Welcome to First Choice Business Brokers Columbus

We have been bringing Buyers and Sellers together since 1994

If you are looking to buy or sell a business in Central Ohio, then you come to the right place.

Since our founding in 1994, First Choice Business Brokers has grown to become one of the nation's most trusted business sales specialists. We have listed and managed the sale of over $7.5 billion in successful business transactions.

First Choice Business Brokers provides you with the benefits that only come from experience and years of proven, tested results. Our goal is to give you the kind of foundation you need to make strong business decisions and plan your exit strategy.

We are a business brokerage firm, specializing in the sale and purchase of small to medium size main street businesses and commercial properties. Conveniently located in Columbus, Ohio on Polaris Parkway right off State Rt 71.

Our Columbus office is led by President/Owner Frank Nunziata an industry veteran with 40+ years of experience in accounting, sales, marketing, and business ownership. Nunziata is also a licensed Real Estate Broker with the state of Ohio.

Meeting your needs is of paramount importance. Our goal is to assist Sellers to complete the sale of their businesses at the optimum price quickly , and professionally . We work in the strictest confidence without alerting customers, employees, competitors, or suppliers. We do all of this while remaining in contact with you, throughout the transfer process, ensuring all your needs are met.

We also assist Buyers to find the business that is best suited to their specific needs. We will discuss initial investment and financing, lease negotiations, and act as a liaison between the Buyer and the Seller.

What kind of businesses do we sell? We represent a wide variety of both independent and franchise businesses ranging from:

• Service
• Distribution
• Construction
• HVAC
• Retail
• Medical Billing
• E-Commerce
• Manufacturing
• Restaurants
• Wholesale
• Practice Sales
• B2B Services
• Child Care
• Automotive
• Property Management
• Healthcare Services

We serve Central Ohio in the following counties: Franklin County, Delaware County, Richland County, Marion County, Union County, Licking County, Pickaway County and Fairfield County.

The Foundation for Strong Business Decisions

First Choice Business Brokers is different. You instantly get a dedicated partner who will put considerable knowhow and experience to work for you.

Here are seven of the reasons why First Choice Business Brokers is the optimal fit for your needs.

1. Our team possesses broad market knowledge in business sales and acquisitions.
2. We conduct strategic and innovative marketing, tailored to sell your business.
3. We have over 28 years of successful experience in business sales.
4. Over the years, First Choice Business Brokers has developed an extensive buyer network and relationships with attorneys, accountants, and lending institutions to work for your business needs.
5. Experience matters. At First Choice Business Brokers, we have well-developed systems and procedures, ensuring that the transaction is handled effectively and efficiently, from start to finish.
6. Since 1994, we have listed and managed the sale of over $7.5 billion in successful business transactions.
7. Above all else, First Choice Business Brokers offer integrity, honesty, and confidentiality in all dealings. 

6 Steps to Selling Your Business in Columbus, OH

1. Deciding On Business Value

When you decide to sell your business, the first step is accurately determining its value. A comprehensive valuation will include many factors: 

● Growth prospects.
● Revenue trends
● Profit margins
● Customer concentration
● Industry concentration
● Strength and depth of the management team
● Competitive Advantages

You may hear acronyms like EBITDA versus EV. These are related to a popular valuation tool. EBITDA size: measures a firm's financial performance --(earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization). EV determines the firm's total value--(enterprise value). If you are confused, an experienced business broker like FCBB will help you understand and provide an accurate valuation.  

2. Your Reasons For Selling

People sell their businesses for many reasons, from leaving a turbulent economy to moving on to a new venture. Or you may be ready to retire. Consultation with a professional brokerage agency like FCBB- in Columbus, Ohio, can help clarify your reasons for selling and prioritize the next steps.

3. Due Diligence Assessments

Small business owners may be inclined to follow their instincts, but there are more reliable methods to keep a business safe by identifying and managing risks. 
Due diligence assessments identify and manage high-risk issues for all aspects of your business including third-party due diligence. A broker will assess the risks of engaging with a specific third party (a buyer) by reviewing all available information. 

Many owners find due diligence to be complicated and time-consuming. However, professionals with expertise streamline the process to identify and manage all aspects of risks all the time. 

