The place to go to buy or sell a business

An affiliate of Sunbelt Business Brokers BC (West Coast) Inc.
The place to go to buy or sell a business!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

10 Questions To Ask When Buying a Business—Do Your Homework!


Published in Nanaimo Magazine - December 2010 Issue

Buying a business is an arduous, yet rewarding process, and can take weeks or months. Because buying a business will involve investing a fair amount of money and time, it is critical to do your homework when gathering information about the business. This process is commonly referred to as due diligence.  It helps the buyer discover information such as whether the purchase price of the business is too high; the type and condition of the business being bought; bad financial situations if they exist, and contingent liabilities. There are so many questions to ask when considering the purchase of an existing business. In fact, there is not enough room on this page to list them. But let us give you a few examples that relate to financial, marketing, ownership and operations: 

1. Ask why is the seller selling—and verify the answer.
2. Ask to review the certified financial statements of income, cash flow and balance sheets for the last three years. If you borrow from a bank to pur- chase the venture, the bank will want to see them.  Recent audits and projections should also be reviewed.
3. Ask  to see the company’s Tax Returns (not the owner’s personal) for the last three years.
4. Ask for a copy of all documents of all outstanding indebtedness like notes payable, accounts payable, real estate and equipment leases.
5. Ask if the seller is willing to stay around for awhile after the sale to help with transition.  If so, have you discussed some compensation for his/her services during that transition period?
6. Ask if there has been any significant turnover of employees. If so, why? Ask to see employment agreements and organizational charts.
7. Ask about the quality of customer relations at the company. Review customer lists if possible.
8. Ask about the relationship between the company and its vendors. Do vendors display preferred, regular or irregular relations with the company?
9. Ask to review key contracts.  Also ask to see any litigation-related documents.
10. Ask for information about patents, copyrights and other intellectual property-related documents.

If you are contemplating small business ownership, feel free to give the Sunbelt Nanaimo office a call at 1-877-289-0969 or visit the website at www.bcbusinessbroker.ca or www.sunbeltnetwork.com/vancouverisland - we can help you find a reliable business that suits your background.  We are Certified Business Intermediaries with special training to help our clients analyze business opportunities and assess future probability of success.  President of Sunbelt Business Brokers, Michael Naprawa, is the Director of Education for the Canadian Chapter of IBBA (International Business Brokers Association), an organization that creates business standards and a code of ethics; and creates training and professional designations for Canadian Business Intermediaries.  Feel free to contact our Nanaimo office with your questions or comments.

View the article and check out Nanaimo Magazine here

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Top 4 Myths About Selling Your Small Business

Most small business owners only sell their company once.
The steps involved in selling your small business is a complex process. Your goal as a business owner is to sell your company quickly and get the most amount of money in your pockets at the end of the day. Don’t fall for these common myths that could affect the sale of your business and ultimately the financial security of your family.
Do these sound familiar…

Myth #1 – I Can Sell my Small Business Myself

Entrepreneurs like to do things themselves. Many feel that they are qualified to sell the business without any assistance from professionals. This way of thinking can be a huge challenge to the successful sale of the company. Just because an owner can sell a product or service does not mean they can represent and sell their company.

There are three major issues if you want to sell the business yourself.
  1. If you want to sell your small business yourself, confidentiality is lost.  What will your competition do if word gets out that you are for sale?
  2. What will your clients, employees and suppliers think if they know you want to leave the company? Will your business drop? Will your credit from the bank be redefined?
  3. Will you have the time? There is a lot of work to do when selling a business. You will need to compile the marketing materials, advertise the listing, screen buyers and determine if they are serious or kicking tires, and facilitate due diligence. In addition you need to focus on growing the company so that a buyer will not walk from lack of sales.
When it comes time to sell your business you need to keep focused on running the business and increase your sales. You need to concentrate your efforts on issues that matter to a prospective buyer not to take on new challenges.

Myth #2 – I’ll Sell my Small Business When I’m Ready

Certainly, it is important to be emotionally ready to sell. However, personal readiness is just one factor in selling. There are economic factors to also consider.
The price of your business for sale can be affected by industry consolidation, interest rates, unemployment and many other economic measures. Talk with a certified business broker about what it takes to sell your small business so that when you are ready your company is also.

Myth #3 – I Know What my Business is Worth

This is one of the key areas that owners find most shocking. Many small business owners have no idea what their business is worth in today’s market. For some business owners they base the value of the company on what they need for retirement. Others will tell you they want $100,000/year for “sweat equity.”  Still others utilize industry multiples. What happens if all these are false? What if the market is not willing to pay you what you think your small business is worth?
A third party valuation is a good idea for anyone seriously considering the sale of their business.  An outside valuation will include a thorough analysis of the business and the market it operates in. This will provide a solid understanding of the company’s growth potential, not some vague industry average.

