PGP Advisory’s Business Beat – August 2023
Entrepreneur’s Corner: The Benefits of an Advisory Council
Experts recommend considering adding an advisory council to your business. This informal board would provide strategic advice on business management related issues. An advisory council would be in place to provide advice to your business, but unlike a board of directors, they will not actually make the key decisions. Further, while a board of directors often has equity in the business, an advisory council does not. Of course, an advisory council is not right for every business. You will typically see them in businesses that are making $3M-$25M.
The advisory council can identify and help address blind spots that will strengthen your business. They are an excellent resource as you scale and spend more time working on the business than in it.
Learn More About the Benefits of Advisory Council
Passive Investor’s Playbook
Recently, PGP Advisory had great conversation with Charlie Hardage on the Passive Investor’s Playbook. We explored the power of business + commercial real estate investments to build diversification into investors’ portfolios.
Click Here to Listen to the Podcast!
Going Global
PGP Advisory was honored to participate in a roundtable with Madam Under Secretary Lago of the U.S. Department of Commerce and distinguished San Antonio business leaders to discuss how the department and U.S. Commercial Service offices around the world can partner with the local business community to help unrepresented businesses grow through access to global markets.
The takeaway- the US Commercial Services is one of those best kept secrets that needs to be revealed. They want to help. They can open doors overseas that smaller businesses can’t on their own. Stay tuned…we ultimately want everyone to have access to “the room where it happens.”
Learn More About the U.S. Department of Commerce for International Trade
Active Business Listings
Are you searching for a business to buy? Join PGP Advisory’s exclusive network to receive regular alerts on businesses available for sale. You’ll be the first to know about new opportunities. Receive our Active Business Alerts by subscribing via the link below! Check out a snapshot of our current inventory:
High Growth Mexican Restaurant with Multiple Locations
Price: $740,000
Cash Flow: $425,000
Location: San Antonio, TX
Profitable Boutique Fitness Gym with Integrated Smart Gym Tech. Deal
Price: $500,000
Cash Flow: $80,000
Location: San Antonio, TX
Subscribe to PGP Advisory’s Active Business Alerts
Successfully Sold: Barkingham Palace
PGP Advisory served as the exclusive sell-side broker on the sale of Barkingham Palace, a 68-Kennel Pet Boarding and Training business to a Private Buyer.
Deal Highlights:
- Successfully negotiated a win-win deal structure and terms with a strategic buyer
- Sale included both business assets and associated real estate
- Excellent group of deal professionals facilitate a smooth transaction
- Industry, region, and business are positioned for future growth
“As owners seeking an informed exit strategy for our business of 18 years, it was important to us to find an experienced business advisor to navigate the complex, multi-faceted business sale process. Jason Brown had the most methodical approach for the sale of our business and the associated real estate. Jason demonstrated consistent strength in his attention to detail, consistent communications, problem solving negotiations and closing a deal with an amazing buyer that met our exit goals. We highly recommend PGP Advisory to all business professionals seeking the best in all the business services they offer.” (PGP Advisory’s Client)
Advisor Spotlight: Meet Ken
Senior Business Broker
Ken Powers brings more than twenty years of experience helping small and large companies create value through enabling sales growth and driving operational efficiencies. His corporate experience spans a wide range of industries including Healthcare, Technology, Aerospace and Defense, and Automotive. Ken brings expertise in strategy development and implementation, business transformation, and process improvement. Based out of Chicago, he is a seasoned executive who is ready to guide you and your business to the next level.
Ken earned his M.B.A from the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business with concentrations in Strategy and Finance. He earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University.
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PGP Advisory Announces Sale of Revered Adult Day Care Center
San Antonio, TX (August 2023) – PGP Advisory is proud to announce the sale of an established Adult Day Care Center in McAllen, TX to a private buyer with ties to the local community. This transaction marks not only a successful business transfer but also an opportunity to build upon the exceptional care and support for adult populations and their families in the McAllen community.
This adult care center has served the community with compassionate care for many years, providing a nurturing and engaging environment for adults requiring day care. The acquiring team brings complimentary experience in education, business, and a strong their local presence with a shared commitment to the center’s values and mission. The buyers intend to build upon the facility’s rich legacy, expand its reach, and continue to positively impact lives.
Thank you to all parties involved in completing this sale.
For more information on how PGP Advisory can assist you in buying or selling a business, please contact us at (210) 580-4178. We look forward to helping you achieve your business objectives.
About PGP Advisory:
PGP Advisory is a leading business brokerage and M&A Advisory firm dedicated to helping entrepreneurs buy and sell businesses across various industries. With a team of experienced professionals and a commitment to exceptional service, we partner with business owners to navigate the complexities of the sale process to achieve their desired outcomes.
