When Should You Start Planning to Sell Your Business? The Case for Five Years Out
If you’re asking when to start planning to sell your business, the practical answer is: five years before you intend to go to market. Most owners are already behind that mark. The five-year window isn’t an arbitrary planning preference. It reflects something specific about what buyers pay premiums for and how long it genuinely takes […]
NC Business Sale Tax Implications in 2026: What’s Shrinking Your Net Proceeds
When a North Carolina business owner sells their company, the tax picture involves at least four distinct layers hitting the same transaction simultaneously: federal capital gains rates, the 3.8% net investment income tax for higher earners, North Carolina’s flat income tax rate, and consequences that flow from entity structure and deal structure choices made long […]
Charlotte’s M&A Market in 2026: Which Industries Are Drawing the Most Buyer Interest
Charlotte’s M&A market in 2026 is active, but buyer interest is not spread evenly across all industries. Commercial and industrial services, healthcare services, and business and tech-enabled services are drawing the strongest buyer demand right now, driven by Charlotte’s specific economic composition: its concentration of financial capital, a wave of corporate relocations, and a well-capitalized […]
SDE vs. EBITDA Multiples: Why the Same Business Gets Two Different Valuations
SDE (Seller’s Discretionary Earnings) and EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) are two different ways of measuring the same thing: the economic benefit a business produces. Because they measure that benefit differently, the multiples applied to each look very different. A business priced at 2.5x SDE and the same business priced at 5x EBITDA can produce identical […]
Benefits of Selling to a Private Equity Group
To some, the topic of selling to private equity groups does not stir positive feelings. Typical headlines tend only to cover ruthless, drama-laden, multi-billion-dollar mega buyouts, which has left a less-than-pleasant impression on most small to midsize business owners. Unfortunately, that is a real disservice. The reality is that for SMBs, acquisitions by private equity […]
Can I sell my business if I have an SBA loan?
Yes, you can sell a business with an SBA loan, but not without taking certain important measures. The most crucial measure is obtaining lender approval. With your bank’s approval, there are three scenarios for selling a business with an SBA loan: 1. Sell for more than you owe. If your business is valued for more […]
M&A Industry Trends: What Sectors Have the Best-Selling Businesses?
Mergers and acquisitions are generally most common in the technology, healthcare, financial services, and retail sectors. But some industries — including manufacturing and finance — saw more M&A action in 2022 than others. This shift resulted in a slight shuffling among the most sought-after business sectors in 2023. As the economy slowed, the end of […]
What is an Earnout? What is a Seller Note? Protections to Consider When Selling a Business
When selling a business, the purchase price can be paid in several ways. Receiving the entire purchase price in cash at closing is, of course, the most straightforward and preferred option for the Seller. But there are business transaction structures where only part of the purchase price will be paid in cash, and the remainder […]
What is the Best Way to Sell Your Business?
Selling a business can be one of the biggest decisions you will make in life, so it is wise to investigate the best way to do it. Simply put, working with a reputable business broker is the best way to sell your business. Business brokers can help you find the right buyer, navigate the selling […]
Business Advisors: Planning for Your Future
Your business likely represents the largest portion of your net worth. With that in mind, it makes sense to consult with a professional advisor who can learn about your business and give you thoughts on how to prepare your business for a future sale. Here at Viking, that is precisely what we do. We have […]
Three Reasons Why 2021 is a Great Year to Sell Your Business
Selling a business in 2021 is a major topic of conversation these days, and the reason may surprise you. The reality is that 2021 could be a great year to sell your business. Read on for three reasons why. 1. Anticipated Tax Increase There is the possibility of a significant increase in the long-term capital […]
What is a business broker, and how can they maximize your business’s value?
Simply put, a business broker is a professional who assists in the buying and selling of businesses. While there are many ways a business broker or advisor can help a seller maximize a business’s value, today we will focus on one in particular: business brokers help you maximize the value of your business by attracting […]
How to Sell a Plumbing Business for Top Dollar
How to sell a plumbing business does not have to be overly complicated, even in today’s economic climate. Buyers are still actively looking for acquisition opportunities, especially in the service industry. Attractive features like expansion opportunities and high dollar jobs make plumbing one of the most sought after sectors within the service realm. There are […]
What’s Your Exit Strategy? Understanding Private Equity Groups
What’s Your Exit Strategy? Understanding Private Equity Groups Selling your business may not be on your mind now, but every owner needs an exit strategy. As a result of The Baby Boomer Effect, over 60% of privately held U.S. businesses will change ownership over the next 10 years. Increasingly, the exit strategy of choice will […]
5 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Business
5 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Business The decisions you make when acquiring a business are essential to a smooth and prosperous transition. Buying a business can be an exciting but complicated process. The decisions you make when acquiring a business are essential to a smooth and prosperous transition. A rewarding progression can be […]
How to Boost the Value of your HVAC Business
These tips can help you maximize the value of your HVAC business and secure the higher sales price. As an entrepreneur, you understand the importance of planning for the future of your business. An entrepreneur’s business is usually the biggest asset they have on their personal financial statement and the constant care and keeping of […]
7 Common Mistakes Sellers Make When Selling Their Business
7 Common Mistakes Sellers Make When Selling Their Business Selling your business is a major life decision. Unfortunately, inexperience and lack of information can prevent an owner from maximizing their hard earned value when its time to sell. By partnering with Viking Mergers & Acquisitions, you can avoid these costly mistakes. 1. Not Knowing the Value […]
For the First Time in Viking M&A History, Buyer Acquires Two Businesses Simultaneously
Viking Mergers & Acquisitions, a well-known M&A firm with five offices serving business owners in the Southeast, has successfully completed the sale of two companies acquired by the same buyer. One of the companies, Coldsells.com, was founded by majority owner Marson Berry in 2010. The company sells commercial coolers and freezers to national retail chains, […]
What the Colonial Pipeline Leak Taught us about Small Business
What the Colonial Pipeline Leak Taught us about Small Business How do high gas prices and shortages affect small businesses? On Monday, September, 12, 2016, a leak in the Colonial Pipeline in Shelby, Alabama resulted in a massive spill of nearly 350,000 gallons of summer-blend gasoline. Ultimately, the leak lead to a partial shutdown of […]
8 Ways to Minimize the Drama in a Family-Owned Business
8 Ways to Minimize the Drama in a Family-Owned Business Emotions can run high when working with relatives; use these 8 tips to minimize the drama. It’s the American Dream: managing a thriving business in an industry you love while employing all your relatives to partake in the prosperity. Wait, what? Is that the American […]