I Want $1 Million For My Business [THA 240]

Hunt Demarest, CPA Paar-Melis. Hunt is Accredited in Business Valuation and a licensed Certified Public Accountant that has been with the firm since 2006. He specializes in business taxes, valuations, and does consult work with our clients all across the country. When he’s not in the office, Hunt enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, working on and racing his cars. Look for Hunt’s other episodes HERE.

Brian Bates, the owner of Eagle Automotive Service, 5 locations, bought the neighborhood shop in Columbine Hills back in 2004 as a way to serve the community by offering quality repairs and services while living out his dream of running his own business.

Brian has served as a President of the local NAPA Autocare Business Development group, served on the national AutoCare council with the president and directors of NAPA Auto Parts, and is proud of his team’s achievements in becoming an AAA auto repair certified and holding a BBB A+ rating since the inception of the grading system in 2007. Listen to Brian’s previous episodes HERE

Joe Hanson owns Gordie’s Garage. Joe has attended Management Success, NAPA training, Lawrence Tech University and most recently he is a member of the RLO 20 Group 13. He has earned his ASE C1: Automobile Service Consultant Certification. Under his father’s leadership, he has seen what it really takes to make a business like this work. Listen to Joe’s Episodes HERE.

Key Talking Points

  • Value your business before you sell or begin to think about selling- need to figure out value today so that you know what to do to change the value of the business in the future. Find an objective process to value your business before you start talking to a seller. 
  • Use an objective third party to negotiate with buyer and seller- CPA/accountant/business valuators.
  • “Higher than what you want to pay and lower than what you want to sell.” Work together instead of against. 
  • The best tool to evaluate/estimate what a shop is worth- multiple of net income, what does it make at foundation over 3-5 years? Multiply 2.5-3X
  • SDE- seller discretionary earnings, do you add it back in? If the owner is an integral part of the organizaion (owner and service advisor/technician etc) then you can’t justify adding back payroll.
  • Financial forecast- creating a roadmap for bank/SBA, prepare financials, marketing campaigns, write assumptions for expenses
  • The end game isn’t closing on the business, it is succeeding in new business 
  • Know your buyer- price is important but the representation of price is where the value is
  • Key advantages- finding out what motivation of the seller, most time it is about legacy and wellbeing for employees and customers. 
  • Trust and transparency with both parties
  • Take emotion out- need to be in a logical state of mind, you are purchasing and selling an asset
  • Growing after purchasing- as an owner, business, and employees
  • Support during venture- at home, professional network as you go through all the ups and downs. Learn from other people’s successes and failures. 
  • A special thanks to Hunt Demarest, Brian Bates and Joe Hanson for their contribution to the aftermarket.

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About the author, Carm Capriotto, AAP

Carm is the founder and host of the Remarkable Results Radio Podcast and the pioneer of automotive aftermarket podcasts. Carm calls on his years of experience in the aftermarket to bring engaging stories from his guests.

Listen to raw, unfiltered, honest, and sincere stories that include insights, trends, best practices, and expertise. Each interview brings an opportunity to learn one new thing through the stories of personal achievement. Many podcast guests tell their story of transformation from working in their business to working on it.

As host of over 1,000 episodes, Carm uses his enthusiasm and passion for the aftermarket especially the service sector to take his listeners on a journey showcasing successful service professionals’ paths to Remarkable Results. He also enjoys interviews with aftermarket industry thought leaders who bring their industry perspectives to his listener.

Follow the podcast on your favorite podcast listening app and always listen to learn just one thing!