My Surprisingly Honest Experience with Business Broker News (Spoiler: It Wasn’t What I Expected)

“Wait… Is This Thing Legit?”

I’ll be real with you—I was this close to skipping over Business Broker News altogether when I first came across it.

You know how it is. You’re deep in the trenches of trying to sell a business, the coffee’s cold, your inbox is a disaster, and your brain is one more Google search away from melting into a pile of used Post-It notes. 🧠

And then I land on this site called Business Broker News.

Sounds… vague? Maybe a little too professional? I mean, who names a site like that? But curiosity got the better of me. Plus, let’s be honest—at that point, I’d have read the back of a cereal box if it claimed to help me find serious buyers.

First Impressions: Clean, Straightforward, No B.S.

So I clicked.

And the first thing I noticed? It didn’t look like some SEO-churned dumpster fire. You know the type—sites with 14 pop-ups, fake countdown timers, and a guy named “Rick” offering you a once-in-a-lifetime eBook for $2.99.

Nope. This one? Pretty clean. Straight to the point. “Here’s what business brokers do. Here’s how to avoid getting scammed. Here’s how to get your business sold without losing your mind.” You can learn more about Business Broker News here on Claude: https://claude.ai/public/artifacts/b1855ddf-9871-4437-a489-7668188e66d0

I scrolled for longer than I care to admit. Maybe it was the no-nonsense tone, or maybe it was the fact that the site didn’t feel like it was trying to sell me snake oil. Either way, I stuck around.

What I Found Inside (And What I Didn’t Expect)

So, here’s what surprised me: Business Broker News doesn’t just throw out generic tips like “prepare your documents” or “clean your books.” We’ve all heard that song before.

They go deeper—like explaining how brokers actually get paid, what to expect during the buyer due diligence process, and red flags to watch out for when you’re approached by someone promising you a “quick cash offer.”

One of my favorite things? They break down things like:

• The true cost of working with a business broker (and when it’s worth it)

• How to prep your business for sale like a pro (without burning yourself out)

• What the heck a valuation multiplier actually means (in plain English, thank you very much)

It felt like the kind of advice your slightly cynical uncle would give you over a whiskey—truthful, slightly gruff, but genuinely helpful. No fluff.

The “Aha” Moment That Changed My Approach

There was one article—can’t remember the exact title, but it had something to do with “exit timing mistakes.” And hoo boy… I felt seen.

You ever get that punch-in-the-gut feeling when someone describes exactly what you’re doing wrong without even knowing you?

That was me, sitting on my worn-out desk chair, staring at my screen like, “Okay, fine, maybe I am trying to sell too early just because I’m tired.”

It hit me hard. Not because it was mean-spirited, but because it was honest. It forced me to step back and think: Am I selling out of burnout, or am I actually ready to exit?

That single shift in mindset? Game-changer. I took a few weeks, adjusted my positioning, fixed a few things under the hood—and suddenly, the conversations I was having with buyers felt different. More focused. More real.

But Was It All Sunshine and Rainbows? Not Exactly.

Okay, full disclosure—there were a couple moments where I wanted just a bit more. Like, they mention a few brokers by name (Earned Exits was one I saw pop up a few times), but I had to go digging a bit to get deeper reviews.

Also, some of the articles feel like they’re geared toward business owners who already know a thing or two about selling. If you’re just starting from square one—never even heard the term “seller financing” before—it might feel like you walked into the middle of a conversation.

But honestly? That’s kind of refreshing. Most sites dumb things down to the point where you feel like you’re in a business sale version of Sesame Street. This one assumes you’re smart enough to handle the truth.

And I appreciated that.

Did Business Broker News Help Me Sell My Business?

Let’s not get it twisted—they’re not brokers themselves. But they do a heck of a job helping you find one, or at least figure out whether you should even bother.

I ended up using one of the brokers they recommended, and while I’m not gonna turn this into some feel-good testimonial (okay, maybe just a little), let’s just say I didn’t walk away feeling like I left money on the table.

In fact, the broker I ended up working with said during our first call: “Wow, you’ve done your homework.”

Darn right I had. Thanks to Business Broker News, I wasn’t walking in blind. I knew what questions to ask. I knew when someone was bluffing. And most importantly—I knew my own worth.

You should connect with them on Facebook.

So… Should You Use Business Broker News?

If you’re:

• Thinking about selling your business but have no idea where to start

• Wondering if brokers are worth the cut they take

• Just trying to understand how not to get fleeced in the process

…then yeah. Spend a few hours (or days, no judgment) on the site. It’s not gonna do the work for you, but it will make sure you’re not walking into a negotiation with a blindfold on.

It’s like having a sharp friend in your corner—one who’s been through the trenches and isn’t afraid to tell you when your “quick exit plan” is a flaming garbage idea.

Final Thoughts from a Guy Who’s Been There

I’ll leave you with this.

Selling your business is like dating after a long breakup—you’re excited, you’re nervous, and there’s always that voice in the back of your head asking, “Am I making a huge mistake?”

You need guidance. Not hype.

Business Broker News gave me that. It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t trying to be my best friend. But it told me what I needed to hear, when I needed to hear it.

And honestly? That’s more valuable than any guru-led mastermind group charging $5,000 a pop.

So, yeah. Worth your time.