Myth #4 – Selling a Small Business is Like Selling a House

When you prepare to sell your house it may take only a few weeks. Once your house is ready you bring it to market and get the word out to everyone that the house is for sale. Once you get an offer that you are happy with, you sign on the dotted line, turn over the keys and move on.
Selling a company is much more complex. A successful business sale usually requires a great deal of pre-planning, at least a year and maybe as long as three years to drive sales, develop key staff, document the operations and control expenses.
The average house will sell in less than four months, while the average business sale is nine months to a year.
Even after the business is sold, the seller can be expected to put in at least a few months, and possibly years of transition time, to help the new owner run the business successfully.
Go to market with realistic expectations by getting a professional valuation and using a professional business broker or intermediary.
These are just some of the myths that business owners need to be aware of before selling their business.
For more information talk with your advisor or business broker who specializes in helping business owners transition.

Article by Small Business BC posted October 4, 2010.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

2010 Highlights of Small Business in British Columbia


BC - The government has released SMALL BUSINESS PROFILE 2010, a 36 page report that profiles small business growth and development in the province. Here are the key highlights.
Small businesses account for 98 per cent of all business in the province, with approximately 395,900 small businesses operating in British Columbia in 2009. Of those more than half (56 per cent) were self-employed and the rest (42 per cent) had fewer than 50 employees.
Only Saskatchewan, which has 89.5 small businesses per 1000 people, has a greater number of small businesses per capita. This puts BC, which has 88.9 small businesses per capita, well ahead of most other provinces (the national average of 72.0).
How does this translate into economic value? Small businesses provide enormous support for employment and also contribute to the province's gross domestic product (GDP).
Small businesses in the province account for 57 per cent of private sector jobs, the highest rate nationwide, and employed 1,045,400 people in 2009. On top of this are 443,800 self-employed worker, who tend to be older, are more likely to work longer hours than employees working for others and are also more likely to be male.
In terms of production, small businesses in the province accounted for roughly 32 per cent of BC's gross domestic product in 2009 and 41 per cent of the total value of goods exported from the province in 2008.
Read the report SMALL BUSINESS PROFILE 2010 to learn more about the state of small business in British Columbia.

Article: http://www.canadaone.com/ezine/briefs.html?StoryID=10Oct18_2

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Not Ready to Say "I Do"?

Published in the October Issue of Nanaimo Magazine.

See published article here: http://www.downtownmagazine.ca/nanaimo/nanaimomag.php

Even though you know you’re ready, sometimes it’s still hard to commit—to leaving that is. When the perfect buyer finally makes you the offer you’ve been waiting for, you get ‘cold feet’ and feel the urge to run from the proverbial alter. And then come the questions: “Do you take this buyer as the long awaited answer to your succession plan, as long as you live? Does anyone here object to the marriage of this buyer and seller?” Hmmm, you think to yourself... yes, no maybe, no, you’re not sure…After all, you were the one who took the biggest risk. You were the one who planted the seed, watered it and nourished that business from its infancy into the successful going concern it is today. Are you really ready to let it go? Did you get enough money? Maybe you should have held out for more?

It’s not surprising that business owners, however excited they may be about hitting the golf greens, moving or starting a new venture, signing on the dotted line and handing over the keys can be difficult process. That’s where BC Business Brokers use their skills to work with their clients in reaching their goals. If you are feeling the jitters about selling your business and opening the next chapter of your life, here are 5 tips to help you warm your feet:

1. Recognize that it’s normal to have second thoughts for any event that requires a life-altering decision.
2. Acknowledge that people fear the unknown, especially when it means leaving something that’s been a big part of their lives.
3. Stay focused on your original goal—if you want to retire or change careers, feel the fear and DO IT anyway.
4. Stay grounded—don’t get greedy! Just like the stock market, those who hold out for the highest price often lose it all.
5. Realize that your perspective is strongly influenced by emotion and thus, your outlook may be skewed.

BC Business Brokers utilize their knowledge of the industry within the context of the current economy to bring perspective to every transaction. These professionals receive in-depth training through the IBBA University (International Business Brokers Association), achieving their CBI (Certified Business Intermediary) designation. Affiliated with the largest global business brokerage and a network of 300 licensed offices worldwide, effective business advisors bring together buyers and sellers and foster a mutually agreeable deal for their clients. We coordinate each business transaction by working together with our clients’ lawyers, accountants and financial planners. Business Brokerage is all about relationships and connections—helping clients overcome the hurdles so they can confidently say “I do!”

If you are interested in exploring business opportunities or are contemplating the sale of your business, feel free to give the BC Business Brokers office a call at 1-877-289-0969 or visit our websites at www.bcbusinessbroker.ca or www.sunbeltnetwork.com/vancouverisland.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Help! What Is My Business Really Worth?

Published in Nanaimo Magazine September 2010 Issue.