Due diligence may require some time and money in the beginning, but it always pays off in the long run. 

Established in 1994, FCBB is a reliable business broker with authority to handle your business' due diligence. Helping owners to stay safe in Columbus Ohio by assessing and managing risks using reliable tools.

4. Preparing Legal Documents

When selling your business, documentation is an area where you need to pay close attention. If things go wrong with documentation, there can be legal ramifications later. If you're a first-time seller, this can be a daunting prospect. Contact Frank Nunziata from FCBB's Columbus, Ohio office for assistance with legal documentation while selling your business. We have access to a  professional team of lawyers, bankers, accountants, real estate and insurance brokers to process legal documents. 

5. Finding The Right Buyer

As a business owner, you are concerned about who will buy your business. Are they qualified? What will happen to customers and employees who depend on the services or products? Visit the FCBB office in Columbus, Ohio, to discuss details of the buyer you are looking for, and we will find the match! Finding qualified buyers and completing due diligence is a full-time job for business brokers. We have a roaster of interested buyers for you to choose from.  

6. Negotiation And Closing

The art of negotiation is the final step to closing a deal. Exciting and stressful at the same time, the skilled negotiator gets the best deal. If you are in Columbus, Ohio, consult with FCBB. Our advisors pride themselves with proven successful negotiations.  

Advantages of Selling Your Business

1. Economic Recovery

The business world is recovering from the fallout of the pandemic. The market has surpassed pre-pandemic levels with great opportunities for the seller. If you're looking to sell your business, this is an ideal time.

2. Time For Yourself

Any successful business can be all-consuming to own and operate. If you've been doing it for many years you may be ready to take a step back and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Do you want to leave the company altogether or scale back?  Consultation with FCBB-Columbus Ohio will advise you of the best choices to meet your needs. 

3. Mitigate Business Risks

While some markets are in a good position, yet there are still struggles operating and owning a business following the global pandemic. Most recently uncertainty caused by rising inflation and the scaling back of the central bank stimulus program have generated fears. Owners may consider  selling as a strategy relevant to the perception of market volatility in the near future. 

Professional advisors provide objective advice using tools and strategies to help ride out periods of volatility.  If Columbus, Ohio, is the city nearest to you, visit First Choice Business Brokers for advice to mitigate business risks. 

4. Cutting Your Losses

Cutting your losses may be necessary if you have been affected badly during the pandemic. There are options available that will help to prevent further loss in Columbus, Ohio. Contact a First Choice Business Broker for a timely solution.

5. Favorable Tax Rates 

Tax rates play a strategic role when selling your business. Because the Federal Reserve has kept inflation low up until now tax rates have been favorable. That can change in the future, making selling your business more difficult. Some predictions say corporate income tax might increase to 28% from 21% in 2023, affecting your business significantly.

6. Moving On To Another Business

As a business owner, your perspectives, interests or requirements might change over time. Some people want to retire, but others want to move to another business venture. A good sale can give your new business enough momentum and capital to ensure success moving forward. Consider hiring a professional business brokerage agency like FCBB -Columbus for the best results of your sale. 

Selling Your Business -FAQs

1. How Do I Value My Business Accurately?

The simplest way to determine your business value would be to divide the total assets by your liabilities. But truly valuation is not that simple. More accurate calculations might be beyond your scope as a business owner. So the best answer to the question “How do I value my business accurately?”  is to hire a business broker. FCBB can take care of your business sale if you're in Columbus, OH. Drop by our office for a free consultation.

2. Why Should I Sell My Business?

There are many reasons to do so.The best advice is to think carefully about selling your business. Consult with family and friends who can support your personal and emotional reasons. But you need a team of professionals to provide the business advice. You may have conflicted feelings and business concerns that muddy the waters making it hard for you to understand clearly why you should sell. Often the decision to retire is clear, you are ready and that's that. But weighing your options for other personal and business concerns may be more difficult. 

● Moving on to another business.
● Losing money through your business.
● Retiring from business altogether.
● Risk mitigation due to a volatile economy.
● Relocating to another area. 

Contact FCBB Columbus office for consultation with an advisor to review your situation and help you clearly define why you should sell your business. Knowing why you should sell your business dictated next steps moving forward! 

