One of the Leading Consulting Firms for Today’s Entrepreneurs
Online Resources
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What Buyers Are Looking For
www.allbusiness.com This Website provides thorough guides, resources, forms, and advice for all types of small businesses. The Website is designed to provide practical solutions to real-world problems that occur with owning your own business.
www.morebusiness.com This Website provides a general overview of information covering most areas essential to the small business, from creating a business, to financial matters, to employee management and more.
www.NFIB.com The National Federation of Independent Businesses is the largest organization representing small and independent businesses on a federal level. The purpose of this federation is to have a positive impact on public policy related to the businesses it represents.
www.nsba.biz The National Small Business Association advertises itself as being America’s Small Business Advocate. This Website offers a broad range of information concerning small businesses.
www.sba.gov The United States Small Business Administration (SBA) offers government assistance and counseling for small businesses.
www.sbia.org The Small Business Investor Alliance is an organization that helps protect small businesses on a federal level.
www.score.org The SCORE Website is run by retired executives, also known as the Counselors to America’s Small Businesses. It offers a free exchange of advice on small businesses from experienced professionals.
www.wsj.com/news/business/small-business-marketing The Wall Street Journal Center for Entrepreneurs offers a free resource for entrepreneurs to find information on running a business.
www.business.com This website offers a search engine of services, companies, and news related to owning your own business.
www.businessinsider.com/11-stages-of-selling-a-company-2011-4 Business Insider is an American financial and business news website published by Insider Inc.
www.businessinsider.com/presenting-ultimate-guide-to-selling-your-startup-2019-7 Business Insider is an American financial and business news website published by Insider Inc.
www.fitsmallbusiness.com/when-to-sell-a-business-tips This Website offers tips on when to sell your business.
www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2020/02/12/thinking-of-selling-your-business-avoid-these-common-mistakes Forbes is a global media company, focusing on business, investing, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership, and lifestyle.
www.investopedia.com/articles/08/sell-side.asp Investopedia offers information on why successful businesses get acquired.
www.nfib.com/content/resources/money/how-to-sell-a-small-business-in-7-steps-63818 The National Federation of Independent Businesses is the voice of small business, advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals.
www.score.org/blog/when-why-and-how-sell-your-small-business The SCORE Website is run by retired executives, also known as the Counselors to America’s Small Businesses. It offers a free exchange of advice on small businesses from experienced professionals.
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Sites Listing Businesses That Are for Sale
www.bbn-net.com The Broker’s Network Group provides information on business sales by experienced business brokers and intermediaries.
www.BeTheBoss.com BeTheBoss is a database of businesses and franchises for sale.
www.BizBuySell.com BizBuySell is the largest business-for-sale exchange. It has over 30,000 active businesses for sale.
www.BizBuySell.com This website is a business for sale marketplace.
www.bizQuest.com This Website is a marketplace for the purchase or sale of a business. It also offers resources to purchase your business online.
www.BizQuest.com This website lists businesses that are for sale.
www.BusinessBroker.net The website is a marketplace for businesses and franchises that are for sale.
www.BusinessesForSale.com This is a website for buying or selling a business.
www.businessmart.com This is website for buying or selling a business or franchise
www.DealStream.com This website (formerly MergerNetwork) is a global marketplace for buying and selling businesses, real estate, oil and gas assets, private investments, and other business-to-business items.
www.Franchise.org The International Franchise Association’s Website offers information if you want to buy, sell, or maintain a franchise.
www.FranchiseDirect.com Franchise Direct offers a directory of franchises and resources to improve your franchise business.
www.Franchising.com This website contains a database for the purchase and sale of franchises, but it also has resources specific to the type of franchise for sale.
www.hbr.org/ideacast/2017/02/why-you-should-buy-a-business-and-how-to-do-it.html Richard S. Ruback and Royce Yudkoff, professors at Harvard Business School, offer advice on buying a business and running it as a CEO.
www.rootenergyadvisors.org Advice to reduce risk, getting a loan, and buying a business
www.sba.gov/business-guide/plan-your-business/buy-existing-business-or-franchise The United States Small Business Administration (SBA) offers government assistance and counseling for small businesses.