To view the published article: http://www.downtownmagazine.ca/nanaimo/nanaimomag.php



Popular approaches often used to value a business are Income, Asset, and Market methodologies. There are five different Income methodologies, in each case businesses are valued based on company earnings. Buyers’ main concern is the true or absolute income of the company. The net ordinary income, reported on the profit and loss statements for tax purposes, does not depict the true earnings of the company based on non-cash, discretionary, & non-recurring items expensed by the owner.  Reported earnings are usually intentionally kept low to manage taxes. Therefore, to determine the true earning capacity of a business, the profit & loss statements must be re-cast during the valuation process. The business value is then calculated by applying a multiple, consistent with the industry and a weighting of the factors affecting the business, to the SDE or adjusted EBITDA.
Seller’s Discretionary Earnings (SDE) is generally utilized for businesses under $1 million in earnings. Typically, these businesses are owner-operated, the owner receiving a salary through the company.  It is important to determine the ‘owner benefit’ as opposed to the ‘earnings’ of the business. Add-backs or normalizations are applied to the pre-tax business earnings and expenses to adjusted fair market value.
Earnings Before Interest Taxes Depreciation Amortization (EBITDA) is generally utilized by larger companies with income in excess of $1 million to define the earnings of the company.  In most cases, the owner/investor does not actively direct the company operations and pays a general manager to perform that function.  Therefore, the EBITDA calculation differs from SDE as it includes the manager’s compensation in the earnings calculation as an expense.  EBITDA is a good measure of core profit trends because it eliminates some of the extraneous factors and allows a more "apples-to-apples" comparison.  However, EBITDA should not replace the measure of cash flow, which includes the significant factor of changes in working capital. 

These methodologies all use historical data and do not account for the current cycle or health of the industry in the current economy, nor do they account for the condition of the geographical area the company services. These two factors are the other important considerations in each valuation analysis provided by BC Business Brokers. To develop a full picture of the health of any given firm, a multitude of measures must be taken into consideration.

BC Business Brokers receive in-depth training in the 12 common accounting methodologies of Business Valuation through the IBBA University (International Business Brokers Association), have prior business ownership experience, and are provincially licensed and regulated.  If you are contemplating the sale of your business, or may be considering small business ownership, feel free to contact the Sunbelt Nanaimo office – we can help you.  Visit our local website at www.bcbusinessbroker.ca or www.sunbeltnetwork.com/vancouverisland or phone 1-877-289-0969.



Wednesday, August 4, 2010

7 Tips on How to Prepare for HST and Improve Cash Flow Management

HST is bringing along a number of changes in how business systems in British Columbia work. In the following article Mike Michell, the national director of small business at RBC, gives 7 tips on how to manage this change.
Like it or not, the HST must now be charged on most sales in Ontario and BC. The new tax will affect business systems and more importantly, it may impact your cash flow.
On the positive side, businesses in Ontario and BC should get more money back as the provincial portion can now be claimed as an input tax credit. However, if your business previously charged GST only you will want to make sure that you don’t treat the extra tax collected as new revenue. Remember that you will need to have these funds on hand to remit to the government.
To help you manage the change, consider these seven tips on how to prepare for the HST and improve your cash flow management from Mike Michell, the national director of small business at RBC.
1. Manage your projections. With the HST coming into effect, your cash flow projections may change. Some items that were not taxable before may now be taxable and visa versa. Consider how that will affect your business and plan accordingly.
2.     Update your systems. You will need to ensure that all business systems, including point-of-sale terminals, cash registers, computer software, websites, invoices, sales receipts, purchase orders and expense reports are charging the correct amount of tax.

Monday, August 2, 2010

BC Business Brokers Article in Nanaimo Magazine

Historic Building Restored - Re-opens with New Flair

Former race car driver,
now a successful Vancouver Island construction developer Tony Van De Mortel, has finished his latest race. Mortel, the visionary and one of the new owners of Crofton Hotel Pub & Restaurant, recently completed a substantial makeover giving the landmark hotel a new image and a new attitude. Existing since 1902, the building has been restored to its original form with a rustic West Coast theme, including a liquor store with cold beer and wine. Commemorating its reopening on March 14, management continues to stride forward with more improvements, resulting in an ever widening contrast between the “old” image and the slant towards a modern, Oceanside eatery offering fresh, home-made food. The new soon-to-be-launched menu makes a substantial shift away from prepared food to a focus on natural ingredients from island suppliers—an asset for the local economy. Frozen premade burgers are replaced with an in-house recipe; store-bought fries are replaced with hand cut fries made from potatoes from nearby farms.

This remarkable transformation began in the midst of the global recession in the spring of 2009 when Sunbelt connected a synergistic buyer with just the right background and skill set to transform this once-thriving standstill business into a tasteful and viable operation. “Now that the reconstruction has been completed,” says Michael Naprawa, Owner of Sunbelt Business Brokers in Nanaimo, “it confirms our calculated hunch that this buyer was indeed a quality fit. The seller was also very pleased that Sunbelt was able to provide him with an effective exit strategy.” Business Brokerage is all about relationships and connections, and working to ensure the right match for each unique client.


