Family-owned businesses represent over 80% of all businesses. As a major economic driver of GDP, they play a dominant and important function in many industries. While these businesses thrive on hard family work and shared values, it’s essential to understand the significance of company valuation services in retaining and growing the business legacy. Business valuation is crucial for family-owned companies, providing valuable insights and risk management input to the ownership team. Often, when provided by an independent third party, the feedback can help a family intelligently navigate various current and potentially looming transitional situations such as estate planning to strategic decision-making and potential sales. In this opinion article, we will discover five key reasons why business valuation is essential for family-owned companies.
Five Key Reasons To Consider Company Valuation
Family owned business valuation is the process of estimating a business’ worth when the company is owned and operated by members of the family. This value is essential for a number of reasons, including tax planning, succession planning, estate planning, and possible future firm sales or mergers. To establish an accurate and fair determination, the valuation process necessitates a detailed review of the business’s financial statements, assets, liabilities, and numerous other elements such as key employees, customer concentration, patents, owner involvement, recurring revenue, environmental risks, et cetera. By understanding the significance of company valuation, family-owned businesses can navigate demanding situations proactively, efficiently and confidentially for long-term success.
- Estate Planning And Wealth Transfer
Estate planning and wealth transfer are real and unavoidable factors with family-owned businesses; how to optimize transferring the business down to generations. Accurate business valuation services provide a clear image of the organization’s real worth, potentially aiding in the fair distribution among heirs. By understanding the monetary value of the business, families can make knowledgeable and informed decision regarding how to allocate shares, or other forms of ownership, minimizing potential conflicts (and income tax via a qualified tax advisor!) and ensuring a smooth wealth transfer.
- Principal Shareholder’s Passing
The unfortunate passing of an important shareholder can have enormous implications for a family owned businesses. In such instances, a thorough business valuation, completed in advance, is crucial in determining the price of the deceased shareholder’s stake. Often, the major shareholder may also be a key contributor to the company valuation data and process; their failure to directly participate in the valuation can unintentionally diminish the business value. This type of valuation becomes an essential reference factor for estate settlement, supporting the family and their advisors as they navigate the complexities of inheritance tax, probate, and other financial topics.
- Seller Agreements and Governance Documents
Family-owned businesses frequently have specific governance or shareholder agreements dictating transition, ownership transfer, valuation methodology and business management transition. Business valuation is pivotal in ensuring those agreements remain fair, honest and equitable. Regularly updating valuations can help family members assess the effectiveness of existing agreements as the business value increases, make important modifications, and alter course as necessary to maintain a mutually agreed and harmonious business environment.
- Strategic Planning
Business valuation is not only to prepare for unforeseen instances but importantly use for strategic planning into the future. Knowing the actual value or determining value of a business allows family-owned organizations to make informed choices regarding expansion, diversification, or other strategic initiatives. It serves as a foundation for placing realistic goals, comparing performance, and identifying areas for development.
- Potential Sale
While many family-owned organizations are built and grown to preserve generational wealth, situations may also arise in which potentially selling the business becomes a viable consideration. Whether due to retirement, changing market situations, or various business dynamics, having an up-to-date business valuation is crucial while entering negotiations for a potential sale. An accurate valuation is critical to understand the reasonableness of potential offers. It also enables determining realistic price and terms which will attract strong prospective purchasers and minimize time on the market.
A Client’s Actual Experience:
Your company was highly recommended to me. Jeff Adam met with my wife and me and described all the steps from business valuation services to marketing to sale to closing and to after-sale transition. Over 26 years, I had grown my company to be one of the biggest garage door and gutter companies in Texas. With over 50 employees, I was very concerned about confidentiality and finding the right buyer for the business. We began with a company valuation and I was astonished at the value of my company
Jeff quickly presented many qualified candidates and we sold our business to an excellent company. The sale happened 2 months earlier than expected. As Jeff promised, he put the BIGGEST CHECK OF MY LIFE in my pocket. Coronavirus did not slow us down ! Jeff personally followed up with both the buyer and me regularly during the transition to make sure that everything went well. He was always available, from start to now.
I strongly recommend the Adam Noble Group to anyone considering buying or selling a business!
Windell Chamblee, President, Kodiak DGS Inc
Make Your Family-Owned Business Successful!
Empower your business with only the independent, third party company valuation services at Adam Noble Group LLC. We will confidentially help you prepare for the future and correctly position your strategic planning. Schedule a professional valuation consultation with us now!
During 3 decades of M&A service, Jeff Adam has successfully completed the sale of over 825 businesses and advised or completed 1,000’s of business valuations and exit plans. An entrepreneur in his own right, Jeff has started and grown 12 companies in fields including international finance, B2B services, business valuation, construction, screen printing, Mergers & Acquisitions, engineering, and manufacturing. Jeff has donated his time as a distinguished speaker at numerous national & international conferences since 1977 covering topics such as environmental services, engineering, media, craft breweries, exit planning, business valuation, charitable giving, management, business brokerage and M&A fields.
Jeff is President of Adam Noble Group, LLC, a national M&A Advisory firm, professionally valuing and confidentially selling profitable businesses owned by exit-motivated business owners to qualified strategic, corporate, private equity, partners, management, and first-time buyers. Jeff establishes rapport, builds trust, and educates business owners in the steps to meet their goals as they prepare and achieve the discreet, confidential exit of their business. Jeff exclusively represents sellers of $1M-50M value enterprises and endeavors to transfer their businesses to qualified, capable acquirers who will build upon the seller’s vision, goals, culture, and history. Jeff maintains lifelong repeat and referral relationships with sellers, their acquirers, and service providers.
Adam Noble Group has multiple M&A and business broker specialties: Manufacturing, Defense Industry, Oilfield services, Construction trades, Craft Breweries, Partnership Buyouts, Manufacturing, Service, and Wholesale Distributors.
Our M&A advisors and business brokers are all multi-industry entrepreneurs who have successfully exited their own companies. Jeff has walked in your shoes! Jeff wants to put the BIGGEST CHECK of your life in your pocket! Please contact Jeff, and he will confidentially answer all your questions.
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