How to Sell a Business in Ontario

A valuation gives you a starting point for deciding whether the timing is right. Buyers look at earnings and how reliably those earnings are likely to continue under new ownership. For example, if your largest customer deals exclusively with you, a buyer will want to understand how that relationship can be handed over.

At Elite Equity Business Brokers, our complimentary business valuation starts with a private conversation about your company, its financial performance, and your plans.

Gather your last three years of financial statements and your current year-to-date results. Make a note of any one-time expenses and keep the records that explain them. If you lease your premises, review how much time is left on the lease, what renewal options you have, and what the lease says about transferring it to a buyer.

Then look at the business from a buyer's perspective. Who handles quotes, manages suppliers, or resolves customer issues when you're away? Documenting those responsibilities helps a buyer understand what they'll be taking over. Our Preparing Your Business for Sale Checklist can help you work through the details.

An early disclosure can unsettle employees, customers, suppliers, and your landlord. It can also give competitors an opening to approach your customers or recruit key staff.

EEBB's public listings describe the industry, general geographic area, and earnings while keeping the business's identity private. Prospective buyers sign a non-disclosure agreement before receiving detailed information. When a competitor expresses interest, sensitive information such as customer names and account-level pricing can be held back until there's a clear reason to share it. Read more about Why Confidentiality Matters When Selling Your Business.