If you are contemplating the sale of your business, or may be considering small business ownership, feel free to give the Sunbelt Nanaimo office a call at 1-877-289-0969 or visit the website at www.bcbusinessbroker.ca

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Businesses for Sale Listings, News and Career Opportunities! Visit us at: www.bcbusinessbroker.ca

BC Business Brokers is an innovative, professional brokerage firm that specializes in the sale, transfer or merger of businesses. With affiliations worldwide our reach is global, but our real strength is in knowing our local markets.

Whether you are looking to sell your business or interested in buying a business, we encourage you to have a look through our website to discover the types of service and benefits you can expect as a BC Business Brokers client.

Please feel free to have a look around our new website. You will find all the information related to selling or buying a business, useful links and company details. And check out our businesses for sale pages featuring a diverse range of listings and other exciting investment opportunities.

Thank you for your visit and we look forward to hearing from you soon,

The BC Business Brokers Management Team


Sunday, July 25, 2010

Top 5 Reasons to use a Business Broker in Canada

Today's post is a good reminder to all potential buyers and sellers out there of how brokers like BC Business Brokers can support you with the process of buying or selling a business. Michael Torner encourages this idea in an article that shows the benefits of hiring a business broker by listing five main reasons.

A business broker acts like the middleman between the buyer and the seller. A broker can be a person or a firm which supports the buyer or the seller (whoever hired them) during the whole transaction process. 
One of the most frequent questions asked by prospective buyers or sellers of a business is whether they should hire a broker or not? The answer is “Yes… but the right one!” If you are looking for a business in Canada find a business broker who has had some good experience in this region and can assist you from beginning to end i.e. right from finding the right business till the time you start owning it.

Let’s have a closer look at Top 5 reasons why you should hire a broker if you are looking for a business for sale:

1. For sale listings: Brokers provide you the necessary business-for-sale listings without which you will be like a blind person in a garden full of flowers. Brokerage firms usually maintain a database of businesses for sale. You can go through the huge pool of sellers and choose the business which suits you the best. 

Friday, July 23, 2010

Buying a Business 101

If you are thinking of buying a business and you have never bought a business (in Canada) before, the following guide will be of great use and is especially created for helping potential buyers of Canadian businesses. This comprehensive guide, written by Michelle Collins and Julie King, can be found on Canada One online and gives practical advise to those who are interested in buying a business in Canada. 

Just click on the following link and it will bring you to the correct page:

A comprehensive guide to buying a business in Canada

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

"Self Reliance the Key to Successful Acquisitions"

Organic growth or growth by acquisition? This is an issue that has occupied the mind of a business owner at least once in their career. But what does it take to complete a successful acquisition and is it suitable for all business at one point in time? In the article "Growth by Acquisition" Mark Wardell stresses that "self reliance" plays a crucial role in acquisitions.

Although the majority of businesses grow organically, many owners will entertain the idea of making an acquisition at least once in their career. For some, growth through this method is a rare opportunity which is unlikely to be repeated, while for others, growth by acquisition is an important part of their overall growth strategy.


In all cases, the process of buying another business has its own unique set of challenges. So before embarking on the acquisition trail, it's important that you gain as much knowledge about those challenges as possible to maximize your likelihood of success.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Green Jobs for a Green Province

An increasingly important sector in today's business environment is the so called "green economy". Differentiating from the old "black economy" this segment focuses on the opportunities in renewable energy, pollution reduction and fossil fuel substitution. British Columbia has been involved with this "green economy" for a quite a while and is progressive in this field. An article on Renewable Energy World Online discusses how this sector will only grow in the future and will create more "green jobs" in British Columbia.

Vancouver, BC - The green economy in British Columbia could be worth over $27 billion by 2020, according to an independent study by the GLOBE Foundation of Canada. The Vancouver-based GLOBE Foundation report, released today, assesses the economic and employment impacts associated with the transformation of the provincial economy towards lower-carbon energy generation and usage, as well as business practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

How Business Owners can prepare for Interviews

Many business owners at one point in time will be asked to do an interview for a (local) newspaper, a business magazine or internet magazine. When answering the reporters questions the business owner should at all times be aware of what message it is they want to communicate. Paul Lima, from the Canada One Magazine, offers business owners and entrepreneurs some practical advice on how to respond to reporters' questions to ensure a successful interview.

Your company lands a new contract, launches a new service, or publishes a new information piece. You want to let people know, so you issue a media release, which you post on your website and/or blog, and link to using Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and other social media.

A reporter calls, wanting to interview you. How you reply to questions can have an impact on your business because, based on what you say in the article, potential customers might call or visit your business or website. That's why you need to prepare for the interview.

