Now might be the time to sell

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/22/business/smallbusiness/why-some-business-owners-think-now-is-the-time-to-sell.html?_r=2&ref=smallbusiness

Interesting article in the NY Times about small business owners thinking about selling now, for two reasons.  Ignore the first (tax), as the discussion about capital gains tax rising in 2013 only applies to the US.

But the second is something I am also seeing in Canada, i.e. some businesses had tough years in the later half of 2008 and in 2009 and have now rebounded with a year or more of ‘good’ results.  This ‘pause’ in results caused some owners to put off their exit plans in 2009-2011, but now they are 2-3 years closer to retirement age (and you still can’t take it with you!).  We’ve already seen the increase in sell-side activity in 2011 and it is expected to continue in 2012.

If you plan on grabbing some subcontract work from the Halifax shipyard project, think about selling this year or next because the ‘promise’ of the shipyard boom may turn out to be more valuable in the perceived worth of your business, while waiting for the actual contracts will take years.  See my earlier post on this latter topic.