If you’ve spent decades, or perhaps even a lifetime, building a small business from the ground up, now might be a good time to sell. Valuations are up, and early signs suggest that trend won’t continue forever. You should begin preparing for a sale at least a couple of years before you hope to close a deal. So if you think you might be getting there, here’s what you need to do first.

No matter when you plan to sell your business—soon or many years down the road—a few steps now can ensure a more successful future transaction.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed in 2017 has been repeatedly called the most significant change to the tax code in three decades. It’s too soon to know if the legislation will improve the economy, but it’s important for businesses to know the impacts of the new provisions, and to adjust their strategies accordingly.

Getting your idea off the ground and into a business has taken a lot. You’ve hit bumps and rough patches. But now acquirers are taking note. You’ve arrived…almost.

Owners preparing to sell their company should be prepared to offer comprehensive, believable answers to the questions buyers often ask. At the heart of these questions is a desire to understand why the owner wishes to sell, whether there is a hidden agenda, and the extent to which the buyer can rely on assertions made by the owner.

2018: A Great Time to Sell Your Business

Selling a business that generates 5 million and under 10 million in revenue? Here is how to find the best brokerage firm to represent you when you live in “No Man’s Land”. Companies with sales of between $5 million, but under 10 Million annually may struggle with where to turn for assistance.

Business owners have often committed a significant portion of their lives to building their businesses. They devote every spare moment to perfecting their operations and managing their employees. While laudable, these efforts can also backfire. A business that can’t operate without its owner is one that is more vulnerable to failure when it sells.