How to Sell Your Business and Get What It’s Worth

Full sell-side M&A advisory for business owners with $3M to $50M in revenue.

Selling a business is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll make. Icon Exit provides full-service sell-side M&A representation — from valuation through close. We find the right buyers, create competition, negotiate the best terms, and manage the process so you can focus on running your business until closing day.

Icon Business Advisors is a Nashville-based M&A advisory firm built specifically for lower middle market business owners. Our team has built, scaled, and sold businesses — so we understand what’s at stake when you’re ready to exit.

Who Icon Exit Is For

Icon Exit works with business owners who:

• Have $3M to $50M in annual revenue
• Want to sell their business within the next 1–3 years
• Expect professional M&A representation, not a business listing
• Want multiple buyers competing for their business
• Value confidentiality throughout the process

Not right for: Businesses with less than $1M in revenue, owners who need to sell in under 90 days, or anyone looking for the cheapest option rather than the best outcome.

How the Icon Exit Process Works

Phase 1: Preparation (4–6 weeks)

We evaluate your business, identify value drivers, and build a compelling Confidential Information Memorandum (CIM) that tells your story to buyers.

Phase 2: Market Outreach (6–8 weeks)

We identify and approach 50–200+ qualified buyers — strategic acquirers, private equity firms, and family offices — through our network of 400+ boutique investment banks.

Phase 3: Negotiation (4–8 weeks)

As offers come in, we create competition between buyers, negotiate terms, and help you evaluate the best path forward — not just the highest number.

Phase 4: Close (4–8 weeks)

We manage due diligence, coordinate with attorneys and CPAs, and keep the deal on track through closing.

What You Get with Icon Exit

• Professional business valuation
• Confidential Information Memorandum (CIM)
• Targeted buyer outreach to strategic and financial buyers
• Virtual data room setup and management
• Offer evaluation and negotiation
• Due diligence management
• Closing coordination

Why Owners Choose Icon Exit

Operator Credibility

We’ve built, scaled, and sold businesses ourselves. We know the emotional weight of letting go, the fear of leaving money on the table, and the importance of finding a buyer who will take care of your team. We’ve sat in your chair.

Network Depth

Access to 400+ boutique investment banks means your business gets exposure to buyers other advisors can’t reach — including off-market opportunities.

Right-Sized Focus

Investment banks won’t touch deals under $50M. Business brokers lack the sophistication your transaction deserves. We built Icon to fill that gap.

Frequently Asked Questions About Selling a Business

How long does it take to sell a business?

Most business sales take 6–12 months from engagement to close. The timeline depends on business complexity, buyer availability, and deal structure. Well-prepared businesses with clean financials typically sell faster.

What is my business worth?

Business value depends on multiple factors including revenue, EBITDA, growth trajectory, customer concentration, and industry multiples. Lower middle market businesses ($3M–$50M revenue) typically sell for 3–7x EBITDA, though strategic buyers may pay more for synergies.

What fees do M&A advisors charge?

M&A advisory fees typically range from 4–10% of transaction value, with most falling in the 4–6% range for lower middle market deals. Many advisors also charge an upfront retainer. Icon charges a success fee based on deal value with a minimum engagement fee.

How do I know if my business is ready to sell?

Key indicators of exit readiness include clean financial records (3+ years), documented processes, management depth beyond the owner, diversified customer base, and consistent profitability. Our Exit Readiness Assessment can help you evaluate where you stand.

What’s the difference between a business broker and an M&A advisor?

Business brokers typically handle smaller transactions ($1M–$5M) with a listing-based approach. M&A advisors provide more comprehensive representation including buyer targeting, deal negotiation, and transaction management. Icon serves the middle ground — bringing institutional-quality M&A advisory to businesses that brokers can’t serve well but investment banks won’t touch.

Thinking About Selling?

Start with a confidential conversation. We’ll discuss your goals, timeline, and whether now is the right time to explore a sale.

Schedule a Confidential Call

Or download our free guide: The Complete Guide to Selling Your Business