News

WANTED: M.G. Wolff& Associates, Inc. is looking for partners in Europe and Asia and to assist with international acquisition projects. The primary role of a partner is to source foreign individuals interested in purchasing businesses in the United States.

WANTED: Dynamic Marketing and Sales person to lead the promotion and sales of exit planning services. Exit planning services are projected to grow at double digit rates over the next ten years, offering an incredible opportunity to make significant money providing highly valued services. Other opportunties exist as well. A real estate license is desirable, but not necessary.

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The 2010 Spring issue of Owner's Equity is available now!

It is the newsletter for individuals building personal wealth through private enterpirse. Read it online or click here to request your free subscription.

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We currently are actively working on four acquisition Projects.

Project one is a search for a business-to-business company in distribution and/or manufacturing with sales between $4,000,000 and $10,000,000. Midwest location preferred, but not required. Profitable, marginally profitable and breakeven considered.

Project two is a search for a business-to-business company in distribution and/or manufacturing with sales between $1,000,000 and $3,000,000. Midwest location preferred, but not required. Profitable or marginally profitable considered.

Project three is a search for a internet based business with sales between $500,000 and $1,000,000. From profitable to unprofitable with a minimum of a one year history.

Project four is a search for a turnaround opportunity. Business-to-business preferred, but not required. Sales between $1,000,000 and $10,000,000. Midwest or Southwest preferred.

If you have a business that fits any of the above criteria or know of someone that does and may be interested in selling, please email mikew@mgwolff.com. It may save you or someone else a great deal of money on transaction costs.

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Scam Alert: Business Owners Beware!

The fact that only one in ten business owners experience the purchase or sale of a business before it comes time to sell their business makes them a vulnerable target, which became very evident in the 1990s when the Geneva Companies swept the country (an organization that is now under a cease and desist order in Minnesota) by fleecing thousands of business owners out of millions of dollars.  Since then other companies have formed to employ variations of the same scam and they are working Minnesota now.  Some are extremely good at it, so before you fall victim, consider the following questions before you commit to listing your business for sale.

1. Is the company or individual licensed to practice in the State of Minnesota?  Though Minnesota licensing requirements do little to ensure competent representation, few organizations and individuals running scams are licensed.  They know there is little in the way of enforcement and they typically will take their chances.

2. Who will be doing the work and who will be representing your organization on a daily basis?  A common practice is to sell business owners international and Wall Street connections, but then once the up-front money is paid and the seller has listed, the seller is passed to a local broker (typically an inexperienced broker that is not yet aware of the scam).  Make sure that it is clear and in writing who you will be working with and how.

3. Is there an up-front fee?  If so, what does it pay for and are there any guarantees?  Organizations running the “Geneva scam” typically charge a non-refundable fee of $20,000 to $75,000 for research and marketing preparation.  In same cases, they will try to sell business value enhancement consulting services, which can add $20,000 to $50,000 to the price tag.  While legitimate organizations provide these potentially valuable services, legitimate organizations will typically charge as they go and will provide some type of guarantee related to the work.  Further, legitimate organizations will not pressure you in their sales process.  So, beware of a large up-front, non-refundable fee.

4. Do they have experience working with any other local businesses?  Again, many of these organizations tout international and Wall Street connections and thereby provide a list of out-of-state references that are hard to verify.  If it is not possible for them to provide a local reference, ask to see a list of their completed deals.  This may not be a reasonable request for some small, specialized firms, but any company doing business internationally and across America should be able to provide a long list of verifiable transactions, not just a few references.

5. What will be done to promote your business?  Often, the up-front fees are to prepare for going to market and encompass a valuation (pricing) and the development of supporting documents (particularly what is commonly referred to as a Confidential Business Review).  Many times, some type of industry analysis is included.  However, this information and related materials are only useful if done in conjunction with an overall marketing approach.  Since most of these companies pass-off the actual representation to a local broker, they will be hard pressed to provide solid answers related to ongoing marketing and promotional issues.  Make sure any promises that are made are in writing.

It can be difficult to identify fraudulent service providers as they are extremely good at couching their programs to mirror what might otherwise be considered legitimate services.  However, by verifying license status and asking the above questions, you may be able to avoid having money taken out of your pocket and the value of your business damaged.  Also, before signing a listing agreement, have it reviewed by a competent attorney.  If you think you have already fallen victim, talk with your attorney and check to see if the organization is licensed.  If not, the listing agreement is likely to be invalid. 

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