Crowne Atlantic Business Brokers

When buying a business in Central Florida, the due diligence process separates serious buyers from tire-kickers. At Crowne Atlantic Business Brokers, we’ve facilitated over 700 transactions in the Orlando area, and we’ve seen firsthand what happens when sellers are prepared versus when they’re caught off guard. Due diligence is the period after a purchase offer is accepted when buyers dig into every aspect of the business. It’s part learning process and part inspection. Business sellers sometimes view this stage as a trust issue, but it’s not personal—it’s smart business for a buyer, and the process can help both buyer and seller ultimately. Even honest sellers occasionally discover legitimate errors in their financials that buyers uncover during this review. These discoveries ultimately benefit everyone involved in the acquisition. Recently, a seller we were working with found out that the business they’re selling earns an additional $80...

One of the most common questions we get asked by business owners is what their tax liability will be when they sell a business in Florida. They want to know how much they will net from the sale of their business after paying off fees, equipment, and other closing expenses. One expense that is often overlooked is the capital gain tax. Many sellers are so eager to sell that they forget about this expense. This is because the capital gains tax is not paid at closing, and it doesn’t affect the business transaction until tax time. Understanding how capital gains tax works is essential for any business owner preparing to exit their company. Understanding Capital Gains Tax When Selling A Florida Business When a seller sells a business in Orlando or any other area, capital gains tax is applied to the actual profit from the sale, not the equity invested in the business. As a very basic example, if a seller spent $50,000 to build their business and sold it for $70,000, capital gains t...

This complete guide walks you through how to sell a machine shop for the best possible selling price — whether you operate a precision CNC operation, fabrication business, or full-service contract manufacturing facility. Understanding the Machine Shop Market The American manufacturing sector continues to evolve, and with reshoring and supply chain diversification in full swing, buyers are actively seeking established machine shops with strong customer relationships, skilled teams, and reliable production processes. Even if your business isn’t growing rapidly, it may still be highly valuable to buyers. Buyers may be looking for shops with consistent output, steady cash flow, and diverse client bases. Demand is especially strong for facilities that serve aerospace, medical device, energy, and defense industries — including automotive and nuclear applications. What Determines Your Machine Shop’s Value? Several key factors influence how much your machine shop is worth and affe...

When valuing a business for sale, two financial metrics dominate the conversation: Adjusted EBITDA and Seller’s Discretionary Earnings (SDE). Understanding the difference between SDE and EBITDA is critical for business owners preparing to sell. Both metrics tell a story about a company’s profitability, but they speak to different kinds of buyers and deal structures. Knowing which valuation metric to use and what it truly represents can make or break your sale outcome. As business brokers, we can tell you this: the right metric for your business depends on its size, structure, and day-to-day operations. Let’s break down SDE vs EBITDA so you can position your business correctly from the start. What Is Adjusted EBITDA? Adjusted EBITDA stands for Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization, but with one key refinement: normalization. This metric is used to value mid-sized businesses and larger companies with professional management teams in place. EBITDA beg...

Selling a small business is one of the most significant financial decisions you’ll make as a business owner. Whether you’re ready to retire, pursue new opportunities, or simply move on to the next chapter, understanding how to sell your small business successfully requires careful planning and execution. The process can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach and preparation, you can achieve a successful sale that meets your financial goals. Develop a Solid Exit Strategy Before you even think about putting your business on the market, you need an exit strategy in place. Many business owners wait until they’re burned out or facing a crisis to make the decision to sell, which rarely leads to optimal outcomes. A well-planned exit strategy should begin years before you actually intend to sell your business. Your exit strategy should outline your timeline, financial goals, and what you want to accomplish from the sale of your business. Are you looking to maximize the sale ...