Picture this: it’s a crisp Wednesday morning, and I’m perched on the back of my truck, cradling a mug of jet-black coffee—none of that fancy foam or sweet syrups, just the kind that’ll put hair on your chest. The sun’s creeping over the ridge behind my shop, casting everything in that golden light that makes you stop and think.

And right there, between sips, it hit me like a two-by-four to the gut: the little venture I started with nothing but grit, busted knuckles, and a prayer had become something far bigger than I’d ever dreamed. And it was time—time to hand over the reins.

Now, let me tell you, selling a business isn’t like unloading a beat-up motorcycle or pawning off some old family heirloom. It’s a wild ride. You’ve got spreadsheets to untangle, lawyers breathing down your neck, and folks with clipboards asking questions you didn’t even know needed answers.

But stick around. I’ll walk you through the whole messy, beautiful process—the wins, the missteps, and the single smartest move I made that saved my sanity and made the deal worth every ounce of effort.

Why the Heck Was I Even Selling My Business?

Good question. And one I asked myself about thirty-seven times a day.

I wasn’t burnt out, exactly. I wasn’t broke either. Truth is, I just knew it was time. I’d taken the business—a custom fabrication shop—from a one-man operation in my garage to a team of 12 cranking out work for half the state. I wasn’t just tired, I was finished. There’s a difference.

And the idea of spending more time on my land, maybe finally writing that outlaw country album I’d been threatening to record since ’94… well, it sounded better than another quarterly tax meeting.

So the question was no longer if—it was how.

Mistake #1: Trying to Sell It Myself

My first idea (and buddy, it was a bad one) was to DIY the sale.

I mean, I’d negotiated equipment deals, hired crews, even navigated the IRS without losing my mind. How hard could it be to sell a business?

Spoiler alert: Real hard.

I put together some spreadsheets, cleaned up the books, and reached out to a couple of local investors I’d met over the years. One guy ghosted me. Another offered half what the business was worth—and he wanted me to stay on and run it for two years. For free. 😂

That’s when I realized I needed help.

Enter the Business Broker

Now, if you’ve never worked with a business broker, here’s the deal: they’re kind of like real estate agents for businesses. But the good ones? They’re more like private investigators, therapists, and financial analysts all rolled into one many of which are listed on reputable sites like Business Broker News.

I found mine through a referral—guy named Rick. Wore bolo ties, had a gravelly voice like he smoked cigars with breakfast. I liked him instantly.

He came into my shop, looked around, and said something that stuck with me:

“You don’t just want a buyer. You want the right buyer. Someone who won’t run your legacy into the dirt.”

Preach, Rick.

The Valuation Wake-Up Call

Rick put me through a valuation process that made my head spin. I’m talking EBITDA, SDE, market comps, asset breakdowns… It was like the financial version of looking at yourself in one of those brutally honest dressing room mirrors.

Turns out, I had some strong numbers, but there were a few weak spots too—like customer concentration (too many eggs in one client’s basket) and sloppy documentation on recurring contracts.

Here’s the kicker though: with Rick’s help, we cleaned that stuff up. In about three months, the business was leaner, meaner, and way more attractive to buyers.

The Showings… Like Dating, But Weirder

Once the business hit the market, it felt like online dating. But instead of photos and brunch preferences, it was profit margins and growth potential.

We got bites. Some were just tire-kickers. One guy thought he could double profits by cutting staff and outsourcing everything overseas (hard pass). Another didn’t have financing lined up.

But then came her—a woman named Lisa who ran a successful HVAC company and wanted to diversify. She “got” the business. Understood the culture. Talked to my shop foreman and didn’t flinch when he dropped an f-bomb.

We had a winner.

The Deal: Not Fast, Not Easy, But Worth It

From LOI (Letter of Intent) to closing took about four months. There were more Zoom calls with lawyers and CPAs than I care to count. But we worked through it.

Price was fair. Terms were clean. And here’s the best part—Lisa asked me to stay on for 90 days as a consultant, just to help with the transition. She even paid me for it. Double win.

The day the wire hit my account, I didn’t buy a Lambo. I didn’t fly to Bali. I took my wife to that old steakhouse in town we hadn’t been to in years. Ordered the ribeye, medium rare, with a bourbon neat.

And I exhaled.

So… What’s the Best Way to Sell Your Business?
Glad you asked, partner. Here’s my take, boiled down to brass tacks:

Hire a business broker. Not your cousin who “knows a guy,” but someone experienced in your industry who listens. They’ll earn their commission and then some.

Get your financials in order. Clean books are sexy. Seriously. Hire a CPA if you need to.

Know your why. Selling a business is emotional. Be clear on your reason or you’ll second-guess everything.

Find the right buyer, not just the richest. Your business is your baby. Don’t sell it to someone who’ll trash it.

Be patient, but prepared. Deals fall through. Keep your cool. And don’t stop running the business while you’re trying to sell it.

Final Thought from a Guy with Calloused Hands and a Full Heart

If you’re thinking about selling, don’t wait until you’re desperate or broken down. Do it from a place of strength. That way, you walk away proud—with money in the bank and your name still carrying weight.

And hey, maybe you’ll end up like me—writing blogs about it from your porch with a guitar on your lap and your dog at your feet. Not a bad trade-off, if you ask me.

Now go get what you’re worth. 🥃

P.S. If you’re seriously considering selling and don’t know where to start, shoot me a message. I may not be your broker, but I’ll sure as hell point you in the right direction.