Andy Stockett

Selling or transitioning ownership of your lawn care of landscaping business is a big decision, to put it lightly. Some owner-operators have a solid succession plan in place. But now more than ever, turf and landscape companies are being sold to competitors or financial buyers — which can be an incredibly lucrative exit strategy. It’s important to note that selling your business doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Depending on your personal and corporate goals, you can structure a deal that allows you to “stay in the game” — i.e., maintain some level of ownership, or continue to be involved in operations — without having so many chips on the table. No matter what, the key to a successful transaction is preparation. If a sale could be in your future, whether it’s in six months or six years, now is the time to evaluate and make changes. Here are 5 actionable things you can do now to achieve the best value for your business. 1. Determine Your Objectives. Know exactly what you hope to get out of a transaction before you begin the process. Selling your business is a once-in-a-lifetime, life-changing event, with a direct impact on your personal, professional and financial future. Ask yourself: What does a favorable outcome look like for me? Specifically, would you like to: Sell the business, throw the keys at the new owner, and head to the beach (i.e., exit the company completely)? Sell the business and remain an employee of the larger ...