For Business Owners Planning Their Exit
The Real Reason Most Businesses Don’t Sell And Why It Has Nothing to Do with Profit
April 14 2025
It’s not about your numbers – it’s about understanding the hidden factors that determine whether your business will sell for top dollar
What You Will Learn
Discover the top factors that influence your business's salability.
Learn how to position your business to attract premium buyers.
Avoid common pitfalls that reduce business valuation.
Real Results. Real Business Owners.
Trusted by Smart Owners Planning Their Exit
✅Over $400 million in successful exits advised
✅20+ industries served
✅Average valuation lift: 28%
93+
Business Exits
473+
Million in Successful Exits
25+
Industries Served
3000+
Valuations
How We Helped Linda Add Over $400K in Value to Her Med Spa Before She Sold It
Let me tell you a story most business owners can relate to.
Linda was burnt out.
She’d built a successful med spa from the ground up. 8 years of long days, weekend calls, managing staff, handling customer complaints, juggling vendor contracts, and doing everything herself—from marketing to payroll. And like many owners, she hadn’t taken a real vacation in years. She came to us with a familiar feeling: she was ready to move on.
She wasn’t sure exactly when—or even how—but she knew she didn’t want to be running the business another year.
And like most business owners, Linda thought her exit would be simple. List the business. Find a buyer. Sign a contract. Move on.
But here’s what she didn’t realize (and what most don’t):The way you run your business is not the way you sell your business. When Linda came to us, she believed her med spa was worth around $1.2 million. Her numbers looked strong—around $350K in seller’s discretionary earnings. But buyers didn’t see it that way. The first buyer offered $750K. The second one walked after asking for three years of clean financials. The third was a tire kicker, offering less than the equipment was worth. That’s when she hired us.
What We Discovered in the First Week!
We did a deep dive into Linda’s operations. Here's what we found:
Personal and business expenses were mixed. Spa retreats, home Wi-Fi, and car payments were showing up on the books. The customer data was a mess. No centralized CRM. Repeat clients were tracked manually. No SOPs for procedures. Everything lived in Linda’s head or in sticky notes on the wall. No documented contracts. Vendors and team members were on handshake deals or outdated PDFs. Her Google ads were being run by her niece. And let’s just say the results were... not great.
In short: It was a good business—but it wasn’t buyer-ready. So we rolled up our sleeves.
How We Engineered a 6-Figure Valuation Boost First, we separated out every personal expense. Linda's CPA helped us recast the financials to show true earnings.
Then, we: Set up a proper CRM and uploaded 3,000+ customer records. Implemented standardized operating procedures (SOPs) for every treatment. Helped her create employee agreements and vendor contracts. Put together a clean, visual P&L and cash flow statement. Hired a real ad agency to run lead gen campaigns that actually converted.
Next, we created a Quality of Earnings (QoE) Report. This let buyers see where the money was coming from, how consistent it was, and what the future potential looked like. Finally, we reworked her story. Instead of “a tired owner trying to get out,” buyers now saw: “A streamlined, high-margin, turnkey med spa in a growing suburban market with over 65% recurring revenue.” That’s when the real offers came in.
The Result: A $1.62M Sale (and Peace of Mind)After 90 days of prep work and strategic positioning, Linda’s business attracted three qualified buyers. Two of them made offers. One of them offered exactly what we targeted: $1.62 million, paid over 12 months with 75% upfront and the rest tied to performance metrics she felt confident she’d hit. She signed the deal. She took a real vacation. And she left with more money—and more peace—than she ever expected.
Why This Matters for You If you're thinking of selling your business—whether now or in 12–24 months—you have more control than you think. You can’t control the economy. You can’t control buyers. But you can control how your business is perceived, packaged, and positioned.
That’s what we do. We help owners exit smart, not desperate. We help you engineer your exit—not react to it. And if you’re reading this, it’s likely because something inside you knows your time is coming.
Learn how to position your business to attract premium buyers.
Join the Webinar Now
5 - Star Review
Anthony and his team helped me understand exactly what buyers were looking for. We cleaned up the financials, positioned the story, and exited for 35% more than the offers I was getting on my own.
— Linda P., Med Spa Owner
5 - Star Review
I was expecting to sell for $750K. After working with Anthony, we went to market the right way—and sold for $1.2M. The valuation-first strategy works.
— J. Martinez, HVAC Business Owner
5 - Star Review
I had no clue how buyers think. This process flipped my perspective. I didn’t just get a buyer—I got competing offers.
— Mark D., Multi-Location Retail Operator
Learn how to position your business to attract premium buyers.
Join the Webinar Now
Why Work with Anthony Rivas — The Best Business Advisor in Town
Valuation-First Strategy
Before anything else, Anthony helps you understand
what your business is truly worth
—so you don’t leave money on the table or price yourself out of the market. Everything starts with clarity.
Proven Track Record of Exits
From med spas to retail stores to service businesses, Anthony has helped business owners sell for
25%–40% above their initial valuation expectations
—by thinking like a buyer and planning like a strategist.
Certified and Experienced
Anthony holds an International Business degree, has 3+ years of hands-on M&A experience, and is earning his
Certified Business Intermediary (CBI)
designation—making him one of the most trusted and educated professionals in the field.