Friday, July 9, 2010

"Franchise Homework"

Buying a franchise is a major decision in which many factors should be considered. The article "Do your homework before you buy a franchise", by Tony Wilson, can help potential franchise investors making the right decision by reviewing some important issues.

Franchised businesses are never supposed to fail. But on occasion, they do.

That's why doing your homework before you “buy” is so important, so the prospective franchisee can avoid disastrous mistakes and the agony of defeat. Legally, franchising is very document-intensive and it is important for prospective franchisees to understand what they are signing. 

Here are a few matters to keep in mind when thinking about buying a franchise:

• Although you may be purchasing the tables, chairs and other assets related to the business, remember that, conceptually, you aren't buying. Instead, you are acquiring the legal right to use a franchisor's business system and trademark for the term of the franchise and any renewals. When that's over, the franchisor has no obligation to offer you a new franchise so, in some ways, you're just renting the rights.

• If you're living in Ontario, Alberta or PEI, has disclosure been provided to you under the laws of those provinces? Have you read the Disclosure Document and Franchise Agreement and discussed it with your legal and financial advisers? If you live in another province, is the franchisor providing you with a copy of its disclosure document (and if not why not)?

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Career Opportunity: "Professional Business Brokers in Demand"

Business brokerage is an exciting and rewarding profession.  The purpose of a Business Broker is to facilitate the sale of a business and provide guidance to the owner.  Business Brokers provide the opportunity to help people sell their business that they have worked hard to build and is usually their biggest financial asset. For a small business, the broker is an educator, explaining what is involved in selling a business, packaging the business into what investors are looking for and also to source out the investors.  More importantly, effective brokers will have knowledge of pricing trends in the marketplace. Professional Business Brokers, also called business transfer agents or intermediaries, assist business owners to sell their businesses by analyzing the most probable selling price for the business, matching screened buyers and streamlining the selling process.  The business brokerage industry allows you to be an independent business person with an income potential that is open-ended, and it offers an excellent lifestyle.  In British Columbia, a real estate license is required.  Knowledge of financial statements and prior business ownership experience is an asset, but our brokers come from all backgrounds and experiences.

At BC Business Brokers we are always looking for qualified individuals to enhance our team of Professional Business Brokers throughout Vancouver Island and interior British Columbia. If you or someone you know has experience in business, finance, real estate, accounting, law, marketing, valuations, appraisals or sales, we would like to hear from you. For more information on this exciting career opportunity, please contact Michael Naprawa at 250-751-7917 or e-mail us at career@bcbusinessbroker.ca


Thursday, June 17, 2010

Sunbelt Bridges Connection for Entrepreneur

Finding the perfect business– or securing a qualified buyer for your business is all about having the right connections, maintaining relationships and providing synergistic ownership strategies.  Effective business brokers, sometimes referred to as business intermediaries, can do just that.  Sunbelt Business Brokers in Nanaimo serves buyers and sellers throughout Vancouver Island and interior BC, and most recently, has represented a publicly traded company in the sale of a Richmond-based meat producer. 
For more on this story…http://sunbeltnanaimo.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/article-premium-brands-south-seas-nm-july-2010-edition.pdf

Monday, June 7, 2010

HST - Preparing for July 1, 2010

Preparation is key to reaping rewards and avoiding pitfalls as the implementation of the harmonized sales tax (HST) in Ontario and British Columbia looms, according to a veteran tax expert.

"Worries are not non-extistent, but they are small compared to the relative benefits," said Peter Budreski, chartered accountant and consultant to small and mid-sized firms.

He said preparing for the transition will greatly reduce the pain of the change and position small and mid-sized firms to reap the rewards of HST.

For instance, businesses must make sure their tax software tools have been patched or updated to accommodate the HST, said Budreski. In Ontario for instance, the government has earmarked $400 million for accounting software replacement assistance to SMBs, he noted.

On July 1, 2010, the goods and services tax (GST) and the provincial sales tax (PST) will be merged into the HST in Ontario and BC.

The Ontario government claims the move will save businesses $500 million annually in compliance costs. When fully implemented, the HST will save $4.5 billion annually.

Budreski, who also helps owners of small and mid-sized companies set up their QuickBooks accounting software, said the transition will generally mean less cost and complication for many of these firms, although many consumers might cry foul.

"There will probably be a backlash from consumers who will feel they are going to be charged more taxes over a wider range of products," he said

Source: Article from http://www.itbusiness.ca/it/client/en/home/News.asp?id=56777

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

For Sale By Owner?

