Michael Cash

Services Provided

Direct: 702-281-4751

When you engage with Benchmark these are the steps to our verified, successful business sale process:

1. AN INITIAL MEETING is scheduled between you and Benchmark Business Advisors so we can get to know each other and gain a solid understanding of our respective businesses.

2. AN IN-DEPTH REVIEW of the financials of your business for the last 3 -5 years. Including current year-to-date profit & loss statements, balance sheet, and prior year tax returns. You must have available for review accurate financial statements in order for us to consider your business for representation (sorry, no exceptions!).

3. BUSINESS VALUATION and/or BROKER PRICE OPINION. We always recommend a formal valuation from a certified business appraiser. This provides us with an “arms-length” unbiased professional opinion of the value of your business. It also gives the buyer much more confidence regarding the information we provide about your business, and will almost always result in a much higher sale price. Another option is a ‘Broker’s Opinion of Value (BOV), a price opinion prepared by the Broker. While this is a less-expensive option, the BOV does not have the same “arms-length” advantage of a formal valuation. In either case, we must identify all owner salary and benefits to prepare an Adjusted Cash Flow & ROI analysis. This analysis is used to establish the true net operating income of the business which will be used as the basis to justify the highest possible selling price.

4. MAXIMIZE THE SELLING PRICE: A key factor to selling a business for the highest price is being able to justify the selling price in a way that is understandable to a buyer and their respective advisors (CPA, attorney, etc.). We utilize tools such as previous comparable business sales, earnings analyses, asset appraisals, real estate values, etc., that may be applicable to your particular business.

5. PREPARATION OF DUE DILIGENCE MATERIALS: Includes, tax returns, FF&E details, any franchise agreements, employee reviews, unnamed customer list by volume, accounts receivable aging report, analysis of asset allocation issues, lease review, lease transfer or new lease requirements etc. Be advised that your business will be subjected to a rigorous due diligence process by any Buyer prior to the close of escrow and we begin preparing for that process immediately.

6. PREPARE ORGANIZED PRESENTATION MATERIALS: Written by the Broker(including Seller input)with the goal of creating Buyer interest and leading to the next step, ie: a meeting with the seller. We focus the presentation on key factors such as: upside potential, business details, organization charts, the businesses operating environment, customers, general market analysis, any customer concentration issues, operating methodologies, key employees and retention strategies, required strategic planning initiatives, and many other topics.

7. MARKET THE BUSINESS FOR SALE: Advertisements for your business will appear on over 125 sites and publications including national business-for-sale internet sites, major newspaper sites, wsj.com-Wall Street Journal, the Benchmark website etc. We also utilize our own proprietary international buyer lists. The goal is to generate many buyers and not rely on just one buyer.

8. SCREEN BUYER PROSPECTS: All potential buyers must sign a non-disclosure statement, fill out a Buyer Profile, provide a photo ID, and are screened for their financial ability to purchase the business.

9. ANSWER THE INITIAL QUESTIONS ALL BUYERS ASK: “Why are they selling? How do they justify the price? Is the income verifiable? What is the upside potential? Is the seller willing to finance the purchase or is other financing available? Is the business reliably able to pay me a reasonable salary, generate a decent ROI, and still pay the debt service?”

10. SHOW THE BUSINESS: Prepare seller for all meetings with pre-screened buyers. Show the business under rigorously-controlled circumstances.

11. ASSIST IN NEGOTIATIONS AND HELP WITH PURCHASE AGREEMENT We are licensed to sell businesses in Nevada and California and generally only represent your interests as the ‘Agent for the Seller’. We handle all negotiation--which are often very detailed and always confidential. We can refer you to the most reasonable and competent local attorneys and other professionals if needed.

12. ASSIST IN DUE DILIGENCE: Contingency releases, timing Issues, franchisor and landlord Issues.

13. ASSIST IN FINANCING: Qualify the business & buyer, SBA pre-qualification of the business, preferred SBA lenders and other sources (401k lenders, etc.)

14. ESCROW & CLOSING: Review escrow documents, UCC searches, release of liens, escrow Instructions, notes, loans, etc.

15. ORDERLY TURNOVER PLAN: Help with licensing, tax bonds, utilities, business services, banking, entity formation, accounting, legal services, insurance, franchise requirements, training plans etc.

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