10/22/2026
I had a refreshing conversation with a business owner recently.
When the question of our compensation came up, he asked me:
“Is it true that working with a business broker can result in a better offer and terms, enough to more than cover the success fee, compared with selling on your own?”
I’m biased, of course, but I wholeheartedly believe the right business broker can make a meaningful difference.
Business owners are experts in their respective fields. They know their companies better than anyone. But most will sell a business only once, and it is often the largest and most complex asset they own.
Meanwhile, an experienced broker or M&A advisor has seen numerous transactions, including the twists, turns, surprises, and negotiations that come with them. That experience can give an owner a much better chance of walking away with maximum value and minimum exposure.
Selling a business on your own can feel like navigating an unfamiliar maze while still trying to run the company at full speed. Every turn can affect the price, the terms, the risk, or whether the deal closes at all.
Is it worth doing alone? That is for each owner to decide. But I would strongly encourage anyone considering a sale to speak with at least three qualified professionals before committing to a path.
You don’t know what you don’t know.