You’ve made the decision. You want to sell your business. Perhaps you are seeking a change in career or you’ve done your time and the golfing greens are calling your name. For whatever the reason, your business is up for a transfer in ownership and you hope to find the right buyer who will recognize the value of your business. Where do you start? With the advent of several online marketplaces, sites where you can reach a large number of buyers, do you need the assistance of an expert or can you do it yourself? Professional Business Brokers, also called business transfer agents or intermediaries, assist business owners to sell their businesses by matching screened buyers and streamlining the selling process. Sounds easy? Perhaps, if you have the time and the skill. But, consider what an effective business broker does:

- Values the business utilizing multiple methodologies, providing the most probable selling price for the current market
- Presents to prospective buyers the true value of the business through “normalization” of financials
- Assists with “presale” preparations, helping owners best position their business for sale
- Markets the business using newspaper & internet advertising, internal buyer lists, targeted solicitations and web advertising
- Adds a layer of confidentiality by advertising the business for sale without disclosing its identity
- Screens and qualifies buyers and/or strategic partners, creatively structuring the deal
- Helps keep a complex process legal—business brokers have contracts such as Letters of Intent, NDAs (Non Disclosure Agreements) and can often reduce the owners’ legal fees
- Manages the progress of “due diligence” investigation with lawyers and accountants, pivotal to a successful closing
- Negotiates with buyers and closes the deal

Sunbelt provides outstanding resources, expertise and people who are dedicated to the success of its clients. You are welcome to visit www.sunbeltnetwork.com/vancouverisland or our local website www.bcbusinessbroker.ca, or call 250-751-7917 to learn more about what our business brokers can do for you.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Our New Website Has Been Launched!



BC Business Brokers is an innovative, professional brokerage firm that specializes in the sale, transfer or merger of businesses. With affiliations worldwide our reach is global, but our real strength is in knowing our local markets.

Whether you are looking to sell your business or interested in buying a business, we encourage you to have a look through our website to discover the types of service and benefits you can expect as a BC Business Brokers client.

Please feel free to have a look around our new website. You will find all the information related to selling or buying a business, useful links and company details. And check out our businesses for sale pages featuring a diverse range of listings and other exciting investment opportunities.

Thank you for your visit and we look forward to hearing from you soon,

The BC Business Brokers Management Team

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Cowichan Valley Toasts A Passionate Wine Lover

After 25 years in retail, the new owner of Wine Kitz in Duncan is no stranger to the winemaking industry.  His love for winemaking began in 2002 sparking an entrepreneurial passion for high quality wines. “I knew I fit in well in this industry,” says Mr. Ron Tanguay, who previously owned and operated two restaurants in Cambridge, Ontario. Since the inception of Wine Kitz in 1959, the franchise has been the leader in the consumer winemaking industry and today is one the world’s largest and most respected winemaking retailers. And that’s what motivated Mr. Tanguay to seriously explore a career opportunity in something he loved: wine.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

BC's Economy is Looking Up

On April the 12th the government of British Columbia released a report revealing a number of interesting economic indicators. Overall the economic climate seems to be improving, below a list with some positive economic indicators can be found:

- Major construction project in B.C. hold strong
- Building permits on the rise
- 2010 first quarter housing starts doubles 2009 figure
- B.C. forecast to lead Canada in new home starts
- Conference board forecasts B.C. to lead Canada in growth in 2010
- B.C. to lead nation in job creation
- Vancouver's economic growth expected to lead Canadian cities
- Consumer confidence in B.C. up yet again
- Business confidence remains strong
- Vancouver a top city for international competitiveness
- B.C. continues to record strong population growth
- B.C.'s housing sales continue positive rebound
- B.C. remains a box office leader in film and TV production
- China grants Canada approved destination status

Source: BC Government Website, 2010

Thursday, April 15, 2010

When to Sell a Business

Finding the right time to sell your business can prove to be quite a challenge. The following article shows a number of signs that indicate that it might be time to move on.

A survey of business activity nationwide shows that many sellers are taking advantage of the window of opportunity offered by today's favorable marketplace. In this recent survey, almost one-third of business owners responded that they are considering the sale of their business. The first question one might ask, given the relatively healthy financial climate, is WHY? Selling when times are good? The answer, for many sellers, can be a resounding YES! Here are some of the reasons why, followed by tips for getting the process started.

The Buyers Are Out There: The current economic upturn has depended to a great extent on trimming the corporate fat. Executives and middle managers out of work--and determined not to be "downsized" by big business again--are eyeing the advantages of being in business for themselves. Since 1990, the percentage has steadily grown of those corporate executives who leave jobs in order to become independent business owners. It isn't just the money they are dreaming of--it's the desire for more control over their lives.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

The Importance of Succession Planning

Selecting an appropriate successor is crucial to the survival of a business. A good business plans today for tomorrow. The issue of succession, specifically aimed at British Columbia, is discussed in an article featured in BC Business Online:

With the majority of B.C. employers qualifying as small businesses, it’s no wonder experts such as succession-planning lawyer Don Sihota and the executive director of UBC’s Business Families Centre, Judi Cunningham, are warning small businesses about the danger of delaying succession planning.

