Sell Your Business in Knoxville and East Tennessee, Confidentially

Selling a business is one of the biggest decisions an owner will make. Justin Sterling, Senior Advisor at NAI Koella | RM Moore in Knoxville, helps owners across East Tennessee prepare, price and sell their businesses while protecting confidentiality from employees, customers and competitors. In 20 years, Justin has closed more than 850 transactions and negotiated thousands of deals. Trained through Simon Property Group, he brings a disciplined, data-driven process to every sale, including the real estate that often comes with it. How the confidential sale process works Confidential consultation. We talk about your goals, timing and what a successful exit looks like for you. Nothing is shared without your permission. Valuation and preparation. We review financials, operations and any owned or leased real estate to set a realistic, defensible asking price. Blind marketing. Your business is marketed with an anonymous profile that describes the opportunity without naming it. Buyer screening and NDAs. Interested buyers are qualified and sign a non-disclosure agreement before they learn the business name or see financials. Offers and negotiation. We compare offers on price, terms, financing and transition, and negotiate on your behalf. Due diligence and closing. We coordinate with your attorney, CPA, lender and the buyer's team through closing, including lease assignments or property sales. Who it's for Owners of main street and lower middle-market businesses in Knoxville and East Tennessee Owners planning retirement or a succession Owners who also own the real estate their business operates in and want advice on selling or leasing it Restaurant, retail and service business owners who need a buyer and a new lease or assignment Buyers looking to acquire an established East Tennessee business Frequently asked questions How do I sell my business in Knoxville? Start with a confidential consultation and a valuation. From there, a business broker prepares a blind profile, markets the business to qualified buyers under NDA, negotiates offers and coordinates due diligence through closing. What does an East Tennessee business broker do? A business broker values your business, finds and screens buyers, keeps the sale confidential, negotiates price and terms, and manages the process to closing. Justin also advises on the real estate tied to the business, such as leases and owned property. How do you keep the sale of my business confidential? The business is marketed without its name, buyers are screened, and every buyer signs a non-disclosure agreement before receiving identifying details or financial information. How is my business valued? Value usually depends on cash flow (often seller's discretionary earnings or EBITDA), industry, growth, customer concentration, transferability and any real estate or equipment included. A broker compares these factors to market data to set a defensible price. How long does it take to sell a business? Timing varies with the size, industry, price and buyer financing. Preparing your financials and records early is the best way to shorten the process. Do I need to sell my building with my business? No. You can sell the real estate with the business, keep it and lease it to the buyer, or sell it separately. Justin can help you compare the options with your tax advisor. Thinking about selling your business? Start with a confidential conversation. Call Justin Sterling at (865) 236-1610 or email jsterling@koellamoore.com. Button text: Request a Confidential Consultation (links to contact form)