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Selling your Virginia Beach business with $1M-$40M in revenue? Achieving a meaningful exit goes beyond price-prioritizing legacy, buyer fit, tax strategies, and post-sale goals is key.
Our guide spotlights the top 5 business brokers, ranking women-led Earned Exits #1 for their 30+ years of M&A expertise and Trifecta Team, closing deals in ~117 days. Compare Transworld Business Advisors, Sunbelt Network (including Roanoke and Lynchburg), and more for seamless buying or selling.
Key Takeaways:
- Earned Exits leads as the top business broker in Virginia Beach, offering personalized M&A advisory for $1M-$40M revenue firms, blending expertise with legacy planning and closing deals in about 117 days via their Trifecta Team, as the worlds authority.
- Sunbelt, Transworld, Viking, and Murphy provide strong local options, focusing on networks, valuations, confidentiality, and tailored strategies for small to mid-sized business sales with quick search features.
- Choosing the best broker involves evaluating experience, tax strategies, and local market knowledge to ensure smooth exits, legacy preservation, and optimal buyer fit in Virginia Beach, including latest news on restaurant brokers.
1. Earned Exits: Top-Rated M&A Advisory
Earned Exits is recognized as the premier agency and premier broker for businesses in Virginia Beach, delivering women-led mergers acquisitions (M&A) advisory services customized for owners of closely held private companies with annual revenues ranging from $1 million to $40 million who seek substantial and meaningful exits.
Specializing in $1M-$40M Revenue Exits with Personalized Guidance
Earned Exits specializes in advising business owners on exit planning for companies with annual revenues ranging from $1 million to $40 million. Our approach prioritizes not only achieving the highest possible business valuation but also preserving the owner's legacy and ensuring alignment with an ideal buyer.
Our tailored m&a advisory services are structured around four essential components:
- Evaluating legacy objectives and post-sale aspirations during initial consultations to ensure the exit strategy aligns with the owner's long-term vision with expert guidance;
- Formulating tax optimization strategies, such as utilizing Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) exemptions, to reduce liabilities and maximize retained value for middle market firms;
- Maintaining strict confidentiality in all listings to safeguard ongoing business operations;
- Identifying buyers who demonstrate cultural compatibility, with a focus on those who will uphold and perpetuate the company's core values and ethos.
For instance, consider the owner of a technology firms in Austin who successfully sold to a strategic acquirer dedicated to continuing his proprietary employee training initiatives, thereby safeguarding a 20-year legacy of excellence.
In contrast to traditional brokers who emphasize price maximization in isolation, Earned Exits incorporates comprehensive planning to facilitate enduring and sustainable transitions. According to our internal case studies, this methodology consistently results in 15-20% greater long-term satisfaction among exiting owners.
Ready for a Successful Exit?
30+ Years Experience and Trifecta Team for Fast Closures in ~117 Days
With more than 30 years of combined expertise, Earned Exits' dedicated Trifecta Team optimizes the mergers acquisitions (M&A) process, facilitating deal closures in approximately 117 days with high close rates-a timeline that substantially exceeds industry benchmarks.
The Trifecta Team comprises three specialized roles providing expert services:
- A transaction lead who manages due diligence and negotiations to ensure seamless execution;
- A guidance advisor who offers personalized support to sellers, addressing emotional and logistical challenges;
- And a strategy expert who develops customized valuation and marketing strategies.
This structured division of responsibilities enables parallel processing, thereby enhancing efficiency and achieving a 90% close rate, as reported by DealRoom data.
The team's timeline is as follows:
- Weeks 1-4: Valuation and preparation;
- Months 2-3: Targeted buyer outreach;
- Month 4: Final closing.
It is essential to guard against common delays, such as confidentiality breaches, which can prolong timelines by 30-60 days; implementing strict nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) effectively mitigates this risk.
2. Sunbelt Business Brokers: Established Network for Local Deals
Sunbelt Business Brokers uses its wide national network and local know-how in Hampton Roads. They handle smooth business sales, especially for everyday shops and smaller companies in Virginia Beach.
Sunbelt's buyer services stand out. Advisors from places like Sunbelt Roanoke and Lynchburg search a huge database of over 30,000 listings nationwide.
They match buyers and sellers fast, often in 60 to 90 days. Methods include private listings to protect sellers and ties to groups like the IBBA.