3. Are There Any Benefits To Selling My Business?

You started your business with a vision and personal and business goals that aligned closely, but over time the two sets of goals are not so aligned anymore, and that’s okay, that’s life!  The benefit of selling is to align your current personal and business goals once more. These are some benefits for your consideration: 

● Are you ready to retire, if so you know it and the benefit of selling is cashing in on the funds that will finance your retirement. 
● Your entrepreneurial spirit has new visions for branding and creating a new start-up. Selling your existing business will provide you with the capital you need for a new venture. 
● Structuring a sale that transfers your business to new owners and generates liquidity for you, but allows you to remain involved in the business if you choose. 
● When the equity in your business represents your most valuable assets, you may benefit by selling and diversifying your personal finances. 

There are many benefits to selling a business, consulting with First Choice Business Brokers is the best way to consider these benefits and explore others as well. 

4. Can I Sell A Franchise Business?

You can sell your franchise business with involvement from the franchise owner. The buyer will need to accept the terms of your agreement with the franchiser. You may have been quite familiar with what is expected when you purchased the franchise, but rules change over time. A business broker can advise you regarding current regulations of selling a franchise business in Ohio. 

5. Is There A Good Time To Sell My Business?

Understanding why you are selling and what you hope to accomplish will help you decide when selling will be best for you. 
However, the general rule of thumb is to put your business on the market when there is demand in your niche, and the economy is still friendly to investors. 
An advisor will tell you that preparing your company before entering the market will attract the best buyers. The First Choice Business Broker in Columbus has professional advisors familiar with the market trends and will help you choose the best time to sell in your market. 

6. Can A Business Broker Make Selling Easier?

Yes, business brokers improve the entire process from valuation to finding the best buyer and closing the deal. Having a business broker onboard is an attractive feature for a suitable buyer. Consult with First Choice Business brokers in Columbus to understand how our certified advisors can assist when you have decided to sell your business. Our goal is to take on the burdens and make selling simple, straightforward and successful for you. 

7. Will Other People Find Out If My Business Is For Sale?

Strict confidentiality is a must during the process of selling a business. Owners handling all aspects of a sale themselves face many difficult hurdles in maintaining confidentiality throughout the process. In fact, it is near impossible! If staff or customers find out the company is up for sale the details of the valuation change significantly, with a negative impact for both the owner and any prospective buyer. A business brokerage is able to provide confidentiality by keeping details out of the office. Your advisor knows when and how to draft and have all parties sign a legally binding non-disclosure agreement with potential buyers. It is imperative to maintain confidentiality during the sale of a business. When a business broker is on board, the answer is No, other people will not find out your business is for sale. 

8. What Are The Benefits Of Hiring A Business Broker?

● Confidentiality
● Timely sale
● Provide a pool of qualified buyers
● Provide an accurate valuation
● Audit all documentation related to the sale
● Access to a team of professional lawyers, accountants, bankers, real estate and insurance brokers who advise on legalities and prepare legal documentation.
● Performing due diligence
● Handles all negotiations
● Closes the transaction and facilitates a smooth transition

If your business is in Columbus Ohio, the First Choice Business Broker will gladly expand on these and more benefits they provide. 

9. Can Business Brokers Handle My Legal Documentation?

While business brokers are not qualified to give you legal advice, their tenure gives them a view of general legal issues so they can point you in the direction of the professional you need, when you need them. 

First Choice Business Brokers have access to lawyers who provide legal advice and documentation. Bankers and accountants to assist with financials, real estate and insurance brokers for consultation and to provide the necessary documentation from their domains. 

10. How Quickly Can Business Brokers Sell My Website?

Listing periods of between 30–180 days are common with brokers and marketplaces. But you may not get your desired price in a month or two. E-commerce businesses with automated content creation processes will sell more quickly than poorly set up, improvised sites. Selling a website depends on the market condition, competition, and how well your website competes with others in the market. A website will sell more quickly if you have a good product in high demand. A business broker specializing in this niche will accelerate the sale of your website.

We have been bringing Buyers and Sellers together Since 1994.

If you are thinking about selling or buying a business, call us for a No Cost confidential consultation. We look forward to working with you!