Valuation Is More Than a Multiple If you’re a business owner contemplating a sale—whether now or years from now—one question inevitably rises to the surface: “What is my business worth?” In today’s market, the answer is more nuanced than many owners expect. Valuation is not determined by a simple industry multiple or online calculator. It reflects a combination of financial performance, operational maturity, market conditions, buyer appetite, risk profile and future growth po

For many aspiring entrepreneurs, the decision to start a business from scratch or buy an existing one can feel like a choice between freedom and structure. While starting from zero can be exciting, buying an established business often provides a faster, safer, and more strategic path to wealth creation. Understanding why acquisition can make more sense is critical for anyone looking to maximize return on time, capital, and effort. Starting a business requires building everyth

Most business owners associate valuations with selling, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg. In reality, understanding your company’s value touches every major decision — from investment and growth planning to risk management and succession. A valuation isn’t just a number. It’s a diagnostic tool, a strategic roadmap, and a framework for understanding the levers of your business. At its core, a valuation measures both what a business is and what it could become. It forces

Selling your business changes the way you see everything. One day, it’s just another day running your company. The next, every contract, every spreadsheet, every customer relationship feels like it’s on display. And the moment institutional buyers start paying attention, it gets even more intense. At Open View Brokerage, we’ve seen it countless times. Institutional buyers — private equity groups, family offices, strategic acquirers, don’t just look at your revenue or your gro