If you share ownership or are considering bringing another investor or partner into your small business, you will want to negotiate a fair buyout or buy-in with those involved to avoid a messy dispute. As certified appraisers, we see so many instances where the process has dragged on for months with no agreement due in large part to the fact that the parties on each side of a transaction cannot reasonably agree on a price. There’s a lot at stake when dealing with the exit or new entry of investors when ownership shares are being allocated, and it is simply human nature that different perspect ..read more

There are many reasons why a business owner should engage in an independent third-party appraisal of their company. They may be looking to sell, refinance, restructure, buy out a partner, or bring in new investors. But what about the importance of simply understanding realistically what your company is worth today by hiring a certified, experienced, unbiased professional to provide you with a complete analysis that you can rely on? This is what we like to refer to as internal business planning. This broad purpose can cover a lot of areas, but more importantly, it’s a catch-all term that repre ..read more

One of the most challenging components of a professional appraiser’s practice is being an expert witness in a court trial, hearing, deposition, or arbitration. Regardless of how many years of experience an appraiser has, or how many times they have testified, this can be a very difficult process to go through. Many accredited, professional appraisers rely on business and personal dispute work as part of their overall revenue, and, commonly, a significant percentage of their work involves clients who have hired attorneys to represent them in a litigation matter. The importance of providing an ..read more

There is a misconception in the valuation industry, which some of our clients express their concern over, that their appraiser needs to be located in close proximity to where their company is situated. It is understandable that a small business owner, who themselves may have several local relationships with their own clientele, would raise this issue; however, the fact is that experienced, certified professional appraisers can effectively value any company, regardless of where it is located, and what local markets it may be operating in. During the valuation process, a qualified appraiser wil ..read more

It seems not that long ago (although it was!) when running a small business or even working in a larger corporate environment involved a ton of phone calls, writing, typing, and mailing hard copies of letters and documents, while advertising in local trade journals or yellow pages. Over the past couple of decades, advances in technology have allowed companies to operate faster and much more effectively, providing additional opportunities to develop and grow a small business successfully. Of course, we all know how email, cell phones, and the internet have vastly improved our professional live ..read more

For new business owners, it can take years to finally reach a point where a certain level of success is reached, and all the hard work and long hours finally pay off. Success is measured in different ways and can be fleeting or inconsistent. There are many reasons why success is eventually achieved, the most obvious being dedication, relationship building, and developing a competitive edge that sets your company apart from the rest. In today’s business climate, there are both new and old concepts to consider when developing a longer-term game plan. The key to longevity is understanding and ta ..read more

  Business owners are constantly having to review their annual expense budgets for both fixed overhead and variable costs that arise from new projects and demands that come up in any given year. It is common for decisions to be made based largely on who can deliver the lowest price, especially in a competitive market where the product or service needed can come from a multitude of vendors. This strategy might save you money in the short term however, there is oftentimes a loss in quality that comes with working with the cheapest option that can come back and haunt you later on. Quality ca ..read more

  Being a small business owner is both exciting and stressful and has significant benefits and responsibilities beyond a typical employment position. Taking on all of the ownership responsibilities yourself or considering a partnership is a critical decision you may need to make at the beginning of the venture and afterward, once the company has been operating for a number of years. Circumstances may decide this for you, or you may have more control over the process. Either way, here are a few things to consider when thinking about what is best for you. Can You Manage Everything on Your ..read more

With 2024 in mind, many of us vow to change a habit or two and get a fresh start on improving our way of life with the proverbial New Year's Resolution. This change in mindset can often be fleeting when the thought process does not materialize into instant benefits after minimal dedicated work effort. The brain can quickly adjust back to telling you that everything is fine, and you feel pretty good about yourself. The same can be said for your business where it is much simpler to continue with the old way of doing things, especially when the year-to-year results are solid, and you and your st ..read more

As certified, professional business appraisers, we engage with quite a few clients and their attorneys who are going through a marriage dissolution/divorce and need to value a business owned by one or by both parties involved. The workflow process should not be much unlike any other type of valuation; however, the potential “drama” that often occurs during divorce proceedings can sometimes bleed into the ongoing communication. If this happens, it is important to take a step back and reaffirm how the appraisal agreement is structured, and who your client is. As a rule of thumb, never allow you ..read more