This is “a huge issue, not only for business owners themselves, but really for the economy as a whole,” says Sihota. Cunningham points out that B.C. will see trillions of dollars passing between owners and their chosen successors within the next 15 to 20 years.

Monday, April 5, 2010

BC's Self Employment Boom

Thursday, March 25, 2010

10 Tips for Buying a Small Business

Based on a survey conducted by Merger Network in 2009 among 350 recent buyers, a list of 10 Tips for Buying a Small Business was compiled.

1. Activate your Social Network. Friends, relatives, and business associates are the best resources to tap when it comes to looking for potential business opportunities,   according to recent buyers. Business intermediaries are another potential source for finding out about new business ventures. The majority of respondents indicated the web as the top place to start your search.

2. Get your financial house in order. One of the first things buyers suggest is to get your financing in order. Be sure you have enough money to cover costs for 12‐18 months, add 50% to your   estimates for unforeseen expenses and don’t forget about advertising and marketing budgets. Respondents cautioned prospective buyers to keep the economic downturn in mind when preparing forecasts. Be conservative and be prepared.


Thursday, March 18, 2010

Tofino Chamber of Commerce - Investor Open House

Taken from the Tofino Chamber of Commerce newsletter:

" On the 21st of March a group of Iranian investors will visit Tofino to look for investment opportunities. The visit is a part of the SunBelt Investors British Columbia Investment Orientation Tour, designed to show investors what BC has to offer. Because the Iranians are focused on Vancouver Island, investments would stimulate the local economy and create employment opportunities therefore positively influencing the local economy.
 
An open house will be held by the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce at Cable Cove Inn's waterfront Yurt on Sunday, March 21st at 7:30pm. Members seeking investors or growth financing are welcome to attend and present their ideas. Michael Naprawa, the owner of Sunbelt Nanaimo, will also discuss investment opportunities in Tofino."

For more information, please contact info@tofinochamber.org or nanaimo@sunbeltnetwork.com.


Wednesday, March 10, 2010

The Iranians are Back for More!

Another delegation of Iranian Investors hits the Island to explore for business opportunities.

Nanaimo, BC (March, 2010) – Sunbelt Business Brokers BC, Nanaimo, BC a global provider of business brokerage services, announced today that they will be accompanying another group of 10 Iranian investors to several Vancouver Island businesses for sale. The group of 10 Iranian investors and their spouses will be visiting the Island as part of the British Columbia Investment Orientation Tour, especially designed to show investors what the province of British Columbia has to offer.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Foreign Investment in Canada – good or bad?

Foreign Investment in Canada – good or bad?

By Renee Bueckert, February 2010

Some of us fear the unknown. More accurately, most of us fear what we don’t understand or perhaps what we think we do. Of course, this holds true in many aspects of our lives and often, it is the power of knowledge that frees us from our apprehensions. Thus is true when we embark on the topic of foreign investment into Canada, a topic that can conjure up a multiplicity of thoughts and reactions. For some, these words bring hope and optimism for renewed economic vigor, increased productivity and strong levels of employment; for others these words ring of patriotic protectionism, both admirable and yet polarized perspectives of a healthy economy. Just as it was when we discovered the earth was round, not flat – the facts remained regardless of how anyone really felt about it: we couldn’t fall off the planet if we walked too far in any direction.


Monday, February 8, 2010

"Investing in a creative economy"

An interesting article in the Financial Post talks about how investors can benefit from investing in a creative economy.

"Rural communities have a unique proposition to offer urban areas and are finding increased success marketing themselves as ideal retirement and tourism locales, in addition to sources of traditional natural resources."

The entire article can be found on Financial Post website.

Source: Financial Post, 2010

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Sunbelt Radio - February 5

This week’s show

This Friday, February 5, hosts Pino Bacinello and Matt Ottaway will discuss Staffing Companies with Paula Turner, Vice President of Franchise Development for PrideStaff. To listen to the live show on VoiceAmerica, the world leader in internet talk radio, simply go to www.voiceamerica.com. Click the “Channels” tab, which is in the upper left center of the home page. You will get a drop down list of the channels on Voice America. Click on the “Voice America Business” Channel and you will be taken the home page for the show currently broadcasting.

If you have a question for our hosts or guests, you may submit them in advance to insights@sunbeltnetwork.com. Please identify the topic you are writing in reference to in the subject line of the email. It is also possible to call in live to the program during the broadcast hour by dialing toll-free to 1.866.472.5790.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Sunbelt Nanaimo appeared on Chek News!

Click the following link to see the news broadcast, it will be the item on 15″00 minutes, so please fast forward and you will see the news item.

CHEK NEWS ITEM

Sunbelt Nanaimo - Article Published in Nanaimo Daily News

Yesterday Sunbelt Nanaimo held the official “Iranian Investor Welcome Lunch” at VIU’s own restaurant the discovery room. The lunch was a great success and a number of important members of the business community attended such as; Ron Cantelon (MLA of Parksville-Qualicum), Ralph Nilson (President VIU), Graham Pike (Dean of International Education VIU), Hadi Abassi (President Atlas Truss and Citizen of the year 2009), Marzie Bellucci (Business Development Director of VIP Water), Moira Jenkins and Anne Kuzminski (RBC managers) and Rick Turner (Senior Loan Manager BDC).




