Going through the process of buying a business is an exciting time. You might envision your name on the desk with the word “owner” next to it. Perhaps you’ll start planning your future around the freedom your new position will…
Buyers usually prefer to purchase the assets of the business including intellectual property, the right to use the name, telephone number, websites and all the tangible assets. If purchasing the assets at market value the buyer may be able to achieve a greater depreciation expense going forward and reduce their taxes in future years.
There are generally four ways to become a business owner: 1. Start your own business; 2. Take over a family-owned business; 3. Buy a franchise; 4. Buy an existing operating business. Each option has its own level of risk.
Canada’s small business owners take the risks and provide the imagination, the capital, and the energy that drives the economy, jobs and wealth in Canada. But they don’t get the respect they deserve, especially when it comes to funding for acquisition and growth.
In the last post, we talked about financing the purchase of a business through a bank loan (unlikely), through a Canada Small Business Loan (CSBL), a hybrid structure using a CSBL, and a seller note (preferred choice). Today we’ll explore other approaches.
The Process of Selling a Business