In praise of the small business
Each year, when I think about the national recognition of small business owners (this year, National Small Business Week was April 29 to May 5), I stop and think not only about our firm’s hundreds of clients in all 50 states, but also about the huge economic engine made up of the 28 million closely held family businesses across the nation.
These thoughts lead me to consider two important facts: Every time 10 people are hired in this country, six of them go to work for small businesses; and, together, those 28 million small businesses generate more than 50% of our nation’s GDP.
Speaking at several national conventions each year allows me to meet thousands of these business owners, and I often like to take that opportunity to ask them three questions: Why should someone want to be a small business owner? Why should an owner’s children or employees consider buying this business? Do the financial benefits of small-business ownership offset the hard work and sacrifices?
Gary Pittsford
Let’s look at the last two questions first. At Castle Wealth Advisors, LLC, our Castle Valuation Group has prepared more than 400 business valuations in the last 18 years. Out of those valuations, we picked a cross section of 186 companies and averaged their results. We discovered some interesting facts:
Those numbers offer perspective on my questions. After all, being able to earn 24% per year on appraised value is an excellent reason to own your own company rather than work for a large corporation where they keep the profits. It’s also a good incentive for the next generation in the owner’s family — or perhaps one or two key employees — to purchase the business when the owner is ready to retire.
Sure, the next generation could go to work for a large company and hope for salary increases and job promotions that match the earning potential of small-business ownership. However, for someone with an entrepreneurial spirit, acquiring an existing business and growing that business is an excellent challenge.
It’s also a venture that pays benefits beyond the cash register. It has been proven many times that when a customer shops at a locally owned store rather than a national chain, approximately 30% of the cash being spent will remain in the local community.
So, is it a good idea for that next-gen entrepreneur to consider buying the business? Well, he or she will get the chance to take control of a business with an established customer base, excellent cash flow, well-trained employees and an important role in the local community, all with a chance to earn 24% a year on the business’s value. Seems like a good idea to me.
It’s also an idea that is becoming increasingly important for baby-boomer business owners between the ages of 60 and 70 who have children interested in buying the business. Of course, for such a transition to succeed, an owner needs to be a good coach and the next-gen entrepreneurs need to be good listeners, and the business needs a sound succession plan to address the many legal, financial and operational matters required for the transition. However, if the transition is designed well, the next generation will have a great chance of being successful.
That brings me back to the first question I like to ask those owners: Why should someone want to be a small business owner?
Certainly for the financial rewards, but also simply for the pleasure of entrepreneurial endeavors. And, yes, for the gratification that comes from knowing you’ve contributed to your community and the lives of the people who work for you. But also for the knowledge that you have created something that will continue to contribute to the community and to people’s lives for years to come. Who needs a better reason than that?
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Gary Pittsford, CFP, is president and CEO of Castle Wealth Advisors, LLC. For more information, visit www.Castle3.com, or email Gary directly at [email protected].
These thoughts lead me to consider two important facts: Every time 10 people are hired in this country, six of them go to work for small businesses; and, together, those 28 million small businesses generate more than 50% of our nation’s GDP.
Speaking at several national conventions each year allows me to meet thousands of these business owners, and I often like to take that opportunity to ask them three questions: Why should someone want to be a small business owner? Why should an owner’s children or employees consider buying this business? Do the financial benefits of small-business ownership offset the hard work and sacrifices?
Gary PittsfordLet’s look at the last two questions first. At Castle Wealth Advisors, LLC, our Castle Valuation Group has prepared more than 400 business valuations in the last 18 years. Out of those valuations, we picked a cross section of 186 companies and averaged their results. We discovered some interesting facts:
- The average business valuation is $1,109,000;
- The average gross margin is 40.5%;
- The weighted average adjusted EBITDA is $273,000;
- The average stockholder’s equity is $917,000; and
- The adjusted EBITDA to appraised value is 24.14%.
Those numbers offer perspective on my questions. After all, being able to earn 24% per year on appraised value is an excellent reason to own your own company rather than work for a large corporation where they keep the profits. It’s also a good incentive for the next generation in the owner’s family — or perhaps one or two key employees — to purchase the business when the owner is ready to retire.
Sure, the next generation could go to work for a large company and hope for salary increases and job promotions that match the earning potential of small-business ownership. However, for someone with an entrepreneurial spirit, acquiring an existing business and growing that business is an excellent challenge.
It’s also a venture that pays benefits beyond the cash register. It has been proven many times that when a customer shops at a locally owned store rather than a national chain, approximately 30% of the cash being spent will remain in the local community.
So, is it a good idea for that next-gen entrepreneur to consider buying the business? Well, he or she will get the chance to take control of a business with an established customer base, excellent cash flow, well-trained employees and an important role in the local community, all with a chance to earn 24% a year on the business’s value. Seems like a good idea to me.
It’s also an idea that is becoming increasingly important for baby-boomer business owners between the ages of 60 and 70 who have children interested in buying the business. Of course, for such a transition to succeed, an owner needs to be a good coach and the next-gen entrepreneurs need to be good listeners, and the business needs a sound succession plan to address the many legal, financial and operational matters required for the transition. However, if the transition is designed well, the next generation will have a great chance of being successful.
That brings me back to the first question I like to ask those owners: Why should someone want to be a small business owner?
Certainly for the financial rewards, but also simply for the pleasure of entrepreneurial endeavors. And, yes, for the gratification that comes from knowing you’ve contributed to your community and the lives of the people who work for you. But also for the knowledge that you have created something that will continue to contribute to the community and to people’s lives for years to come. Who needs a better reason than that?
—
Gary Pittsford, CFP, is president and CEO of Castle Wealth Advisors, LLC. For more information, visit www.Castle3.com, or email Gary directly at [email protected].