Buy What You Helped Build

How Key Employees Can Own the Future

Are you a key employee in a business you've helped to build and thrive?

Your boss, the current business owner, is likely speaking to business listing brokers behind the scenes to sell the business.

They often don't want the employees to know that they're selling the business.

They want the business operations to continue as a status queue, profitable and seamless, making it attractive to outside proposed buyers.

As the Key Employee, how does that make you feel?

If you're worried about what might happen if the business you helped build is sold to someone outside the company, it might be time to consider making an offer to secure its future—and your own.

Why Should You Consider Buying the Business?

• Community Roots: You've been integral in weaving your company into the fabric of the community. Taking ownership means keeping those connections alive.
• Preserve What Matters: You understand what makes your company special. Buying the business helps ensure that its mission and culture continue.

How Can You Start the Process?

• Make Your Interest Known: Let the current owner know you're interested in buying. It could open up a conversation that leads to a big opportunity.
• Explore Financing: With SBA loans, there’s an option for Key Employee buy-out with 100% financing. This means you might not need personal funds upfront to buy the business.
• Sweat Equity: Your hard work over the years helping build up the small business you've worked for as the key employee is worth more than the cash.

Benefits of Buying As a Key Employee

• Smooth Transition: You already know the business inside out. This makes for a seamless change in ownership.
• Secure Your Future: Owning the business secures your job and creates new opportunities for growth and additional income.

Steps to Take the Lead

1. Express Interest: You can start by discussing your interest with the current owner. They might be relieved to pass the torch to someone they trust. They'll also save time and significant costs by not having to pay a brokerage firm to list the business on the market.
2. Understand the Value: Understand the business's worth clearly. This will help you negotiate a fair price.
3. Seek Professional Advice: Engage with a business acquisition SBA loan consultant and legal experts specializing in business acquisitions. Does this business reflect sufficient free cash flow in the business tax returns to support your SBA loan project payment to buy it?

Making It Happen

Buying the business you've helped to build isn’t just a purchase—it’s stepping up to ensure its legacy. Here’s how to make it successful:

• Get Financing in Place: Look into SBA-backed loans covering up to 100% of the purchase price.
• Plan for the Transition: Work with the current owner to ensure a smooth handover while preserving the business’s operations and culture.

Think about it: who better to lead the business into the future than you?

If you’re ready to take this step but unsure where to start, I’m here to help.

With years of experience facilitating these transitions, I can guide you through every step of the process. Contact me at [email protected] .

All the key employees out there should consider making the offer.

You could preserve the job and company culture you love while building a remarkable future for yourself and your community.

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Deb Curtis is a dedicated ally for business buyers, prequalifying and sourcing the best SBA-backed loan projects.

With an extensive background as an SBA lender previously employed by various banks and non-bank lenders, she saw the need for a positive change in Main Street business acquisition lending to protect buyers.

Frustrated by banks' credit policies and politics, she founded her consulting firm in 2018.

Known for her integrity, loyalty, and transparency, Deb focuses on quality over quantity in business acquisition loans, ensuring seamless ownership transitions for her clients.

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