CCH Online Store Books on small business topics. Free E-mail Newsletter Monthly updates on developments affecting small businesses. It's important to recognize that the things you love about your business are not necessarily the same things that a buyer will love. You may appreciate a lot of the intangible benefits you get from being your own boss, from your status in the community, from knowing that you provide a good product to your customers and a good working environment to your employees. Possibly you value some of your perks even higher than the salary you take out of the business.
Cash is king.
The essential thing that most buyers will be interested in is earnings and cash flow . They'll want to know that your business will provide a stream of dollars that's predictable, steady, and high. The point is, your income stream is key. You need to prove the size and regularity of your positive cash flow, preferably with audited financials going back at least three years. A very important aspect of your cash flow and earnings is their ability to be replicated in future years, without your presence .