Someone Wants to Buy Your Business. Now What?

It starts with a phone call you weren't expecting. Or an email that catches you off guard. Someone wants to buy your business. They've been watching your growth, they say. They see potential. They'd like to talk numbers.


For a moment, it feels good. Validating, even. You built something worth wanting.


But here's what most business owners don't realize at that moment: that offer isn't on your terms. It's on theirs.


They're Already Three Steps Ahead


Here's the thing about unsolicited offers — the buyer picked this moment deliberately. While you're feeling surprised and maybe a little flattered, they've already done their homework. They know what they're willing to pay. They know what they hope you'll accept. And they're counting on the fact that you've never done this before.


You're hearing a number for the first time. They've run this same play dozens of times.


Think about that for a second. They've bought 15 businesses like yours. You've built one.


They have people who do acquisitions full-time. They have lawyers who specialize in this. They have financial folks who've modeled out every scenario.


You? You're trying to figure out if this is even real.


Real example: We worked with a contractor who got an offer two weeks before his daughter's wedding. Great timing, right? Except the buyer knew he was distracted. They knew he'd want to move fast. And they knew exactly what they were doing.


Why Your First Instinct Might Be Wrong


Most owners we talk to have the same initial reaction: "Someone wants my business. This is my chance. I should take it seriously and move fast."


And you're right about one thing—you should take it seriously.


But moving fast? That's exactly what they're hoping you'll do.


Because what that first offer really represents is someone else writing the script for the biggest financial event of your life. Their timeline. Their structure. Their version of what's "fair."


And once you sign that letter of intent and agree not to talk to anyone else? You just gave up the one advantage you had—the ability to walk away or explore other options.


What Does "Selling on Your Terms" Actually Mean?


Let's be clear—selling on your terms doesn't mean being stubborn or unrealistic. It just means you get to decide what matters to you before someone else decides for you.


Here's what actually changes when you're in the driver's seat:

You pick the timing—not them.

Instead of scrambling to respond to a surprise offer, you sell when you're actually ready.


Maybe that's when your books are clean and your numbers look strong. Maybe it's when you've had time to think about what you actually want—not just react to what landed in your inbox. Maybe it's when selling fits with what's happening in your life—retirement, health, family needs—not just what fits their buying schedule.


You create competition.
Think of it like selling your house. One person makes one offer. But three people interested? Now you've got real negotiation power.


Same with your business. One buyer makes one offer. But get a few serious buyers at the table? Now they're competing with each other, not just negotiating you down from their first number.

That's a completely different conversation.


You keep your options open.
Here's something most people don't realize: the moment you agree not to talk to other buyers, your bargaining power drops like a rock.


They know you're locked in. They know you've told your family it's happening. They know you're emotionally invested. And they know that if this deal falls apart six months from now, you're starting over from scratch.


When you run things the right way, you keep your options open. You keep buyers motivated. And you keep yourself in a position to say no if the deal isn't right.


You understand what you're actually agreeing to.
Most business owners have never heard terms like "earnout" or "seller note" until someone puts papers in front of them. Then they're up at midnight Googling trying to figure out if what they're signing is normal.


Here's the truth: some terms are standard. Some are negotiable. Some are red flags.

But you won't know which is which unless someone who's seen hundreds of these deals is in your corner.


Next in this series: We'll walk you through what actually happens behind the scenes when you decide to sell the right way—and how we handle the process while you keep running your business.


Ready When You Are


Whether you've received an offer—or if you're just starting to think about what selling might look like—we're here to help.



No pressure. No pitch. Just a straightforward conversation about what selling on your terms actually means, how to protect what you've built, and what your options really are.


Get in touch:

  • Schedule a confidential assessment
  • Call us directly: 610-427-2114
  • Email: Deal@founderscapitalnetwork.com


Because at the end of the day, your deal really is our mission.


Are you a wealth advisor, attorney, CPA, or coach with clients navigating acquisition offers? Learn how we partner with trusted advisors to guide clients through exits that protect their interests.

Your Deal. Our Mission.

By Michelle parisi • August 22, 2025
Because your life’s work deserves more than just a buyer. Selling your business isn’t just another transaction—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime decision that will shape your future. For many small business owners, the sale of their company is more than an exit. It’s the bridge to retirement, financial freedom, and the next chapter of life. At Founders Capital Network (FCN), we understand what’s at stake. That’s why we don’t treat your business like a listing or a number on a spreadsheet. We treat it like the culmination of years of hard work. Our job is to help you maximize the value of your business, negotiate the right terms, and ensure the outcome aligns with your personal goals. We negotiate like it’s our own business. We champion small business owners. And most importantly—we help you sell right, so you can retire well. What We Deliver Maximize Your Sale Price You’ve worked too hard to leave money on the table. FCN runs a structured, competitive process that brings multiple qualified buyers to the table. We highlight the strengths of your business, address potential risks up front, and use real market data to ensure you never underprice what you’ve built. Structure That Fits Your Retirement Every deal is different. We design a payout mix—cash, equity rollover, or earnout—that supports your retirement goals. The right structure can mean the difference between just selling your business and securing your future. Negotiation You Can Trust We’ve seen every kind of deal—and every kind of pitfall. Our role is to make sure you don’t just close a deal, but that you close the right deal, on the right terms, with your long-term interests protected. A Confidential, Efficient Process Selling your business is a full-time job. But your real job is still running it. We manage buyer outreach, diligence, and documentation with discretion, so you can focus on keeping your business strong through closing. A Team That Works With Your Team Your CPA, wealth advisor, and attorney are critical to your future. We coordinate with them throughout the process so your sale proceeds are positioned for long-term success. Why FCN? Most investment banks ignore smaller deals. Most brokers focus on speed, not strategy. That leaves many small business owners—especially those selling for retirement—without the right partner. FCN was built to change that. We bring investment bank-level sophistication to companies with less than $1M in EBITDA. Our process is designed to deliver the same strategy, care, and attention larger companies receive—tailored to the needs of small business owners. We don’t just get deals done. We get the right deals done. Ready to Talk? Even if you’re only beginning to think about selling, the best time to explore your options is now. Let’s start with a conversation—no pressure, no jargon. Just clarity on what your business might be worth and how we can help you turn it into lasting security. Your Deal. Our Mission.
Founders Capital Network

