Planning Your Exit: Key Steps for a Profitable Sale

Planning your business exit may not be top of mind today, but when the time comes, will your business be ready? Whether you're passing it down to family, selling to a strategic buyer, or listing it on the open market, a well-prepared exit can significantly impact your final sale price.

In this video, we break down the key steps to making your business attractive to buyers. By taking action now, you can ensure a smooth transition and maximize your business's value when it's time to move on.

Make Tax Season Work for You: Key Tips for Buyers and Sellers

March marks the start of tax season preparation: a crucial time for both business owners considering a sale and buyers looking for the right opportunity. Whether you're selling or buying, smart financial planning now can save you money and set you up for success.

For Business Sellers: Is It the Right Time to Sell?

📌 Review Your Financials: Tax season is the perfect time to assess your profitability and overall financial health. Strong, well-documented financials can make your business more attractive to buyers.

📌 Understand Tax Implications: Selling a business usually qualifies as a “taxable event”, including capital gains tax payment obligations. Consult with a tax professional to explore strategies for minimizing your tax burden.

📌 Maximize Business Value: If your numbers aren't where you'd like them to be, now is the time to improve cash flow and clean up your records before listing your business for sale.

For Business Buyers: Know Your Tax Benefits



📌 Explore Deductions & Depreciation: Certain business purchases come with tax advantages, such as deductible expenses and depreciation benefits. These can help offset initial purchase costs.

📌 Look into SBA Loan Options: SBA loans offer competitive financing, and some come with tax-deductible interest. Understanding these benefits can help you structure a smarter purchase.

📌 Plan for Ownership Transition Costs: Factor in tax obligations related to acquiring a business, from transfer taxes to legal and accounting fees, so there are no surprises.

💡 Tax season is more than just filing paperwork! It's an opportunity to make informed decisions about buying or selling a business. Take the time to assess your next move!

Sources: Bench, IRS, Smart Asset, US Wealth Management Bank

Spring Cleaning Your Business: A Fresh Start for Growth

Spring isn’t just for decluttering your home. It’s the perfect time to refresh your business, shake off the stagnation of winter, and set the stage for growth. But beyond the usual “organize your files” advice, here are some lesser-known ways to breathe new life into your business:

1️⃣ Audit Your Time-Wasters

What are your operational inefficiencies? Identify repetitive tasks that drain your team’s time and explore automation or delegation. Freeing up even an hour a day could mean major productivity gains over the year. If you can outsource an activity for less than the value of your time it takes to complete it, consider buying back your time and letting someone else do it.

2️⃣ Refresh Your Brand’s First Impression

Your business’s digital presence might be outdated without you realizing it. Review your website, social media bios, and email signatures and ask yourself: do they still reflect your business today? A small refresh (even tweaking a tagline or updating your photos) can make a huge difference in how potential clients perceive you.

3️⃣ Reevaluate Customer Engagement

Spring is a great time to check in with past clients or customers with no strings attached. A quick “How’s everything going?” can re-open doors for future opportunities and show that you value relationships, not just transactions.

4️⃣ Cut the Dead Weight

From outdated software to partnerships that no longer serve your business, take an honest look at what’s holding you back. Ask yourself: “Would I invest in this again today?” If not, it might be time to let it go and make room for better opportunities.

5️⃣ Recharge Your Vision

After months of routine, it’s easy to lose sight of the big picture. Take a step back and revisit your business goals. Are you still on track? Spring is an opportunity to adjust your strategy, set new targets, and reignite your motivation for the rest of the year.



💡 Spring cleaning isn’t just about clearing out the old, it’s about making space for new growth and opportunity. What changes will you make this season?

Stay or Sell? A Q1 Business Check-In

As Q1 comes to a close and spring begins, it’s a great time to step back and evaluate your business’s future. Are you energized by the road ahead, or do you feel it might be time for a change? Instead of coasting through another quarter, take a moment to reflect:

Are you doubling down and growing, or is it time to prepare for an exit? Below are seven key signs for each path:

✅ Signs You Should Keep & Grow Your Business

1️⃣ You’re seeing untapped potential. You’ve identified clear growth opportunities (new markets, products, or partnerships) that you haven’t capitalized on yet.

2️⃣ Your industry is shifting, and you're ready to adapt. You’re excited to innovate and evolve with market changes, rather than feeling overwhelmed by them.

3️⃣ You’re still passionate about solving problems. The challenges in your business motivate you, rather than drain you.

4️⃣ Your financials show room for scaling. You have strong margins, manageable debt, and a business model that could grow with the right investment.

5️⃣ You’ve built a team you trust. Your leadership isn’t carrying all the weight—your team is engaged, capable, and aligned with your vision.

6️⃣ You’re willing to make changes. You recognize what needs improvement (operations, marketing, strategy) and are committed to adjusting for long-term success.

7️⃣ Your business supports your personal goals. Whether it’s financial freedom, flexibility, or impact, your business aligns with the lifestyle you want.

❌ Signs It Might Be Time to Sell

1️⃣ You feel more exhausted than excited. Instead of fueling you, running your business feels like a constant drain with no light at the end of the tunnel. You may be burned out!

2️⃣ Your business relies too much on YOU. If stepping away—even briefly—causes things to fall apart, it may not be sustainable without major restructuring or reorganizing.

3️⃣ Growth requires more than you’re willing to invest. Scaling would require significant financial, time, or energy commitments that you don’t want to make.

4️⃣ Your industry is changing, and you're not sure you want to keep up. If trends or regulations are shifting in ways that make your business less appealing to run, it may be time to exit before value declines.

5️⃣ You’re financially in a strong position to sell. The market is in your favor, and your business is at a peak valuation—a great time to maximize your return.

6️⃣ You’ve lost connection with your “why.” The mission that once drove you no longer resonates, and staying in the business feels like going through the motions.

7️⃣ Other opportunities are pulling you in. Whether it’s a new business, a personal venture, or simply more time for yourself, you’re mentally already halfway out the door.



💡 Not sure which path is right for you? A conversation with a business broker can provide clarity on your options. Whether you choose to grow or sell, the key is making a deliberate, informed decision.

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Thanks for checking out this month’s edition of the First Choice Triangle Tribune! We hope these insights help you take the right steps—whether it’s refreshing your business, preparing for tax season, or considering your next big move.

Any thoughts or questions? We’d love to hear from you! Until next month, here’s to new beginnings and smart decisions.



Warm Regards,

Dale Brunelle
Business Broker