How Attractive Is Your Business to Buyers?
This is not a formal valuation tool. It’s a practical guided self-assessment to help you see your business the way buyers do. Whether you’re looking to sell soon or just exploring your options, this will give you insight into your business’s readiness, buyer appeal and value drivers.
Self-Assessment Questions
Choose the option that most accurately reflects your business. Tally your points at the end to gauge your current buyer readiness.
1. Owner Involvement
How dependent is the business on you personally?
☐ I manage all or most operations myself (1 point)
☐ I have staff, but I’m still needed daily (2 points)
☐ The business operates without me day-to-day (3 points)
2. Revenue Consistency
How stable is your revenue month-to-month?
☐ Highly seasonal or unpredictable (1 point)
☐ Some variability, but generally stable (2 points)
☐ Consistent or recurring (contracts, memberships, etc.) (3 points)
3. Financial Records
How clean and organized are your financials?
☐ Inconsistent or mixed with personal finances (1 point)
☐ Mostly accurate, maintained by me or a bookkeeper (2 points)
☐ Professionally managed and CPA-reviewed (3 points)
4. Customer Base
How diversified are your customers?
☐ One or two customers make up most of my revenue (1 point)
☐ Moderate diversity, with a few larger accounts (2 points)
☐ Well-distributed, with no concentration risk (3 points)
5. Team & Talent
How capable is your team without you?
☐ I’m the main operator; no true team in place (1 point)
☐ I have key employees, but they rely on me (2 points)
☐ I have a strong, self-sufficient team (3 points)
6. Business Tenure
How long has your business been operating?
☐ Less than 3 years (1 point)
☐ 3 to 10 years (2 points)
☐ More than 10 years (3 points)
7. Profitability
How financially healthy is your business?
☐ Currently unprofitable or inconsistent (1 point)
☐ Somewhat profitable, room for improvement (2 points)
☐ Consistently profitable with positive trends (3 points)
8. Systems & Documentation
How well are your processes documented or systemized?
☐ Most knowledge is in my head or undocumented (1 point)
☐ Some systems in place (e.g., software, checklists) (2 points)
☐ Core processes are documented and repeatable (3 points)
9. Equipment & Assets
What condition are your physical assets in?
☐ Outdated, deferred maintenance, or mostly leased (1 point)
☐ Mixed — some upgrades, some wear (2 points)
☐ Well-maintained and majority owned (3 points)
10. Growth Trajectory
What does your growth trend look like over the past 3 years?
☐ Flat or declining (1 point)
☐ Holding steady or bouncing back (2 points)
☐ Steadily growing and scalable (3 points)
Total Score: ______ / 30
Interpreting Your Score
| Score Range | What It Means |
|---|---|
| 10–16 | Your business may not be ready to sell yet. It likely relies heavily on you, lacks structure, or shows signs of risk. There’s potential — but prep is needed. |
| 17–24 | You’ve got a solid foundation. A few improvements in systems, team, or financial clarity could significantly increase your business’s value. |
| 25–30 | Your business is likely very attractive to buyers. It’s profitable, organized, and transferable — a strong position if you’re thinking about selling. |
Risk Factors That Can Lower Value (Even with a Strong Score)
Check any that apply to your business:
☐ One customer accounts for more than 30% of revenue
☐ One employee holds most operational knowledge
☐ No employment or vendor contracts in writing
☐ Declining revenue or shrinking margins in recent years
☐ Aging equipment or deferred maintenance
☐ Poor online or local reputation
☐ No clear transition or handoff plan
☐ Incomplete, outdated, or unclear financial records
☐ Unclear business structure or ownership documentation
☐ The business is entirely dependent on you to function
Ready to Explore What’s Next?
If you're thinking about selling — now or sometime down the road — a short conversation can go a long way. This worksheet is meant to give you a general sense of how buyers think, but every business is unique. This isn’t a formal valuation, and it’s not meant to be. It’s a directional tool to help you think through what matters most — and start a conversation when the time feels right.
There are always other factors that influence value: your industry, team, location, growth potential, and deal structure — just to name a few. If you’re curious about what a sale could look like or want to understand how to make your business more attractive to buyers, I’d be happy to connect. Book your discovery call here.