Disclaimer: This announcement is for informational purposes only. Any information regarding the sale of the adult day care center business is subject to the terms and conditions agreed upon by the parties involved.
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PGP Advisory Announces the Successful Sale of Barkingham Palace
Marble Falls, TX (June 2023) – PGP Advisory is delighted to announce the successful sale of the area’s leading Pet Boarding and Training business- Barkingham Palace- which provides exceptional care and accommodation for dogs and cats in Marble Falls and the surrounding areas. PGP Advisory served as the exclusive sell-side advisor on the transaction. Managing Partner, Jason Brown (TX LIC# 719537), served as the seller’s real estate agent on the associated sale of the kennel’s 7.5 acres of property and improvements.
The pet resort business, known for its commitment to the highest levels of pet care, has been an integral part of the local community for many years. Its exceptional reputation and loyal customer base have made it a highly sought-after investment opportunity. After an extensive search for the right buyer, we are excited to have found the perfect match.
Our experienced business brokers managed the sale process seamlessly, ensuring a smooth transition for both the previous owner and the new proprietor. The buyer, a dedicated animal lover and experienced entrepreneur in the pet services space, brings a wealth of expertise to this venture, and will continue to build on the company’s well-established dog boarding and training capabilities.
The success of this deal resulted, in part, from the strong demand for well-run businesses in the pet industry, driven by the growing number of pet owners and their desire for reliable, safe pet care services. We expect to see additional acquisition activity in our region, presenting a fantastic investment opportunity for buyers in the space.
At PGP Advisory, we take great pride in connecting buyers and sellers to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes. Our team of seasoned professionals ensures that every transaction is handled with confidentiality, diligence, and expertise. We are committed to empowering business owners to achieve their goals and helping aspiring entrepreneurs find their dream enterprises.
We would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to both the seller and the buyer of Barkingham Palace. We are confident that the business will continue to thrive under its new management, providing pets with the exceptional care they deserve.
“As owners seeking an informed exit strategy for our business of 18 years, it was important to us to find an experienced business advisor to navigate the complex, multi-faceted business sale process. Jason Brown had the most methodical approach for the sale of our business and the associated real estate. Jason demonstrated consistent strength in his attention to detail, consistent communications, problem solving negotiations and closing a deal with an amazing buyer that met our exit goals. The process was overwhelming for us, but Jason’s calm and friendly approach with all parties involved left us more than confident we were in good hands. We highly recommend PGP Advisory to all business professionals seeking the best in all the business services they offer.” (Seller Client)
For more information on how PGP Advisory can assist you in buying or selling a business, please contact us at (210) 580-4178. We look forward to helping you achieve your business objectives.
About PGP Advisory:
PGP Advisory is a leading business brokerage firm dedicated to facilitating the buying and selling of businesses across various industries. With a team of experienced professionals and a commitment to exceptional service, we empower entrepreneurs and business owners to navigate the complexities of the market and achieve successful outcomes.
Disclaimer: This announcement is for informational purposes only. Any information regarding the sale of the pet boarding business is subject to the terms and conditions agreed upon by the parties involved.
Welcome to 2023: Your Business Guide to Surviving and Thriving the Year Ahead
PGP Advisory certainly hopes you had a joyous holiday season and a Happy New Year. As we enter into 2023, here are some of the challenges we anticipate and our strategic advice on how to combat and prepare for what may be a rocky and windy road ahead.
How to Prepare for Business Challenges in 2023
Reflecting on 2022
Business owners have faced huge challenges and undergone an incredible amount of change over the past few years, and this won’t slow down in 2023. Businesses will have to deal with the aftereffects of the global pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, economic challenges, as well as an ever-faster development of technologies.PGP Advisory has several years experience of ongoing change and evolution of the industry. Below are key challenges to watch out for in the new year and insights into how business owners can prepare for obstacles they may face in 2023.The Looming Recession
As a recession for 2023 is likely probable, entrepreneurs will need to begin preparing their businesses now for the challenges ahead. Sales could slump, budgets could tighten, and securing capital could become a lot harder. Entrepreneurs will need to adjust their expectations from the big venture deals of the past decade.
How to Respond: PGP Advisory highly suggests meeting with your accountant. Now, is the time to audit your books and ensure you have the cash reserves to weather the bad times. Accounting can be an afterthought for new founders, PGP Advisory recommends hiring a third party to audit your books. Business owners should also consider auditing their processes too. When a company is in a high-growth stage, it might adopt ad-hoc systems that are fine for the moment but will need to be revamped in slower months to be sustainable and efficient.
Downturns in Sales
Business owners will likely continue to deal with price adjustments well into 2023. Inflation and interest rates often indicate how willing people are to spend. Consumers are shifting their focus to items they deem essential and highly valuable.
