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Doreen Morgan
Recent posts by Doreen Morgan
21 min read
Red Flags That Scare Off Buyers — 9 Deal Killers That Can Surface During Business Acquisition
21 min read
Selling an Insurance Agency: What Every Owner Should Know
Are you thinking it’s time to sell your insurance agency, or simply curious about how to value an insurance entity before making any major moves? This in-depth guide covers everything from the initial evaluation process to identifying your potential buyers.
Topics: Insurance Agency for Sale
21 min read
M&A Deal Structures Explained — Understanding Deal Structure in Mergers and Acquisitions
Two business sale offers can carry the same headline valuation and still produce very different results for the seller. Deal structure determines what the buyer acquires, which liabilities remain with the business, how taxes may apply, how much cash reaches closing, and what obligations can continue after the transaction is signed.
That matters even more in a market where buyers remain active but selective. KPMG’s 2025 M&A Deal Market Study found that 41% of U.S. dealmakers cited completing due diligence as a top obstacle to closing recent deals, and 44% cited agreeing on valuation. In that environment, structure becomes a practical seller issue early in the process, not just a legal detail to sort out at the end.
20 min read
Why Confidentiality Is Key in Selling Your Business — A Guide to Protecting Your Business Sale
Selling a business requires controlled disclosure from the first buyer conversation through due diligence and closing. The constraint is simple but serious: you need to prove the value of your business and attract qualified buyers without exposing the sale to employees, customers, suppliers, or competitors too early.
17 min read
Here’s What Buyers Look for in Financials (Disclaimer: It’s Not Just Revenue)
About half of the business sales fall through or are renegotiated due to issues uncovered in financial due diligence. For sellers, these numbers are the foundation of trust, leverage, and deal certainty.
19 min read
9 Signs You're Ready to Sell Your Business [Owner's Checklist 2026]
Selling a business is often sparked by instinct; a quiet voice telling you it's the right time to sell. However, a nagging sense that “it might be time” isn’t the same as being truly ready to sell your company.
21 min read
How to Maximize Business Value Before Selling [2026 Guide]
According to Pepperdine Private Capital Markets' Report, 31% of business sale engagements ended without a transaction in 2025. The top reasons were a valuation gap (26%), unreasonable seller/buyer demands (14%), and no market for the business (12%).
6 min read
How Buyers Evaluate Risk and What It Means for Your Valuation
If you plan to sell your business, you need to understand how a buyer evaluates risk because it will determine your valuation and deal terms. Most business owners focus on revenue and growth. Buyers focus on exposure. They look for anything that could weaken cash flow after closing or create instability in the transaction.