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★ IBB Pre-Sale Consulting

Sell for More.
Exit Readiness.

Most business owners go to market too soon — with messy books, owner-dependent operations, and fixable problems they never addressed. IBB's Exit Readiness program fixes that before you list, so you sell for more and close faster.

Typically 3–12 months before listing
Done alongside your normal operations
No obligation to list with IBB

Most Businesses Sell for Less Than They're Worth

80%
of businesses listed for sale never close. The leading cause: preventable preparation problems that surface during due diligence.
20–40%
average value left on the table when owners sell without preparing. Clean financials, documented SOPs, and reduced owner dependency directly increase sale price.
6–12 mo
is how long it takes to properly prepare a business for market. Owners who start early consistently get better outcomes.

The Cleanup Crew Approach

IBB's Exit Readiness program is James's core differentiator. It's not about just listing your business and hoping — it's about getting your business ready to sell before a buyer ever sees it.

Most brokers take whatever you bring them and list it. IBB works with you before you list to address the things that kill deals, depress prices, and keep businesses on the market for years.

The result: when your business goes to market, it's professionally prepared, financially documented, and positioned to attract serious buyers at the highest defensible price.

Start with a Free Valuation

What Exit Readiness Covers

IBB works through five areas that directly impact what your business sells for and how smoothly the transaction closes.

Phase 01
Valuation & Financial Assessment
Weeks 1–3

Before anything else, we need to know what your business is actually worth and why. This phase establishes your baseline valuation, identifies value gaps, and sets the targets for the preparation work ahead.

Phase 02
Financial Cleanup & Recasting
Months 1–3

Buyers and their lenders scrutinize your financials. Disorganized books, unexplained cash transactions, and missing documentation are the #1 reason deals fall apart or re-trade during due diligence. We address this proactively.

Phase 03
Operations & Owner Dependency
Months 2–5

The single biggest discount buyers apply is for owner-dependent businesses. If you are the business — the relationships, the knowledge, the production — buyers will pay far less or walk away. This phase systematically reduces that risk.

Phase 04
Legal & Compliance Review
Months 2–4

Legal and compliance issues that surface during due diligence kill deals or force price reductions. Addressing them proactively removes the leverage a buyer gains when they discover problems mid-transaction.

Phase 05
Market Positioning & Seller Package
Months 4–6

Once the business is prepared, we build the marketing materials that position it to attract serious buyers at the best price. A professionally prepared seller package signals to buyers that this is a well-run business worth paying for.

Exit Readiness Is Built for Specific Situations

Not every business needs a full Exit Readiness engagement. Here's an honest look at when it makes sense and when it doesn't.

Good fit for Exit Readiness

You're thinking about selling in 1–3 years and want to maximize your outcome
Your books could use some cleanup or your financials are hard to explain
Your business is heavily dependent on you personally
You've never gone through a business sale before and want to be prepared
You want a professional valuation before deciding anything
Your business generates $300K+ in annual revenue

Probably not the right fit

You need to sell immediately with no preparation time
Your business has under $150K in annual revenue
You have a specific buyer lined up and just need a transaction broker
You're not willing to make operational changes before listing
You want to sell as-is and are comfortable with a lower price

Why IBB Does This When Most Brokers Don't

Pre-sale consulting takes more time and more work. Most brokers skip it. Here's why IBB doesn't.

IBB vs. Traditional Broker

We Work Before You List

Most brokers take your business as-is and list it. IBB invests time upfront to prepare your business so it's positioned to attract the best buyers at the best price — not just listed and waiting.

IBB vs. Generalist Advisor

Real Estate Meets Business Brokerage

IBB brings a real estate background to business brokerage — meaning we understand leases, property, and asset value in a way pure business brokers often don't. This matters in asset-heavy businesses and lease-sensitive deals.

IBB vs. National Franchise

One Broker. Full Engagement.

At national firms, you get handed off. At IBB, James handles your sale personally from first conversation through closing. No junior associates, no bait-and-switch. One point of contact the entire way.

Start with a Free Valuation

The first step in any Exit Readiness engagement is understanding what your business is currently worth. The valuation is free, confidential, and comes with no obligation to list.