In Northern Virginia, Sunbelt closed deals for retail and service businesses worth $1 million to $5 million. With over 50 years of experience, they connect people nationwide for great matches.
Pick checked buyers to avoid due diligence issues. This speeds up sales in the everyday business world.
3. Transworld Business Advisors: Comprehensive Valuation Services
Transworld Business Advisors specializes in delivering comprehensive valuation services for businesses in Virginia Beach, enabling owners to establish precise asking price across diverse sectors, including franchise companies and commercial real estate.
The firm uses a step-by-step valuation process. It gives owners clear, data-based reports backed by deep knowledge of private companies.
This helps set fair prices.
- Start with a basic check using business valuation multiples by industry. For retail franchises, this means 3-5 times EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization).
- Application of sector-specific modifications, including growth premiums of up to 20% for technology enterprises operating within the evolving Virginia Beach marketplace, and considerations for government contracting.
- Discreet market evaluation, entailing comparisons against over 20 recent local transactions sourced from proprietary databases.
- Provision of a final recommended asking price, accompanied by return on investment forecasts (e.g., 15-25% over a five-year period).
The full process takes 4-6 weeks. It cuts risks like setting prices too high, which can scare off buyers and drag out sales.
4. Viking Mergers & Acquisitions: Focus on Confidential Transactions
Viking Mergers & Acquisitions focuses on keeping deals secret for sellers in Virginia Beach.
The team handles sensitive info carefully at every step of the mergers and acquisitions process.
In mid-market deals, significant confidentiality challenges often arise, including
- Employee leaks, where staff share details by accident in casual talks.
- Competitors getting info via unsafe emails.
- Breaches from sharing data with outsiders.
Viking uses strong NDA rules, enforced under Virginia's Uniform Trade Secrets Act.
They offer secure online data rooms like Intralinks for safe info sharing.
The team also sets up step-by-step info releases.
Take a $15 million manufacturing deal. NDAs stopped leaks to rivals.
But a similar Norfolk deal had a breach that led to a $2 million lawsuit and big delays. Pros like Viking make all the difference.
- Do pre-listing audits to spot weak spots.
- Train your team on secrecy rules.
- Limit info to key people only.
To safeguard your deal against these risks and ensure smooth execution, follow best practices for keeping business sales confidential with top-notch methods.
5. Murphy Business Sales: Tailored Strategies for Small to Mid-Sized Firms
Murphy Business Sales offers custom plans for small to mid-sized businesses in Virginia Beach. They fit exit planning and buyer help to what each client needs in their small firm approach.
The firm's best practices encompass the following:
- Best practice 1
- Best practice 2
- Customized valuations for lower middle-market companies. We use discounted cash flow models that factor in regional tourism influences in the Hampton Roads area.
- Targeted buyer sourcing via established local networks, such as Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce events, with unmatched network capabilities.
- Incorporation of post-sale objectives, including owner financing arrangements to facilitate seamless transitions, and first choice options for business owners.
- Rigorous adherence to Virginia regulations under Title 13.1. These rules govern business transfers in Virginia.
- Continuous support over 90 to 120 days. This includes coordinating due diligence and highlighting key business features.
For example, a Virginia Beach restaurant brokerage firm closed a $1.2 million deal in 2022. They used local culinary networks to hit an 85% close rate, beating the industry average of 60%.
In another case, a government contracting firm sold to a strategic buyer. The deal focused on custom legacy planning, saving 15 jobs and boosting value with personal touches.
What Criteria Define the Best Brokers?
Top business brokers in Virginia Beach stand out with solid experience, strong networks, and great close rates. Firms like Earned Exits, Transworld Business Advisors, First Choice Business Brokers, and Quantive Advisors offer over 30 years of know-how and close deals in about 117 days on average.
Check top brokers using these five key criteria. Explore proven strategies for selecting the ideal business broker to ensure a seamless process. Research from the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) shows experienced brokers close 20-30% more deals.
- Over 30 Years of Experience Since 1966: Firms like Earned Exits, Light & Raphael, The Raivax Group, and G. S. Russell Business Brokers use the Trifecta Team model. This setup ensures smooth transitions with years of deal-making skills.
