How to聽Prepare to聽Sell a Business: What聽Buyers Look聽For聽and What Owners Miss

Over the years, I’ve worked on both sides of transactions, advising companies, evaluating businesses as an investor, and working directly with owner-led and family-owned companies. That perspective has shaped how I think about what it really takes to prepare to sell a business and what often surprises owners when they begin considering an exit. One of the most common misconceptions […]
What 鈥淥ptionality鈥 Means in M&A for Business Owners

When business owners begin thinking about selling their company, one concept comes up often but is rarely explained clearly: optionality. It sounds abstract, but it’s not. In the context of mergers and acquisitions, optionality is one of the most practical and valuable advantages a business owner can build. What Is Optionality in M&A? Optionality in M&A means having […]
Why Philadelphia Was the Next Right Market for Viking M&A聽

A diverse lower middle market, a strong base of privately held businesses, and growing succession needs made Philadelphia a natural place for Viking to deepen its Mid-Atlantic presence. Geoff Veale is building the office around that reality. When 最新糖心Vlog expanded into Philadelphia earlier this year, the move was about more than geography. It was a step into a market that […]
2026 M&A Outlook for the Lower Middle Market聽

What Business Owners Need to Know in 2026 At the start of 2026, the lower middle market is showing steady and disciplined M&A activity. Deal flow remains active, capital is available, and buyers are engaged. What has shifted is not demand, but how decisions are being made. Buyers are more deliberate, diligence is more thorough, and fundamentals are […]
Beyond the Numbers When Selling Your Business: How Buyers Measure Risk 鈥 and Value

When you decide to sell your business, it鈥檚 normal to focus on the headline numbers: revenue, EBITDA, and the multiple you hope to achieve. But from a buyer鈥檚 perspective, those numbers are just the starting point. The real work begins when they start assessing risk (in every corner of your company). As a professional intermediary […]
M&A Market Snapshot: Sector Valuations CPAs Should Watch聽

CPAs are trusted advisors. That means they’re often the first to hear when a client is thinking about a sale or restructuring. By having a pulse on sector valuations, a CPA can engage in those conversations with confidence. To help, Viking is committed to providing market-leading transaction insights. Here, we analyzed our most recent 100聽transactions. […]
Empowering East TN Business Owners: Viking M&A Launches Chattanooga Office聽

The recent opening of our Chattanooga, TN, division marked Viking M&A’s 14th location, further solidifying our presence in and commitment to the Southeast. With established offices in Nashville and Knoxville, this expansion ensures that even more Tennessee business owners can access Viking鈥檚 trusted expertise in navigating business sales, mergers, and acquisitions. A Thriving Environment with […]
What are 鈥淎dd-Backs鈥 and How Do They Impact Business Valuations?聽

When it’s time to sell your business, your financial statements tell a story. But if you’re still running meals, cars, and wellness retreats through the P&L, that story might need a little editing. That鈥檚 where add-backs come in. Add-backs are a crucial part of the business valuation process, especially in the lower middle market. For […]
Viking M&A Expands to Baltimore, Strengthens Support for Local Business Owners

The business landscape in Baltimore has gained a powerful new resource for entrepreneurs looking to buy or sell a business: 最新糖心Vlog has officially opened in Baltimore, Maryland. With this expansion, we continue our mission to provide expert guidance to small and mid-sized business owners navigating the complex process of mergers and acquisitions. […]
Fort Lauderdale鈥檚 M&A Activity and Business Climate in the Lower Middle Market

A Strategic Look at Business Growth, Opportunities, and Trends in South Florida When you think of Fort Lauderdale, your first thoughts might be yachts, sunshine, and waterfront living, but there is a serious business engine powering this paradise. As one of Florida鈥檚 most dynamic economic centers, Fort Lauderdale is emerging as a prime location for […]
Viking Expands to Dallas, Texas

最新糖心Vlog is proud to announce the opening of our newest office in Dallas, Texas, marking our fifteenth location across the Southern U.S. and our third in Texas. With established offices in Houston and Austin, this expansion allows us to better serve clients throughout the Texas Triangle, one of the nation鈥檚 most dynamic […]
2025 M&A Outlook for the Lower Middle Market

Multiple factors are aligning to create a dynamic M&A environment for closely held businesses in 2025. Declining interest rates, a surplus of private equity capital, and a wave of generational transitions are converging to fuel deal activity. These factors, paired with increased confidence in the post-election economy, point to a dynamic and competitive M&A landscape […]
How to Find a Buyer for Your Business: Expert Strategies That Work

Selling your business is a monumental decision, and achieving the best outcome requires that you look beyond “how to find a buyer for my business” and lean into “how to find the right buyer for my business.”聽聽 Finding the right buyer is about more than closing a deal 鈥 it is about ensuring the continuity […]
6 Types of Entrepreneurs: Matching Your Style to the Right Business Model

When discussing types of entrepreneurship, it is vital also to identify and recognize types of entrepreneurs. To fully appreciate the spectrum of entrepreneurship, we’ll discuss six main types of entrepreneurs: The Creator, The Builder, The Operator, The Innovator, The Visionary, and The Analyst. We distinguish between these types of entrepreneurs based on key characteristics that […]
Advisor Feature: Ben Locke in Nashville, TN

Middle Tennessee continues to experience exciting growth, and Viking M&A is thrilled to match the dynamic pace by welcoming Ben Locke to our Nashville office. Hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio, Ben鈥檚 journey to Nashville is as unique as his professional and athletic pursuits. An accomplished soccer player, Ben initially attended North Carolina State University on a […]
Top 5 Industries in Atlanta You Should Know About

Atlanta, GA, is a vibrant city with a diverse and thriving economy. Known for its southern charm and bustling urban energy, Atlanta has become a magnet for various industries, driving innovation and growth. Entrepreneurs looking to expand, start, or acquire a business in Atlanta are wise to understand the dynamic economic landscape. Here, we explore […]
Tax Breaks for Small Businesses (That Are Easily Overlooked)聽

As a small business owner, you鈥檙e probably used to meticulously tracking expenses and income, ensuring your balance sheet always balances. However, whether you do your own taxes or enlist the help of an outside firm, you may not be aware of several tax breaks for small businesses. Missing out on these effectively costs you money. […]
Gross Margin vs. Net Margin: Understanding Your Business’s Profitability

In business ownership, understanding your financial health is crucial. A key part of this is analyzing profit margins. Two critical metrics here are gross margin and net margin. This post will examine gross margin vs. net margin and help you understand their implications for your business鈥檚 profitability. What is Gross Margin: The Basics Gross margin […]
Advisor Feature: Matt McConnell in Nashville, TN

Amid Middle Tennessee’s continued growth, the 最新糖心Vlog team is excited to welcome Matt McConnell to our Nashville office. Matt brings a unique blend of military discipline, entrepreneurial spirit, and extensive experience in business management and operations to our team. The allure of Nashville’s milder climate and excellent educational opportunities brought Matt and […]
7 Tax Credits for Business Owners

As tax season approaches, it鈥檚 no surprise that no entrepreneur looks forward to it. But, there is a bit of hope: many tax credits for business owners are available if you know what to look for. While 最新糖心Vlog cannot give tax advice, we can connect you with an excellent tax advisor if […]