Exit Strategies


Recent Exit Strategies Articles

Business for Sale: North Carolina-Based Photo Studio

By Jill Andresky Fraser |  Apr 1, 2001

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

By Jill Andresky Fraser |  Jan 1, 2001

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?

Nov 6, 2000

Buying a Business or Franchise mentor Tom West responds to the following question from an inc.com user: I own a law firm, and I ...  Read more

The Right Debt Mix

By Jill Andresky Fraser |  Nov 1, 2000

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

By Jill Andresky Fraser |  Nov 1, 2000

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

By Ilan Mochari |  Nov 1, 2000

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

Oct 15, 2000

Statistics about the Inc. 500 class of 2000, gleaned from their Web sites and from their Inc. 500 applications, reveal much about growth...  Read more

Forgoing the IPO in Favor of Selling

By Thea Singer |  Oct 15, 2000

CEO/president: Mitchell Jones Company: W2Com (#162 on the 2000 Inc. 500), in Dayton, Ohio Bus...  Read more

Getting Ready -- and Going -- for the IPO

By Thea Singer |  Oct 15, 2000

CEO: Dave Gould Company: Witness Systems (#88 on the 2000 Inc. 500), in Alpharetta, Ga. Busi...  Read more

Snapshots: Start-up Gluttons

By Emily Barker |  Oct 15, 2000

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

Snapshots: Hall of Fame IPOs

By Roger Fillion |  Oct 15, 2000

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?

By Edward O. Welles |  Oct 15, 2000

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?

Oct 4, 2000

Inc.com's Buying a Business mentor Tom West responds: I'm a business broker, so I can't be 100% objective about this question. But,...  Read more

Recipe for a $40-Million Score

By Arthur Lubow |  Oct 1, 2000

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

Business for Sale: Southeastern Seafood Distributor

By Jill Andresky Fraser |  Oct 1, 2000

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

Sep 1, 2000

If you're thinking about selling your business, it pays to be prepared. Here are some strategies that can help you make the deal: Kee...  Read more

In a Former Life: Anne Beiler

By Ilan Mochari |  Sep 1, 2000

Anne Beiler Present life: Founder of Auntie Anne's, the nation's largest franchisor of pretzel shops. Read more

Business for Sale: Southwestern Mercedes-Benz Service Center

By Jill Andresky Fraser |  Aug 1, 2000

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

Creating and Realizing the Value of a Business

By R. N. Hankin |  Jul 1, 2000

Entrepreneurs start businesses for many different reasons. But anyone who has accepted risk, put out enormous energy (i.e., "sweat equity"), and endured o...  Read more

Business for Sale: Southwestern Baseball Camp

By Jill Andresky Fraser |  Jun 1, 2000

If sports are practically a religion for you, this summer baseball camp could be heaven sent. Profile includes price, valuation methodology, an evaluation of...  Read more

Business for Sale: Maryland Seafood Restaurant

By Jill Andresky Fraser |  Apr 1, 2000

Looking to cook up a deal that will take you away from the corporate grind? Consider this award-winning Maryland restaurant. Profile includes price, valuatio...  Read more

Business for Sale: Mid-Atlantic Vending Route

By Jill Andresky Fraser |  Feb 1, 2000

Looking to buy a business where you can dominate the market? Consider this in-office vending-route business. Profile includes price, how the business was val...  Read more

Business for Sale: Carpet-and-Upholstery-Cleaning Franchises

By Jill Andresky Fraser |  Jan 1, 2000

Looking for a niche where you can really clean up? Consider this 10-year-old carpet-and upholstery-cleaning business. Profile includes price, how the busines...  Read more

How Small Is Too Small for an ESOP?

By Corey Rosen |  Dec 1, 1999

One question frequently asked by company leaders on the topic of employee ownership is Are we too small to have an employee stock ownership plan? ...  Read more

IPO Basics: A Road Map

Nov 1, 1999

Registration Statement Before a company may offer its shares for sale, it must first file a registration statement with the Securi...  Read more

IPO Basics: The Registration Statement

Nov 1, 1999

Registration statements have the following two principal parts: Part I is the prospectus, the legal offering or "selling" document. The "i...  Read more

IPO Basics: Investment Bankers, Underwriters, and Other Key Players

Nov 1, 1999

The Beauty Contest - Investment Bankers Despite its moniker, the beauty contest should not be taken lightly. During this pageant, ...  Read more

IPO Basics: Due Diligence

Nov 1, 1999

During the due diligence phase, the company, its underwriters, and their attorneys will focus on the registration statement. This phase will require the c...  Read more

IPO Basics: Confidential Filings

Nov 1, 1999

Federal securities laws generally require any company that is publicly held or that is registering its securities for public sale to disclose a broad rang...  Read more

IPO Basics: Stock Exchanges and Securities Laws

Nov 1, 1999

Stock Exchanges Founded in 1792, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is home to some of America's best-known corporations. Its rost...  Read more

Legal Distraction Kills IPO

By Susan Greco |  Oct 15, 1999

Company: Optiva Inc. 500 Ranking: #2, 1996; #1, 1997; #81, 1998; #426, 1999 Cause of IPO de...  Read more

Poof IPO Goes Up in Smoke

By Susan Greco |  Oct 15, 1999

Company: SimStar Digital Media Inc. 500 Ranking: #430, 1999 Cause of IPO death: A ...  Read more

Resources for Business Buyers

Oct 1, 1999

Want to know more about valuations, particularly from the viewpoint of buying orselling a business? There is one (and only one) book to buy: The 1999 ...  Read more

Making a Family Balance Sheet

Oct 1, 1999

You've received an offer for your company you can't refuse - but youand your family may want to refuse it. Why? Because you derive manysatisfactions from ...  Read more

Business for Sale: Southeastern Retailer of Nautical Books and Charts

By Jill Andresky Fraser |  Sep 1, 1999

This retailer of nautical books and charts is awash in profits and boasts ample potential. The profile includes price, how the business was valued, outlook o...  Read more