Small Business Owner Optimism Hits Highest Level in Five Years
According to the latest Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index Survey, small business ![Winning](http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs044/1101935837805/img/8.jpg?a=1116448711976)
cash flow and hiring are up as the economy improves, while retirement concerns persist.
Small business owners are the most optimistic they have been in five years, according to the same survey, business owners expect their businesses to increase case flow and hire more employees in 2014.
The survey was conducted January 6 - 10 and the overall score increased to a positive 45 (+45) in January, up from a positive 24 (+24) in October 2013. While this score is the highest it has been since the third quarter of 2008, it is still well below pre-recession levels.
Several factors contributed to this quarter's increase in small business optimism compared to the fourth quarter 2013:
- Improved cash flow
- Increased hiring
- Increased revenue
- Accessing credit
Read the full report here.
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How to Write a Solid Business Plan
A business plan is an essential roadmap for business success. This living document generally projects 3-5 years ahead and outlines the route a company intends to take to grow revenues.
The essential elements to an effective business plan that will have the flexibility to grow with the success and changes of your business are:
- The Executive Summary
- Company Description
- Market Analysis
- Corporate Structure
- Service/Product Lines
- Marketing & Sales Structure & Plan
- Funding & Financial Projections
Why you need A Business Plan
If you plan to approach a financial institution for a loan, apply for a small business grant, pitch your business idea to investors, or enlist the support of a business partner, a business plan is required. Additionally, potential investors and supporters want to see the true potential of your business idea clearly laid out in hard facts and numbers. A business plan is the best, and generally, the only acceptable way to provide this information.
Business plans help you clarify gray areas because you have specific information decided such as products you will sell and at what price points. A business plan is a useful document for any small business owner. But when you use your business plan as a tool to help you outline action items, next steps and future activities, you are creating a living, breathing document that not only outlines where you are and where you want to be, but also gives you the directions you need to get there.
Learn more about writing effective business plans.
Valued Representation When Buying a Business & Developing A Business Plan
VR Business Brokers intermediaries can assist buyers in answering the following questions that will help to clarify information needed to assemble a solid business plan:
- What is the value of the business?
- How do I get financing for the business?
- With whom can I discuss my expected return on investment?
- When should I get an attorney or accountant involved?
- How do I get the lease I want?
By working with VR Business Brokers, you have the advantage of dealing with full-time professional business intermediaries that specialize in buying and selling small and mid size businesses. Each of our VR intermediaries combines his or her experience with the cumulative knowledge of the VR network.
Subscribe to the VR buyers alert program
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Due Diligence Checklist
From a buyers perspective, due diligence refers to the investigation and verification of information involved in a potential investment or acquisition.
The acquisition of a business requires a large financial commitment and a considerable amount of time. Therefore, due diligence in proper research such as legal, financial, and operational documents, and confirming the seller representations and material facts pertaining to the business sale are all part of the due diligence process. The facts and figures required to make a smart and well thought out buying decision are critical in order to know what you are getting into and mitigate potential risks and pitfalls.
Prior to receiving any confidential data about the business buyers should be prepared to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement in addition to providing basic personal, financial, and work experience information to the seller.
A competent business intermediary like those you find at VR Business Brokers are be able to provide guidance in embarking on a due diligence investigation
Due Diligence Steps:
Step 1: Exploration
Step 2: Analysis
Step 3: Site Visit
Step 4: Letter of Intent
Step 5. In-Depth Due Diligence
Get a Due Diligence Checklist.
A competent business broker such as those you will work with at VR Business Brokers,
coupled with a CPA, and attorney with business transaction experience, will bring enormous value in streamlining the DD process.
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![](http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs197/1101935837805/img/1681.jpg?a=1116448711976) |
50-Year Old Restaurant Supply Company Sold for $260,000 by VR Office in McKinney, TX
The VR Business Brokers Office in McKinney, TX, a leader in the sale of privately held companies, recently facilitated the sale of Del-Max Restaurant Supply, Inc.
Del-Max Restaurant Supply, Inc., a family-run business in Sherman, TX, has been in business for over 50 years, providing equipment and food service supplies to North Texas and Oklahoma area restaurants and food service organizations, schools, hospitals, and other entities that house cafeterias and food service functions.
The new owners --also a family--assumed possession of the business on January 6, 2014, and are excited to continue the tradition of superior customer service with fair pricing that the public has come to expect from Del-Max Restaurant Supply, Inc.
VR Business Brokers of McKinney, TX handled all aspects of the transaction, from initial business valuation to marketing the opportunity and providing support through the closing process. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. "We were very happy that this deal came to us as a referral," said Larry Lane of the VR office in McKinney, TX. "It is always nice to get the confirmation that people know we will do a good job and feel confident in sending us clients because they know we will competently and expertly handle the listing."
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![](http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs197/1101935837805/img/1683.jpg?a=1116448711976) |
VR Continues to Match Qualified Buyers with Businesses for Sale
In today's business climate, our clients demand quality and professionalism. We applaud our VR business intermediaries for a job well done!! Here is a small sample of transactions that have closed across the VR network recently:
Tea Shop $395,000 Artesia, CA
Ladies Clothing Store, $375,000, Edmonton, Canada
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![](http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs197/1101935837805/img/1679.jpg?a=1116448711976) |
Distribution/Wholesale-Frozen Foods Products Company for Sale
$4,150,000
An established and leading importer and wholesale distributor of seafood products located in Edmonton, Alberta invite offers to purchase 100% of the Shares of the Company. The Company has the following key attributes:
* Over 30 years of successful operation.
* Extensive product range of quality frozen, fresh and salt water fish and seafood products sourced from all over the world.
* Wide ranging and longstanding customer base including grocery stores, remote camps, caterers, pubs, restaurants, etc.
* High levels of customer service - and readily available of over 200 varieties;
* Freehold premises including significant cold storage/freezer;
* Excellent growth and expansion opportunities.
* Annual revenue of over $8MM.
* Price includes approx. $1MM of capital equipment, $1.5MM of inventory.
The Company provides an acquirer with: An excellent bolt-on facility for another importer and distributor to expand geographically or diversify the product base. Fully trained employees are in place. Owner is also willing to train and assist the buyer to ensure a smooth transition.
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![](http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs197/1101935837805/img/1717.jpg?a=1116448711976)
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Here is just a small sample of the many businesses that VR has for sale.
Clean Engine Manufacturer
$4,800,000
Cellphone Retailer
$780,000
Outdoor Kitchen Design Company
$589,000
Office Equipment Company
$550,000
Auto Repair Shop
$395,000
Commercial Cleaning/Janitorial Business
$345,000
Ceramic Tile Contractor
$370,000
Hair & Beauty Salon
$300,000
Calgary, Canada
Embroidery & Monogram Store
$125,000
Dallas, TX
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Join VR Now
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The time has never been better to become a part of the VR team.
Small businesses make up over 56% of the annual U.S. GDP and every year a large amount of them change hands.
VR is the industry leader in facilitating such transactions.
![](https://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs044/1101935837805/img/237.jpg)
For more
information on
how to join VR!
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