Selling a business is the most complex financial transaction most owners will ever make. Here's exactly how the process works — and how IBB guides you through every step.
Most business sales take 6–12 months from engagement to close. Here's what happens at each stage — and what IBB does to protect your interests throughout.
Every engagement starts with a free, confidential conversation — no paperwork, no obligation. IBB learns your goals, your timeline, and your business. From there, IBB conducts a professional valuation using your financials, industry multiples, and current comparable transactions.
Most businesses that fail to sell — or sell for less than expected — had fixable problems that nobody addressed before listing. IBB's Exit Readiness process gets your business market-ready first.
Your business is marketed through a blind profile — enough detail to attract serious interest, not enough to identify you or your business. IBB targets qualified buyers through our network, strategic databases, and relevant listing platforms.
When a qualified buyer is ready to move forward, they submit a Letter of Intent (LOI). IBB reviews the offer structure, negotiates on your behalf, and ensures the deal is structured to protect your interests — including payment terms, transition period, and non-compete clauses.
After an accepted LOI, the buyer conducts formal due diligence — reviewing your financials, operations, legal standing, contracts, and assets. IBB manages this process, controls document flow, and keeps the transaction on track.
The Purchase Agreement is finalized, signed, and the transaction closes through escrow. IBB coordinates with the escrow officer, buyer's lender, attorneys, and any other parties to ensure a smooth close and successful transition.
When you work with IBB, you're not getting a listing agent. You're getting a full transaction team.
A written Opinion of Value based on your actual financials, current multiples, and comparable San Diego transactions — not a number pulled from thin air.
A professional Confidential Information Memorandum that presents your business in its best light — compelling, accurate, and structured for lender and buyer review.
Blind profiles, NDA-gated buyer access, and targeted outreach — your employees, customers, and competitors stay in the dark until you're ready.
Every buyer is vetted for financial capacity and genuine intent before they see a single confidential document. No tire-kickers accessing your books.
James negotiates on your behalf — price, terms, transition period, non-compete, seller financing, and every other detail that affects your outcome.
IBB manages the closing timeline, coordinates with escrow and lenders, and ensures the transition goes smoothly — for you and for the buyer.
Confidentiality isn't a courtesy — it's the core of how IBB operates. A breach of confidentiality can cost you employees, customers, and leverage before a deal is even signed.
No buyer sees any identifying information — business name, address, financial details — without first signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement. This applies to every buyer, every time.
Your business is marketed through a carefully written blind profile — enough detail to attract qualified buyers, not enough to identify your business to someone who knows the market.
When — and whether — your staff finds out is entirely your decision. IBB structures the process to protect confidentiality for as long as you choose, and supports whatever approach you take when it's time.
Vendors and customers who learn a business is for sale sometimes panic and pull out. IBB's process protects those relationships until a deal is signed and transition is managed.
Start with a free, confidential valuation. No pressure — just a real conversation about your business, your goals, and what a successful exit looks like for you.