Specialist in Exit-Ready Packaging
He doesn’t just “list” your business—he engineers the story, cleans up the books, builds the buyer pitch, and helps you present a business that looks like a high-return investment.
Obsessed with Your Outcome
Anthony doesn’t just chase commissions—he’s focused on helping owners exit with peace, pride, and profit. That means advocating for what’s in your best interest—even if it means walking away from a bad deal.
Strategic Deal Structuring
Whether it’s seller financing, SBA-backed buyers, or creative earn-outs, Anthony knows how to structure a win-win deal that gets more buyers at the table—and better terms for you.
Industry Insight Across 20+ Sectors
From HVAC and Med Spas to SEO firms and construction, Anthony has deep insights into what buyers in your industry are looking for—and how to maximize appeal.
National Buyer Network
He works with an extensive database of vetted, serious buyers across the U.S.—including private equity groups, strategic acquirers, and qualified individuals ready to close.
Transparency & No-Fluff Communication
You won’t get sugar-coated estimates or vague promises. Just straight answers, backed by market data, experience, and integrity.
You’ll Feel Like You Have a Partner—Not Just a Broker
Most brokers list and forget. Anthony walks you through every step—from valuation to deal negotiations—like your business is his own.
Learn how to position your business to attract premium buyers.
Join the Webinar Now
The 3-Step Exit Prep Process
We start with a valuation-first approach—based on financials, market comps, and buyer psychology—so you have real clarity.
Before we talk about selling, we talk about maximizing.
We help you get your financials deal-ready—from recasting income to removing red flags—so buyers see confidence, not chaos.
You’ll know what to fix before the deal is on the table.
When a buyer sees disorganized numbers, they assume risk… and slash their offer—or walk away entirely. Even great businesses lose value if the story isn't clean.
We help you get your financials deal-ready—from recasting income to removing red flags—so buyers see confidence, not chaos.
You’ll know what to fix before the deal is on the table.
You’re ready to exit—but finding the right buyer feels like searching in the dark.
Most business owners either overpay a broker to blast the listing everywhere… or worse, quietly list and hear crickets. The result? Lowball offers or no offers at all.
Aug 21, 2022 I 11:OO AM
Services Strategies Webinar Day 1
For Business Owners Planning Their Exit
The Real Reason Most Businesses Don’t Sell And Why It Has Nothing to Do with Profit
April 14 2025
It’s not about your numbers – it’s about understanding the hidden factors that determine whether your business will sell for top dollar
What You Will Learn
Discover the top factors that influence your business's salability.
Learn how to position your business to attract premium buyers.
Avoid common pitfalls that reduce business valuation.
Who's Speaking
Anthony Rivas
Anthony Rivas knows that selling a business isn’t just a financial move—it’s an emotional one.
He learned that firsthand watching his own family’s business sell in a rushed, unplanned deal that left value—and legacy—on the table. It wasn’t because the business wasn’t worth more. It was because no one helped prepare it the right way.
That experience drove Anthony into the world of business exits, where he’s now helped dozens of owners across 20+ industries navigate their next chapter with clarity and confidence.
As a strategic advisor at
Hedgestone, Anthony leads with a valuation-first approach—because knowing what your business is worth (and how to increase that number) is the foundation of a successful exit.
From messy books to clean deals, from burnout to breakthrough—Anthony is the advisor serious business owners turn to when they want to exit with peace of mind and top dollar.
FAQ
How do I know if my business is ready to sell?
Most businesses aren’t truly ready when the owner decides to sell. That’s why we focus on helping you prepare first—clean up your financials, organize your documents, and position your business the way a serious buyer would want to see it. We’ll walk you through a readiness assessment in our first call.
What’s included in the free strategy call?
The 15-minute strategy call is all about clarity. You’ll get a quick analysis of where your business stands in the exit process, what buyers might look for, and what potential valuation range you’re in. If you're a good fit, we’ll show you how we can help increase that value before you ever go to market.
How long does it take to sell a business?
It depends on the industry, how prepared your business is, and how motivated the buyer is. On average, unprepared businesses take 9–12 months to sell. With our pre-exit preparation process, most of our clients attract serious offers in 2–6 months.
What kind of businesses do you work with?
I specialize in service-based businesses, med spas, retail, home services, professional trades, and many others with $500K to $10M+ in annual revenue. If you’re unsure whether you’re a fit, just book a call—we’ll let you know quickly.
How is working with a business advisor different from a broker?
Brokers typically list your business and wait for buyers. We go deeper—we clean up your numbers, build your positioning, create buyer demand, and help you structure a deal that gets you more value. We’re in it with you from strategy to closing.
Will I need to pay anything upfront?
Depending on your situation, we may recommend a valuation engagement to begin working together. This ensures you're serious about selling and gives us a strong foundation to position your business for the best possible exit. The first strategy call is always free.
What if I’m not ready to sell yet?
Perfect. That’s actually the best time to start. The most profitable exits happen 6–18 months before you actually sell—because that’s when we can still fix the value drivers, not just report on them. Planning early gives you options, leverage, and peace of mind.
What happens after the strategy call?
If you’re a good fit, we’ll outline your next steps, which could include a valuation analysis, financial cleanup plan, and exit positioning. You’ll know exactly what we recommend, how we can help, and what it looks like to work together—no pressure, no surprises.
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