Sell a Business with IBA

Business owners hire IBA professionals to sell their businesses traditionally for one of four reasons.    The most common motivation is the business owner wants to retire and does not have a family member or employee capable of or interested in purchasing the company.   The second reason is that the entrepreneur enjoyed creating & building the business, but does not derive the same amount of pleasure from managing it  or wants to apply their business acumen & resources to another project.   The third reason is an entrepreneur has grown the business to the maximum possible level achievable with their skill set, and recognizes that a transition of ownership is in the best interest of the company.   The final motivation is the business owner has experienced an adverse personal situation (partnership breakup, divorce, disability, or death).  It is important to note that with the exception of the final scenario IBA clients traditionally do not need to sell, they want to sell.  IBA does not represent failing business models.  We represent successful entrepreneurs interested in selling their privately held companies or family owned businesses.  As experienced real estate professionals, we also have the ability to represent business owners in the sale of their associated real estate.

IBA is the most selective business brokerage firm in the Pacific Northwest.   We carefully select the businesses we represent for sale because our professionals are achievement motivated and only want to represent companies they can successfully sell in a reasonable time period.   We are not interested in building inventory.   We are interested in selling companies.  We are selective because our reputation with business buyers in the marketplace is that we represent quality businesses at fair prices.  This reputation generates a steady stream of business buyers contacting our office.  Finally, we are selective because 100% of our business brokerage fees are contingent on successful completion of a transaction.   IBA is not interested in collecting retainers & administrative fees as part of our business model.  We are interested in getting paid on performance.

The sale of a privately held company or family owned business is a sophisticated process conducted in an environment of confidentiality that requires expertise in valuation, marketing, negotiations, due diligence, legal documentation, and the administrative succession of ownership.   This process can be attempted without professional representation. However, statistics have shown that professionally represented companies typically achieve sale prices more in line with their highest possible market value and spend less time on the market than ones sold directly by ownership. In addition, sellers of professionally represented companies typically experience a smoother sale process with more clearly defined transaction steps and have less post transactional administrative and legal issues to address.

International Business Associates, IBA, is a full service mergers & acquisitions firm that offers its clients comprehensive representation services during the sale process.   Please contact our office if you have any questions regarding the representation we provide our clients or if you would like to schedule a time to meet with an IBA professional.   All information shared with IBA will be held in strict confidence.