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The Selling Memorandum
www.bizbuysell.com/seller_resources/creating-a-selling-memorandum-to-sell-your-business/54/ BizBuySell is the Internet's largest and most heavily trafficked business for sale marketplace, with more business for sale listings, more unique users, and more search activity than any other service.
www.businessplans.org This is a website that provides resources for planning your business.
www.inc.com/mike-handelsman/selling-your-business-preparing-an-effective-selling-memo.html Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real solutions for today's innovative company builders.
Financial Metrics
www.forbes.com/sites/mikekappel/2017/03/08/6-ways-to-measure-small-business-success/#7336f70618f4 6 Ways to Measure Small Business Success. Forbes is a global media company, focusing on business, investing, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership, and lifestyle.
www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2014/06/20/the-seven-startup-metrics-you-must-track/#1d875f1e725e The seven start up metrics you must track. Forbes is a global media company, focusing on business, investing, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership, and lifestyle.
www.getvested.io/blog/startup-financial-metrics/ The only financial metrics that matter.
www.uschamber.com The United States Chamber of Commerce offers financial planning and advice on creating and maintaining a successful business.
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Your Board
www.businessinsider.com/how-to-create-a-better-board-of-directors-2015-12 Business Insider is an American financial and business news website published by Insider Inc.
www.corpgov.net This Website offers news, links, and commentary to help aid corporate governance.
www.fdic.gov/index.html The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation offers general guidelines for your board of directors to follow.
www.forbes.com/sites/jillgriffin/2019/08/14/are-you-ready-to-serve-on-a-corporate-board/#6d4bfa8957d4 Forbes is a global media company, focusing on business, investing, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership, and lifestyle
www.governanceinstitute.com This Website, run by the Governance Institute, advertises itself as offering “unbiased governance knowledge.”
www.managementhelp.org/boards/boards.htm This Website, the Free Management Library, offers a “complete toolkit for boards” as well as links to other resources.
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Marketing Your Business for Sale
www.DealStream.com This website (formerly MergerNetwork) is a global marketplace for buying and selling businesses, real estate, oil and gas assets, private investments, and other business-to-business items.
www.globalbx.com The Global Business Exchange features a “free confidential forum to facilitate the buying and selling of businesses”. It also provides a comprehensive listing of professional business brokers.
www.inc.com/mike-handelsman/how-to-market-your-business-for-sale.html Balancing marketing plans while trying to keep a small business sale confidential can be tricky. Here's how to target potential buyers quickly and discreetly. Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real solutions for today's innovative company builders.
www.thebalancesmb.com/selling-your-small-business-mistakes-2890127 The Balance Small Business site provides articles with information and guides for many stages of small businesses
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Valuing Your Business: An Introduction
www.bizex.net/business-valuation-tool This website provides a simple, free online business valuation calculator
www.bvresources.com Business Valuation Resources, LLC, offers a forum to ask questions relating to the valuation of a business that will be answered by professionals or other members.
www.ebizbrokers.com This Website provides a description of the different ways to value a business to find the appropriate method of valuation for your business.
www.valuationresources.com This Website provides business valuation publications and resources. It also contains a broad list of links to other industry data relevant to valuing your business for sale.
