Ownly

Where owners belong

PORTAL

access

GET IN TOUCH

focus areas Industries Experts About US Partner

(855) 600-OWNER

sell your company

get a loan

grow your business

owner Academy

Experts

Focus areas

Industries

about ownly

Become a partner

Access Your Account

GET IN TOUCH

(855) 600-OWNER

Owner Academy Series

Series: M&A 101 Bootcamp

This series is an introduction to what business owners need to know about selling their businesses.

By Jon Polenz, M&A Expert

August 22, 2025

10 Articles in Series

01

Preparing to Sell: Key Steps and the M&A Terms That Matter

Before you try to sell your business, make sure you’re speaking the buyer’s language. This guide walks you through the must-have documents and M&A terms every seller should know.

02

Is Your Business Actually Ready to Sell?

Discover what drives business valuations in M&A: buyers seek predictable revenue, stable financials, growth potential, and teams—while avoiding key risks.

03

Thinking About Selling Your Business? Start Here.

Thinking about selling your business? This no-fluff guide breaks down the real reason owners sell, and how your "why" could make or break your exit.

04

How to Win (or Lose) a Buyer in Your First Meeting

The first meeting with a buyer can set the tone for your sale. Discover how to tell your story, highlight what matters, and avoid common pitfalls to build trust and keep buyers interested.

05

Who Buys Businesses — and What Are They Looking For?

Not all buyers are alike. We'll break down the five key types of business buyers, what each one values most, and how to position your company to attract the right fit.

06

Assembling the Deal Team You'll Need to Maximize Your Sale

A successful business sale depends on the team behind you. This guide breaks down who to hire, what they do, and how they help you close a stronger, safer deal.

07

Your Business Has Offers—Now What? A Guide to Evaluating and Negotiating the Right Deal

Not all offers are created equal. Learn how to read between the lines, avoid common traps, and choose the offer that gives you more than just the biggest number.

08

Due Diligence: the Toughest (but Most Important) Part of Selling Your Business

Due diligence is where buyers dig deep. Here's how to stay in control, protect your leverage, and keep the deal moving throughout the process. You've built the business. Now prove it's worth buying.

09

What Kills Deals — and What Gets Them to the Finish Line

Even great deals can fall apart in the final stretch. Learn the most common reasons buyers walk away, and what you can do to keep your sale on track and moving forward.

10

Closing Day: Announcing the Deal and What Comes Next

Closing day is the final step in selling your business, but how you handle the announcement and transition can continue to shape what comes next for you and your team.

Share this series

About the Author Jon Polenz, M&A Expert

Jon Polenz, the Managing Partner of Owner 1st, LLC, built and sold a commercial service business to PestCo, then helped scale PestCo to over $120M in revenue through strategic acquisitions in just 18 months. His passion for the business owner journey makes him a great expert resource at Ownly.

Click here to learn more about Jon →

Get ownly in your Inbox

Submit

By signing up, you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Ownly

Where owners belong

INDUSTRIES SERVED

HVAC - Plumbing - Pest Control - Pools - Window Cleaning - Power Washing - Garage Door - Residential Painting - Tree Care - Holiday Lighting - Trash & Recycling - Commercial Landscaping - Security Guards - Fire & Life Safety - Industrial Painting - Janitorial - Ad Agencies - Data Providers - Managed IT Companies - Roofing - Electricians - Irrigation - Flooring - Fencing - Foundation Repair - Septic - Lumber Yards - Veterinary Clinics - Dental - At-Home Healthcare - Financial Planning and Investment Advisors - Title Companies - Home Inspections - Allergy Clinics - Physical Therapy

Legal Center:

Cookie Notice

Security & Fraud Awareness

Questions? Call us at (855) 600-OWNER (6963),

Mon – Fri 8 AM – 5 PM CST.

All Systems Operational

This website is operated by Ownly Connect, LLC, a subsidiary of The Ownly Group, LLC. We connect business owners with specialized service providers, including M&A advisory partners, preferred lending brokers, and various partners for growth services. Ownly Connect, LLC and our service provider partners may receive compensation for referrals or completed transactions. By using our services, you may be asked to accept our Universal Service Application Terms, Credit Authorization, and Communication Consent.

Lending services are provided through licensed lenders. RM Financial, LLC is a lending broker, not a direct lender, and does not make credit decisions. Financing terms, conditions, and eligibility are determined solely by participating lenders and may vary based on applicant qualifications. For California residents: Business loans are made by licensed lenders in compliance with applicable state and federal law. RM Financial, LLC facilitates connections to lenders but does not make lending decisions. Compensation may be received from lenders for referrals or funded loans, which may impact the placement of financing offers. Not all financing options available in the market are listed on this platform. We encourage applicants to carefully review all lender disclosures and loan agreements before proceeding.

Submitting a funding application through our platform will not impact your personal credit score. However, if you choose to accept a funding offer, the lender may perform a hard credit inquiry which could affect your credit. Funding timelines vary by product and lender, ranging from as little as 24 hours to several weeks depending on the type of financing and your specific situation. We work with multiple funding partners to provide a range of options suited to different business needs and qualifications.