How to Respond: Business owners should consider adapting their business model or figure out the right pricing structure so they can continue to survive. This is a great opportunity to connect with customers to understand their needs. Perhaps there are new avenues for sales opportunities to explore.
Employee Retention, Engagement and Productivity
We’ve been hearing about the “War for Talent” for years, but now it feels like the war is deepening. Companies across industries are facing massive gaps for vital future skills, and they will need to re-skill or up-skill massive sections of their workforce to get ready for the 4th industrial revolution. On top of that, the pandemic has made many people reevaluate their jobs, leading to mass resignations in many sectors.
How to Respond: Create clear channels where employees can raise concerns and health issues. Stay up to date with emerging issues. Perhaps your business can allow flexible working hours to allow employees to attend to personal issues. Encourage employees to keep strict working hours to avoid the common burnout issue. Find out what you can provide for employee mental health support. Additionally, taking steps like hiring people straight out of school, employing low-code or no-code software for critical needs, and instilling cultures of continuous learning.
Accelerated Digital Transformation
Artificial intelligence (AI) is already starting to augment all of our businesses, and that trend will continue to accelerate next year. This is rapidly creating a world of ever-faster technological developments.
How to Respond: Every business must think of itself as a tech business. Companies need to re-design their processes and ensure their people have the skills needed for a world where we increasingly collaborate with and work alongside capable and intelligent machines.
Summary – Stay Flexible
It’s important to keep in mind that there will always be unexpected disruptions in our lives. Businesses should plan for these disruptions and make sure everyone knows how to respond when things go wrong. These unprecedented challenges provide opportunities to stay flexible in the months ahead. The most successful businesses, will be those that adapt quickly.
Guide To Selling Your Business & Building Your Transition Team
“I’m not ready to sell now. I’ve got several years left.” A key follow-up question to ask yourself is: “Is now the right time to sell?” As the Fed continues to raise rates to combat inflation and the risk of recession looms on the horizon, how will your business fair in this environment? We encourage you to consider these external factors when weighing whether or not this is the right time to sell.
Hopefully you’ve read PGP Advisory’s article, “What to Expect When You’re Ready To Sell,” which highlights the preparation timeline and how to set realistic goals for the process.
The team at PGP Advisory has formed a step-by-step guide to ensure businesses are sold at the right time, for the right price, and to the right buyer.
Step 1: Be Informed
Do your research and educate yourself on the selling process. Consult with an M&A advisor.
An M&A advisor will help you establish a strategy tailored to your business and manage the complexities of the sale process so that you can stay focused on running your business. They’ll identify and qualify buyers, secure an offer(s), and negotiate the eventual sale with the best possible terms.
If you’re invested in selling your business for the best possible value, choose a leading M&A advisory firm to broker the deal.
Step 2: Get Your Finances in Order
Purchase price is important, but so are the terms on the deal. Accurate financials can make the difference between getting 80-90% of the purchase price at close (via bank financing) and you becoming the bank (in the form of seller financing) for a significant portion of the purchase price over several years.
Do your due diligence by organizing your bookkeeping and financials and getting ahead of items that could prevent bank financing or slow down the sale (such as sign-off from other shareholders or active lawsuits or legal proceedings).
Consider your business’ employee contracts, intellectual property issues, and federal and state tax requirements. To ensure you have time to fix all potential red flags, hire a third-party accounting firm to assess your financial statements and advise on an exit-friendly tax strategy a year or two before the sale.
Step 3: Get a Business Valuation
Turn to experts (e.g., business brokers, M&A advisors) to understand how much your company is worth and to whom. Value is more than a number on a paper. The value that matters is what a buyer is willing to pay for your business. A trusted advisor will help establish a range that you would expect a reasonable buyer to offer for the business.
Step 4: Build Your Transition Team
“Great things in business are never done by one person, they’re done by a team of people.” – Steve Jobs. Putting together a team early can prevent a lot of stumbling down the road. Here is our list of professionals that business owners should have on their team (before your business goes to market) to smoothly and successfully sell their business:
1) M&A Advisor – Expert on sale strategy and process
2) CPA – Expert on your financials and tax strategies
3) Lawyer – Expert on identifying and managing legal risks with both the business and sale
4) Financial Advisor – Expert on planning for post-sale impact on your overall financial objectives
Summary
As experienced M&A Advisors, we are at the center of your business sale transition team. If the issues are not unaddressed, you will spend valuable time and resources prior to and after the sale trying to “fix” things. Your business is likely your most valuable asset, and building a successful company can take years of time and effort. If you’re considering selling your business at some point, schedule some time to discuss how we can help you make an informed decision – and maximize the price you receive for the sale.
