The Owner's Brief
Clear thinking before the biggest transition of your business life.
A private-market publication for Colorado owner-operators. Written for the person considering a sale — not the analyst modeling one.
How to value a Colorado small business in 2026
The realistic valuation ranges Colorado owner-operators should expect, and the adjustments that actually move a buyer's number.
SDE vs EBITDA: which multiple applies to your business
The revenue and owner-involvement threshold where buyers switch from SDE to EBITDA — and why picking the wrong one costs you real dollars.
The 7 factors that actually move your exit multiple
What buyers pay a premium for, what they discount, and the changes most owners can still make 12–24 months before an exit.
Owner dependency: the silent value killer
If the business can't run for 30 days without you, buyers already know it. Here's how they measure it and how to fix it.
Understanding net proceeds: what actually hits your account
Purchase price is a headline. Net proceeds are the number. Here's the full stack of deductions Colorado sellers see at close.
Seller financing, earnouts, and rollover equity explained
The three most common deal structures buyers propose, what each really costs you, and when to accept or push back.
Why confidentiality matters more than reach when selling
Public listings and broad blasts feel like more buyers. In reality they compress your price and put your team at risk.
How to vet a business buyer without exposing your company
The information sequence a serious advisor uses to qualify buyers — before they ever learn your company's name.
Broker vs advisor vs investment banker: who should sell your business
The three types of representation, the price ranges each serves, and how to know which one fits an owner-operated Colorado business.
The Difference Between a Business Broker and a Controlled Exit Advisor
A quiet, side-by-side comparison for Colorado owners weighing a business brokerage firm against a private exit advisor — confidentiality, buyer vetting, and net proceeds compared.
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One considered essay for Colorado business owners, roughly monthly. No pitch, no listing spam, unsubscribe anytime.
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