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Valuation: Company Value and Financial Condition/Methods of Determining a Business’s Value
www.appraisers.org The American Society of Appraiser’s Website offers guides for beginning the business appraisal process provided by professional business appraisers. It also offers discussion forums as well as business valuation resources.
www.bvresources.com Business Valuation Resources, LLC, offers a forum to ask questions relating to the valuation of a business that will be answered by professionals or other members.
www.entrepreneur.com Entrepreneur.com advertises itself as having the “Solutions for Growing Businesses.” Search for “business valuation” and you will find many articles that can be used in valuing a business.
www.finance.yahoo.com Whether investing independently or keeping abreast of business news, Yahoo! Finance provides an extremely competent and comprehensive offering. This intuitive site supplies the basic tools for any investor without requiring a subscription making it a go-to site for financial information.
www.nav.com/blog/small-business-valuation-methods-how-to-value-a-small-business-474215/ This article provides an overview and tips for valuing small businesses.
www.score.org SCORE, which was created and maintained by retired executives, features articles that give the basic facts to value a business.
www.smbiz.com The Small Business Taxes and Management’s Web site provides tax and management help to the business owner.
www.thebalancesmb.com The Balance Small Business site provides articles with information and guides for many stages of small businesses
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Confidentiality: Introduction, Limiting Data Dissemination, and Preparing Confidentiality Agreements
www.allbusiness.com This site offers sample forms (including a confidentiality agreement) and some advice for your business.
www.amstat.org The American Statistical Organization provides legal documents that reference confidentiality.
www.coollawyer.com CoolLawyer.com offers an overview of confidentiality from a legal perspective and answers the most frequently asked questions.
www.forbes.com/sites/allbusiness/2016/03/10/the-key-elements-of-non-disclosure-agreements/#187bc19c627d Forbes is a global media company, focusing on business, investing, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership, and lifestyle.
www.investopedia.com This site offers information on a wide range of topics. You can search the dictionary and be provided with a definition and related links or click on articles or research tabs for more in-depth answers. Here you can find information relating to valuation, confidentiality, due diligence, letters of intent, and many other topics.
www.nolo.com Nolo describes itself as being “the leader in do-it-yourself legal solutions for small businesses.” This Website also offers resources such as forms, checklists, articles, and a dictionary on business terminology.
www.rocketlawyer.com Rocket Lawyer provides sample templates to create various legal documents, including asset and stock purchase agreements
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Letter of Intent
www.allbusiness.com This is the place to go for sample forms (including a letter of intent) and some advice for your business. This site serves the small business owner.
www.alllaw.com AllLaw.com offers an enormous database for just about everything legal. For example, this Website offers information, from a legal perspective, on the items needed in a thorough letter of intent.
www.forbes.com/sites/allbusiness/2015/07/30/how-to-negotiate-a-business-acquisition-letter-of-intent/#a5b4d631b2ab Forbes is a global media company, focusing on business, investing, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership, and lifestyle.
www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/letter-of-intent-for-business Indeed is an employment-related search engine for job listings
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Due Diligence
www.allbusiness.com This site offers for sample forms (including a due diligence checklist) and some advice for your business.
www.crunchbase.com Crunchbase provides a platform for finding information on business, investors and more
www.urgentbusinessforms.com This Website provides a description of each of the forms required for the sale of your business. You can also purchase forms from this site. www.patriotsoftware.com/accounting/training/blog/due-diligence-means-small-business/ This site provides an overview and tips for conducting due diligence when acquiring small business
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The Asset Purchase and Stock Purchase Agreement
csbweb01.uncw.edu/people/eversp/classes/BLA361/BusLawForms/Corporate%20Forms/STOCK%20PURCHASE%20AGREEMENT.doc This document from University of North Carolina Wilmington provides a full sample Stock Purchase Agreement.
www.allbusiness.com This site offers sample forms (including sales contracts) and some advice for your business.
www.businessinsider.com/how-to-complete-a-joint-stock-asset-purchase-2013-9 Business Insider is an American financial and business news website published by Insider Inc.
www.forbes.com/sites/sageworks/2015/10/11/6-things-to-know-about-buy-sell-agreements/#be25fd975b81 Forbes is a global media company, focusing on business, investing, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership, and lifestyle.
