The seller journey
Clear, practical guides for owners evaluating a business sale—from the first decision through buyer selection, diligence, closing, and transition.
Featured guides
How to Sell a BusinessA complete owner's guide from defining goals through closing and transition.Who Buys Businesses?Compare strategic buyers, private equity, searchers, direct buyers, management teams, and other paths.What Business Buyers Look ForUnderstand earnings quality, recurring revenue, concentration, management depth, and transferability.Direct Sale vs. Business BrokerA balanced comparison of bilateral and broadly marketed sale processes.
1. Deciding whether to sell
Should I Sell My Business?A decision framework built around goals, readiness, risk, timing, and alternatives.How Much Should I Sell My Business For?Separate value, headline price, deal structure, and after-tax proceeds.What Happens After the Sale?Plan for transition, communications, retained obligations, finances, and life after ownership.
2. Understanding buyers and valuation
Who Buys Businesses?Learn how buyer types differ in objectives, financing, diligence, and transition.How Buyers Value a BusinessNormalized earnings, multiples, cash flow, working capital, risk, and structure.What Buyers Look ForThe operating and financial qualities that influence buyer interest.Selling to an Investor or Acquisition CompanyUnderstand investor types, structures, questions, and expectations.
3. Preparing the business
Prepare Your Business for SaleA practical 90-day and 12-month readiness framework.Documents Needed to Sell a BusinessA staged checklist for screening, valuation, diligence, and closing.Confidentiality When SellingUse staged disclosure, buyer qualification, nondisclosure agreements, and controlled communications.
4. Choosing how to sell
Direct Sale vs. Business BrokerCompare reach, fees, confidentiality, seller workload, and process design.How to Sell Without a BrokerDirect buyers, strategic outreach, internal succession, marketplaces, and professional support.Explore a Direct Sale to Duck CreekSee how a conversation with a prospective direct buyer can begin.
5. Offers, diligence, and deal structure
Letter of IntentPrice, structure, working capital, exclusivity, diligence, and binding provisions.Business Sale Due DiligenceWhat buyers investigate and how sellers can prepare.Asset Sale vs. Stock SaleWhat transfers, liabilities, assignments, and tax considerations.Seller FinancingSeller notes, terms, security, subordination, default risk, and tax timing.Taxes When Selling a BusinessStructure, allocation, character of gain, recapture, entity type, and planning.
6. Closing and transition
See whether your business fits
Start with a high-level, non-confidential overview. Duck Creek Capital will consider the information against its acquisition criteria and determine whether a direct conversation makes sense.