Click on the link to read the article published in the Nanaimo Daily News on Monday January the 25th: Nanaimo Daily News


Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Sunbelt Radio Broadcast January 22

This week’s show


This Friday, January 22, hosts Pino Bacinello and Matt Ottaway will be discussing Fast Food Restaurants with Michael D’Arezzo, Director of Franchise Sales North America for CKE Restaurants, Inc. To listen to our live, weekly radio show on VoiceAmerica, the world leader in internet talk radio, simply go to their website at http://www.voiceamerica.com/. Click the “Channels” tab which is in the upper left center of the home page. You will get a drop down list of the channels on Voice America. Click on the “Voice America Business” Channel and you will be taken the home page for the show currently broadcasting (or directly here).

If you have a question for our hosts or guests, you may submit them in advance to insights@sunbeltnetwork.com. Please identify the topic you are writing in reference to in the subject line of the email. It is also possible to call in live to the program during the broadcast hour by dialing toll-free to 1.866.472.5790.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Article in Nanaimo News Bulletin!

An interview with owner/president of Sunbelt Nanaimo was recently published in the Nanaimo Daily News Bulletin and the Times Columnist Victoria.

Click on the following link to read the article: Nanaimo Daily News




Click on the article to read: Victoria Times Columnist


Press Release - Vancouver Island attracts Iranian Investors

Large group of Iranian Investors to explore business opportunities on Vancouver Island

Nanaimo, BC (January, 2010) – Sunbelt Business Brokers, Nanaimo, BC a global provider of business brokerage services, announced today that they will be accompanying a group of around 20 Iranian investors to several Vancouver Island business for sale. The Iranians will be visiting the Island as part of the British Columbia Investment Orientation Tour, especially designed to show investors what the province of British Columbia has to offer.

The British Columbia Investment Orientation Tour highlights the larger centres of Greater Vancouver, Nanaimo and Victoria. During the course of the tour the Iranian investors will meet with several provincial politicians such as the BC Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration and Multicultiralism Dave Hayer, BC Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Naomi Yamamoto as well as other officials of the Ministry of Labour Development Market. Part of the tour will include a Business Investment Seminar conducted by the Government of BC- Business Immigration. In addition, the investors will also have the opportunity to visit several BC colleges and universities.

The tour of the Island will start on January 25 with a special welcome lunch. The lunch will be held at Nanaimo’s own Vancouver Island University restaurant, the Discovery Room.

On January 25, 26, and 27, the professional business consultants at Sunbelt Business Brokers of Nanaimo will escort the group of Iranian investors to various businesses in Parksville, Nanaimo and Victoria providing them with expertise specific to the local business market. Any investments made by the Iranians is likely to have a positive impact on the local economy and stimulate employment opportunities.

Sunbelt Nanaimo Welcomes Iranian Investors

On the 25th of January a large group of Iranian investors will visit Vancouver Island, starting in Nanaimo, to look for investment opportunities. This is a part of the British Columbia Investment Orientation Tour, designed to show investors what BC has to offer. Sunbelt Nanaimo will show them several business as potential investment opportunities.

The group of investors will be welcomed with a special lunch held at the Discovery Room, Vancouver Island University’s own top restaurant.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Sunbelt Radio Nanaimo

Sunbelt has been hosting an internet radio program for the past few months, to provide our franchisees and their clients with convenient access to current information about the process of buying, managing and selling privately-held businesses. Sunbelt’s show, Entrepreneurial Insights, is broadcast each Friday at 2 PM U.S. Eastern Time.

This week’s show
This Friday, January 15, hosts Pino Bacinello and Matt Ottaway will be discussing Auto Body Repair with Dave Shaefers, VP of Business Development for Driven Brands. To listen to our live, weekly radio show on VoiceAmerica, the world leader in internet talk radio, simply go to their website at www.voiceamerica.com. Click the “Channels” tab which is in the upper left center of the home page. You will get a drop down list of the channels on Voice America. Click on the “Voice America Business” Channel and you will be taken the home page for the show currently broadcasting (or directly here for our show’s homepage).

If you have a question for our hosts or guests, you may submit them in advance to insights@sunbeltnetwork.com. Please identify the topic you are writing in reference to in the subject line of the email. It is also possible to call in live to the program during the broadcast hour by dialing toll-free to 1.866.472.5790.

Sunbelt Nanaimo wishes you a happy and successful 2010!

2010 is a great new year which will offer many exciting business opportunities. So if you are interested in either buying or selling a business, or just want to know more about what we do, please contact us and we can provide you with more information.