www.investopedia.com This site offers information on a wide range of topics. You can search the dictionary and be provided with a definition and related links or click on articles or research tabs for more in-depth answers. Here you can find information relating to valuation, confidentiality, due diligence, letters of intent, purchase agreements, and many other topics.
www.law.uh.edu/faculty/jmantel/2018HealthCare/Sample%20Asset%20Purchase%20Agreement.pdf This document from University of Houston Law Center provides a full sample Asset Purchase Agreement.
www.rocketlawyer.com Rocket Lawyer provides sample templates to create various legal documents, including asset and stock purchase agreements
www.rocketlawyer.com/gb/en/quick-guides/asset-purchase-agreements This article provides an overview of asset purchase agreements.
www.sigmamergers.com/anatomy-of-the-asset-purchase-agreement This article provides a walkthrough of the various sections to include in an asset purchase agreement
www.smartasset.com/financial-advisor/selling-a-business-contract This site provides an overview of the different things to consider when writing a contract for sale
www.tremblylaw.com/6-important-elements-asset-purchase-agreement This article provides a review of the main components of an asset purchase agreement
www.upcounsel.com/what-is-contract-of-sale This site offers advice on buying a business and the contract of sale.
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After the Sale
www.allbusiness.com This site offers for sample forms and some advice for your business. Many articles explain what to do after you have sold your company.
www.axial.net/forum/nine-things-must-sell-business This site discusses the 9 things you should do after selling your business.
This site talks about what do expect after you sell your business and gives advice from other Founders who have done so.
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Other Sites of Interest
www.businessownersideacafe.com Idea Café: Small Business Help offers information on how to start and run your business.
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Government-Provided Data
www.bbb.org The Better Business Bureau provides resources for over 2 million organizations, which can help make a well-informed investment.
www.bls.gov The Bureau of Labor Statistics Website offers publications such as the US Occupational Outlook Handbook.
www.bostonfed.org The Boston Federal Reserve Bank Website.
www.cbo.gov The Congressional Budget Office Website.
www.census.gov The U.S. Bureau Census Website.
www.census.gov/library/publications/time-series/statistical_abstracts.html The U.S. Bureau Census offers a Statistical Abstract of the United States at this Website.
www.chicagofed.org The Chicago Federal Reserve Bank Website.
www.commerce.gov The Department of Commerce Website.
www.dallasfed.org The Dallas, Texas, Federal Reserve Bank Website.
www.federalreserve.gov The Board of Governors’ Website offers government information on the economy and the central banking system. There are also links to the 12 other Federal Reserve Bank’s Websites.
www.federalreserve.gov/releases The Web site for Federal Reserve Statistics releases.
www.frbatlanta.org The Website of the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank.
www.frbsf.org The Website of the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank.
www.kansascityfed.org The Website of the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank.
www.minneapolisfed.org The Website of the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank.
www.newyorkfed.org The Website of the New York Federal Reserve Bank.
www.phil.frb.org The Website of the Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank.
www.richmondfed.org The Website of the Richmond Federal Reserve Bank.
www.sba.gov The United States Small Business Administration (SBA) offers government assistance and counseling for small businesses.
www.sec.gov The Website of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
www.ssa.gov The official Website of the Social Security Administration.
www.stlouisfed.org The Website of the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank.
www.treasury.gov/about/history/Pages/irs.aspx The Website of the Internal Revenue Service.
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Investing and Corporate Information
www.BigCharts.com BigCharts offers graphs of recent and historic economic data.
www.Bloomberg.com The Bloomberg Website.
www.briefing.com This Website offers unbiased analysis of the current stock market.
www.BusinessNation.com The Business Nation Website.
www.BusinessWeek.com The Bloomberg Business Week Website.
www.dnb.com Dun & Bradstreet offers credit advice as well as business credit reports.
www.Economy.com Moody’s Analytics Website.
www.edgar-online.com This Website offers business and financial information on global companies.
www.finance.yahoo.com The Yahoo finance Website.
www.finpipe.com This Website offers a thorough introduction to the world of investing.