Founders Capital Network Welcomes Susan Callahan

By Michelle parisi • July 17, 2025
Founders Capital Network (FCN) is pleased to announce that Susan Callahan has joined the firm as Client Transaction Manager, bringing decades of experience across commercial banking, corporate strategy, philanthropic finance, and business operations.

The NFL Draft, Your Business and Why the Offer Is Just the Beginning

By Joseph Ashby • June 27, 2025
Every April, the NFL Draft reminds us of what it looks like to reach the top of your game. After years of discipline, long nights and showing up when it was hard, top college athletes get their shot at the pros. But when their name is called, it doesn't mean they've "made it." It means they're stepping into a new chapter that comes with high stakes, complex decisions and the pressure to get it right. That's why every top player has an agent. Someone who's been there before. Someone who understands how much is on the line. At Founders Capital Network, we think business owners deserve the same professional representation. You built it. Let us help you protect it. Selling your business isn't just about numbers. It's about everything you've poured into your company — your time, your identity, your family's future. We've seen too many owners think the offer is the win. But just like the NFL Draft, the offer is just the start . The real outcome is shaped by what happens next—due diligence, negotiations, deal structure. And the truth is, you shouldn't have to navigate that alone. This isn't your average transaction. For athletes, getting drafted means contracts, clauses and performance bonuses. For business owners, selling a company means: Understanding what your business is truly worth Ensuring the letter of intent, which makes you exclusive with a single buyer, has the appropriate amount of detail Making sense of a 70-page purchase agreement Answering many questions during due diligence Negotiating terms that may be new to you Figuring out what your role is (or isn't) after the sale That's where we come in. We sit on your side of the table—translating legal language, pushing for better terms, ensuring the numbers work in your favor and keeping the process moving. We do the behind-the-scenes work so you can stay focused on what matters most—your life, your legacy and your next chapter. You don't need to know how to sell a business. You need someone who does. Founders Capital Network was built for small business owners like you. Most owners have not built their company with an "exit" in mind — but now they realize it's time for a new season. We're not brokers trying to list your business on a website. We're not investment bankers chasing high fees. We're advisors who help: Owners with less than $1M in EBITDA Founders ready to sell but unsure how to start Wealth advisors, CPAs and attorneys who guide their clients through the unknown If you care about getting it right , we're the partner that helps make that happen. You get one shot at this. Let's do it right. The NFL Draft lasts three days. Selling your business takes months. Sometimes longer. There are ups and downs. Offers that look great but don't hold up. Surprises. Delays. Decisions that don't just affect you but your family, your employees and your future. Having the right team around you makes all the difference. At FCN, we treat every client like it's their only deal—because it usually is. Ready when you are Whether you're just starting to explore your options or you've got an offer in hand, let's talk. There's no pressure, no pitch—just a conversation about what a smart exit looks like and how to get there without regrets. Because at the end of the day, your deal really is our mission. Schedule an Assessment

“I Ain’t Fallin’ for No Banana in My Tailpipe” — The LOI Trap That Costs Founders Millions

By Joseph Ashby • June 27, 2025
It’s one of the oldest tricks in the book: A buyer flashes a big number, drops it into a Letter of Intent (LOI), and says, “Let’s move fast.” You’re told this is just a formality. A sign of good faith. A necessary step to get the deal across the finish line. But here’s what they don’t say: Once you sign that LOI, you give up your leverage. At Founders Capital Network, we call this the “banana in the tailpipe moment” - an homage to the misdirection play of Detective Axel Foley in Beverly Hills Cop . It looks like progress, but it can be a setup. When you sign an LOI, you agree to exclusivity. That means you’re off the market—no talking to other buyers, no new offers, no competitive pressure. Just you and the buyer, locked into a process that now tilts heavily in their favor. And that’s when things start to shift. They slow down the process. The deal timeline starts to stretch. They send waves of diligence requests, and “issues” begin to surface—things that were never a problem before. Then, just as you’re worn out and deep in the process, the buyer comes back with a lower offer. They say it’s because of what they found. But let’s be honest—it is often the plan with preemptive buyers. We’ve seen this too many times. That’s why we built Founders Capital Network—to protect business owners from that playbook. Before you ever sign an LOI, we clarify your numbers, structure your terms, shape the buyer narrative, and run a competitive process. That pressure keeps buyers accountable, timelines tight, and valuations strong. And the results speak for themselves. In a recent study of closed transactions over the last 20 years, as reported by Forbes magazine, founders who worked with firms like ours achieved an average 25% higher sale price, and an average of 1.5 times higher EBITDA multiple compared to those who went it alone. Not because we overhype deals—but because we help sellers keep control when it matters most. And here’s the other part no one tells you: when deals drag, operations suffer. Founders shift focus away from the business. Sales dip. Key people leave. And then the buyer uses that as an excuse to lower the price again. We don’t let that happen. We keep founders focused on performance so the business continues to thrive—even while the deal is in motion. Here’s the bottom line: Signing an LOI too early is one of the costliest mistakes a founder can make. It may feel like progress, but it can be the moment the deal starts to slip away. So don’t fall for the banana in the tailpipe. Talk to us first.