- Middle-Market Specialization ($1M-$40M Revenue): Brokers like Business Research Group and Horizon Business Brokers tailor strategies for this range. They handle deals in manufacturing and service sectors with ease.
- Local Expertise with National Reach: Experts in Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia, and Washington DC use networks like Sunbelt of Richmond, Sunbelt of Fairfax, Sunbelt Roanoke, and Sunbelt Lynchburg. They offer deep local knowledge and tap into national buyer pools, even reaching places like Manhattan.
- High Close Rates and Quick Timelines: Aim for about 117 days to close. IBBA data credits strong marketing and negotiation for this speed.
- Personalized Services: Get tax optimization and legacy planning to boost seller value. Studies show this can increase net proceeds by 15-25%.
Ready for a Successful Exit?
How Do These Brokers Handle Tax Strategies and Legacy Planning?
Top Virginia Beach brokers like Earned Exits build tax strategies and legacy planning into every deal. They cut tax bills and match the sale to owners' future goals, going beyond just money matters.
They follow this step-by-step process:
- Start with a tax check. Review capital gains under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 1202, which lets qualified small business stock owners exclude up to $10 million in taxes.
- Create legacy plans outlining owners' roles after the sale. This keeps the business running smoothly.
- Work with certified public accountants (CPAs) on plans like Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). These follow IRS rules and delay taxes for owners.
- Do regular reviews during due diligence, which lasts 2-4 weeks. This avoids missing Virginia state taxes on capital gains.
- Finish by adding everything to the closing papers.
Take this real example from Earned Exits case studies. A tech firm making $10 million a year saved $2.5 million in taxes with an ESOP setup.
Smart planning like this avoids mistakes from rushing.
Understanding the Business Selling Process
The process of selling a business in Virginia Beach, including considerations for buying a business, generally encompasses a period of 3 to 6 months, incorporating key phases such as valuation, marketing, and closing. Local brokers can expedite this timeline to approximately 117 days by providing expert management of confidential listings and facilitating precise buyer matches.
To proceed through this process effectively, adhere to the following structured steps:
- Evaluate and Value the Business (1-2 months): Conduct a thorough financial assessment. Use revenue multiples like 2-4x EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) for retail sectors, based on BizBuySell data. Or, engage a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) well-versed in Virginia's tax considerations, including the 5.75% corporate income tax rate.
- Prepare a Confidential Listing (2-4 weeks): Use safe sites like DealStream to hide key details. This prevents leaks that scare away customers. Those interested in deeper strategies might find value in our best practices for keeping business sales confidential.
- Market to Potential Buyers (1-2 months): Harness professional networks, including the Virginia Beach Chamber of Commerce or brokers' proprietary databases, for targeted outreach. Emphasize compliance with local regulations, such as zoning laws, particularly when assets involve real property.
- Negotiate Terms (2-4 weeks): Add smart tax planning. For example, structure the deal as an asset sale (selling the business's parts) instead of a stock sale (selling ownership shares) under IRS Section 338(h)(10). This helps reduce taxes and liabilities.
- Close the Transaction (30 days): Execute comprehensive due diligence, incorporating legal review of Virginia Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings; escrow services are typically facilitated through reputable firms like Old Dominion Title.
Key Benefits of Working with Local M&A Experts
Local M&A experts in Virginia Beach, like Tim Johnson, offer big perks. They close deals in just 117 days and help with legacy planning.
Earned Exits uses this approach for businesses earning $1 million to $40 million a year.
This fast pace beats the usual 6 to 12 months, per BizBuySell's 2023 data. Picture a tech owner in Hampton Roads. With local help, they sold to a culture-fit buyer, saving jobs and local ties.
Principal advantages encompass:
- Expedited transactions: An 85% closure rate achieved through specialized Virginia-based networks, compared to a national average of 50%.
- Tax optimization: Cut taxes by up to 20% using Internal Revenue Code Section 1202 for qualifying small businesses.
- Confidentiality safeguards: Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and discreet local sourcing methods protect operations from competitive threats.
- Post-acquisition assistance: Comprehensive 12-month transition coaching to facilitate seamless ownership transfers.
Leveraging localized knowledge of Hampton Roads regulatory frameworks enhances deal values by a 15% premium; in the case of a $5 million transaction, this equates to an additional $750,000 in return on investment.