www.fool.com The Motley Fool Website.
www.ft.com The Financial Times Website.
www.hoovers.com The D&B Hoovers Online Website.
www.internetnews.com The InternetNewsWeb site offers news for IT business owners.
www.investors.com The Investor’s Business Daily Website
www.Morningstar.com The Morningstar Website.
www.nasdaq.com The NASDAQ Website.
www.nyse.com The New York Stock Exchange Website.
www.nytimes.com The New York Times Website.
www.Quicken.com The Quicken Website.
www.TaxFoundation.org The Tax Foundation Website.
www.tdameritrade.com TDAmeritrade website
www.USAToday.com The USA Today Website.
www.wsj.com The Wall Street Journal Website.
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Borrowing money to purchase a closely held business
us.businessesforsale.com/us/guides/buying-a-business-raising-finance
The BusinessesForSale website offers a marketplace of about 60 thousand businesses for sale. It contains various articles for tips on maintaining a successful business.
www.biz2credit.com/blog/2019/12/10/top-4-loans-to-buy-an-existing-business This article provides an overview of four common loan options available to buy a closely held business
www.fundera.com/business-loans/guides/how-to-get-a-loan-to-buy-a-business Fundera is a marketplace for small business financial solutions. This article walks through the different steps of getting an acquisition loan to purchase a closely held business
www.sba.gov/partners/lenders/7a-loan-program/types-7a-loans The United States Small Business Administration (SBA) offers government assistance and counseling for small businesses. This article describes the various types of 7(a) loans
www.sba7a.loans/use-the-sba-7a-loan-to-buy-a-business This website provides information on how to receive government-backed SBA 7(a) loans
www.uschamber.com/co/run/business-financing/financing-buying-an-existing-business This article from the United States Chamber of Commerce provides a brief overview of different financing options available when buying a closely held business.
www.valuepenguin.com/small-business/how-to-get-loan-to-buy-business This article provides tips on the early steps in the process of getting a loan to buy a closely held business
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Raising equity to purchase a closely held business
www.investopedia.com This site offers information on a wide range of topics. You can search the dictionary and be provided with a definition and related links or click on articles or research tabs for more in-depth answers. Here you can find information relating to valuation, confidentiality, due diligence, letters of intent, and various information about equity financing and many other topics.
www.merchantmaverick.com/the-7-best-equity-crowdfunding-sites-for-businesses-and-entrepreneurs This article provides a list ad reviews of sites offering equity crowdfunding resources for entrepreneurs
www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/raising-private-money-gifts-loans-30078.html Nolo describes itself as being “the leader in do-it-yourself legal solutions for small businesses.” This Website also offers resources such as forms, checklists, articles, and a dictionary on business terminology.
www.thebalancesmb.com/types-of-equity-financing-for-small-business-393181 The Balance Small Business site provides articles with information and guides for many stages of small businesses
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Search funds
www.entrepreneur.com/article/350110 Entrepreneur.com advertises itself as having the “Solutions for Growing Businesses.” This article provides an overview of some newer private equity options, including search funds
www.forbes.com/sites/vanessaloder/2014/08/07/the-search-fund-model-how-to-become-a-twenty-six-year-old-ceo-if-youre-willing-to-kiss-frogs/#5e1dafbc1190 Forbes is a global media company, focusing on business, investing, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership, and lifestyle
www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/centers-initiatives/ces/research/search-funds Stanford Business School publishes many studies on search funds, which can be found on this website.
www.iese.edu/entrepreneurship/search-funds The IESE Business School website provides information about search funds
www.iese.edu/stories/5-tips-for-making-international-search-funds-work This article from IESE Business School provides tips for creating successful search funds
www.searchfund.org This website provides information and resources about search funds
www.searchfundalliance.org The Search Fund Alliance website provides search fund resources and states its goal as “Empowering entrepreneurs to build great companies via the traditional search fund model”