104 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com The world of business is competitive and often high paced. Buying or selling a business adds even more stress. The associates at Atlantic Business Brokers help place buyers and sellers of profitable businesses together. Founder Christopher Gordon and his colleagues are in Main Street America daily speaking with owners who want to buy and sell their businesses. Originally from New England, Gordon has split his time between Charleston and New England for the past 22 years. He worked as a resort developer for 20 years. Before starting Atlantic Business Brokers, he worked for the largest business brokerage company in the U.S. Working for one of the largest firms in the country, he found it difficult to give every client the assistance and attention they require to purchase a business. Gordon wanted his company to work one on one with successful business owners. Navigating home sales and business sales are vastly different. In most instances, a business sale requires more time and more business expertise. Most clients with ABB lease their space, which is the main difference between a business broker and a commercial real estate agent. Business valuations are offered to sellers and include looking at a seller’s financials, inventory, equipment and goodwill and coming up with an accurate selling price to take to market. If you are thinking of moving, retiring or starting a new business, ABB is happy to help. Gordon recommends looking to sell a business when you are on top. Buyers are looking to purchase growing businesses with great management in place. A solid team of employees is a major draw for those looking to buy as well. This firm closes more than 35 percent of the listings they take. Unlike housing real estate, the national average for selling a business is one in every four. If you are a business owner and you are looking to sell soon, ABB recommends that you get your paperwork in order and can show profit. Don’t cut ties with smaller clients, lay off your workforce or scale down if you are looking to sell. You don’t want to sell a business with the previous year being down. You want to give your buyers a profitable business to investigate for the potential for longevity. According to BizBuySell, a highlight for ABB in 2023 was finding out that they had the largest sale by a business broker in South Carolina. Rick Hall made the sale and had this to say, “After some research, I gave them a valuation of their business, clearly discussed the process, and they then entrusted ABB to sell their towing business. The selling price of $10 million was important to them. But it was also important for us to find the right buyer who would continue to take care of their 50-plus employees. Fortunately, we did both and were able to increase the benefits for the employees and help create generational wealth for the owner and his family. It worked out beautifully for everyone!” Reach out to a representative today to help navigate your future business endeavors! Small Business Advocates Atlantic Business Brokers Christopher Gordon, CBI, president of Atlantic Business Brokers. For more information, please visit atlanticbusinessbrokers.com or call 800-366-1627. BY CARI LAWSON local commerce
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