Exit Strategies


Recent Exit Strategies Articles

Choosing a Successful Successor

Choosing the next in line doesn't always mean choosing someone like you or even someone you like.  Read more

An IPO for Everyone

According to the cofounder of investment firm Hambrecht Quist, an entirely new way for companies to go public may bring the markets to the masses.  Read more

More Strings Attached

Today, even veteran CEOs are having a tough time raising funds, and what money they do raise comes with a lot of strings attached.  Read more

How do I value a sporting goods store?

According to Buying a Business mentor Tom West, most retail sporting goods stores sell for about 30% of annual sales plus the wholesale value of the inventor...  Read more

Strategic Sales

One way to get capital in hard economic times is to sell off part of your company.  Read more

Business for Sale: Coastal California Art Gallery

Big Sur, big opportunity. Get a great deal on a well-situated California art gallery.  Read more

Business For Sale: Maryland Day Spa

Ever have one of those "Calgon, take me away" moments? Buying a day spa could help you escape from the rat race -- not to mention give you soft, supple skin.  Read more

Business for Sale: North Carolina-Based Photo Studio

The snapshot: this North Carolina-based photo studio has corporate customers any company should shoot for. But when you look at the big picture, does its ask...  Read more

Business for Sale: Midwestern Outdoor-Advertising Company

Here's an eye-catching opportunity: A Midwestern outdoor-advertising company, complete with profitability and growth potential. But like Eva Gabor in Gre...  Read more

How do I sell my professional service firm?

Tom West, inc.com's Buying a Business or Franchise mentor, offers advice for increasing the sale value of a law firm.  Read more

The Right Debt Mix

The question of whether debt increases or decreases a company's value has no one-size-fits-all answer, but here are some guidelines as you think about your o...  Read more

Giving Credit to Debt

You may think of debt as a drag on your business. But that's not necessarily how the experts see it.  Read more

How to Take Stock

If you're thinking about taking equity instead of cash as payment for services, here's a checklist of things to consider.  Read more

Inc. 500 CEOs and the Future

A survey of the Inc. 500 CEOs and how they view the future.  Read more

Forgoing the IPO in Favor of Selling

Mitchell Jones made the decision to sell his five-year-old company on the heels of trying to buy somebody else's. The next logical step would have been an IP...  Read more

Getting Ready -- and Going -- for the IPO

Dave Gould had the wisdom to know that an IPO was the best way to finance Witness Systems's international expansion and new product development.  Read more

Snapshots: Start-up Gluttons

Learn about three Inc. 500 entrepreneurs who have each founded several start-ups.  Read more

Snapshots: Hall of Fame IPOs

An overview of what has happened to six Inc. 500 Hall of Fame companies since they embarked on an IPO.  Read more

Growth: How Fast Is Too Fast?

An overview of the 2000 Inc. 500 list shows that companies today are growing at a stunning pace. But when exactly does fast become too fast?  Read more

Should I use a business broker?

Tom West, inc.com's Buying a Business mentor, offers advice for working with business brokers or intermediaries.  Read more

Recipe for a $40-Million Score

Read how a highbrow, charismatically challenged chef built a restaurant empire and cashed out big.  Read more

Business for Sale: Southeastern Seafood Distributor

Angling for a new business opportunity? Consider this well-established distributor of fresh and frozen seafood. Priced at a rather appetizing level, this bus...  Read more

Tips on Selling a Business

Thinking of selling your business? Read these six smart tips first.  Read more

In a Former Life: Anne Beiler

Anne Beiler, founder of pretzel shops franchisor Auntie Anne's, discusses the business lessons she learned as a waitress.  Read more

Business for Sale: Southwestern Mercedes-Benz Service Center

Looking for a deal that will rev up your engines? Consider this independent Mercedes-Benz service-and-repair center. Profile includes price, valuation method...  Read more