits. Designed to be fully customizable, it ensures you and your advisors leave no stone unturned, streamline your review process, and confidently move forward with data-driven insights.
Business Buyer’s LOI Template.
Our Ultimate Business Buyer’s Due Diligence Checklist is a comprehensive, step-by-step PDF guide that walks you through every essential document and question—from financial statements and tax returns to customer contracts, IP registrations, and environmental permits. Designed to be fully customizable, it ensures you and your advisors leave no stone unturned, streamline your review process, and confidently move forward with data-driven insights.
