What is my business worth?

By Tony Miller · Published 2026-11-14T00:00:00.000Z · Updated 2026-11-15

Owners often arrive at a directory after searching for what a company is worth. A listing page cannot answer that. Value depends on the business, the financials, the lease, customer concentration, how much the company depends on the owner, and how a buyer would structure the deal. This page explains how to start the conversation, not what your company would sell for.

It is general information, not a valuation, appraisal, or offer. This directory does not publish asking prices or completed sale prices, and it does not appraise businesses.

What “worth” usually means in a sale

People use the word loosely. In a sale conversation it can mean different things:

Those are not interchangeable. A high number without financials, or a rule of thumb taken from another industry, is not a substitute for work done on your company.

What to have ready

On a first call, you will usually be asked for a realistic picture of the business, not a marketing flyer. Typical starting materials include recent financials, a sense of owner compensation and add-backs, the lease and how transferable it is, customer and vendor concentration, and how the company would run if you stepped back. The how to choose a business broker guide covers this in more detail.

If a firm offers a valuation or an exit plan, ask what the work includes and what it does not, what it costs, and whether it is an opinion of value, a marketing range, or something else.

How this directory treats valuation claims

On each listing, the attribute grid marks Valuation services as true only when that firm’s own site or a public description supports the claim. If we cannot read that fact, the listing shows not enough info. We do not guess from a company name, and we do not invent a number for your business.

The same rule applies to exit planning and other services. Read the profile, then call and ask.

Licensing and who may advise you

In California, a person who is paid to negotiate the sale or lease of a business opportunity generally must hold a real estate broker license, or a salesperson license and work under a licensed broker. Confirm any license on the Department of Real Estate public lookup before you hire anyone. A longer walkthrough is in How to check a business broker’s California DRE license. This directory does not verify licenses.

If a sale might transfer corporate stock rather than business assets, securities rules can also apply. Ask how the deal is being structured and who will handle that part.

A confidential first conversation

You can compare business brokers by city at no cost, or ask a confidential question. Questions are answered privately by the directory’s advisor team. Nothing is posted publicly, and your details are never shared with any broker without your permission. That question is not an appraisal and is not a commitment to list the business.

For how advisors typically keep a process quiet, see keeping a sale confidential. To confirm a license, see How to check a business broker’s California DRE license. Common seller questions are also collected in the seller FAQ.

Sources

Common questions

How do I find out what my business is worth?

No honest online answer can put a number on a specific business. Value depends on your profit, risk, growth, industry, and how much the business relies on you. A licensed advisor can go over this privately on a free 30-minute Confidential Consultation and can provide a valuation there. There is also a plain-language guide on this site, What is my business worth.

Do businesses really sell for three times earnings?

You will hear rules of thumb like that, but they are just starting points. Real prices vary a lot by industry, size, growth, risk, and how much the business depends on the owner. Two businesses with the same profit can sell for very different amounts. Rules of thumb can mislead you in either direction. A proper valuation looks at your actual numbers and comparable sales.

What do buyers look at when buying a small business?

In general, buyers look at profit and whether it will keep coming, how long customers have stayed, whether a few customers make up most of the revenue, how much depends on you, how clean the records are, and whether the business is growing. They also look at the lease, licenses, equipment, and staff. Strong, steady, and documented usually beats big but messy.

How can I make my business worth more before I sell?

Buyers tend to pay more for businesses that run without the owner, have repeat or recurring revenue, do not rely on a few customers, have accurate books, and show steady growth. Small, steady steps in each area help: document your processes, train a number two, keep better records, and spread your customer base. A licensed advisor can point out what matters most for your business on a free 30-minute Confidential Consultation.

See all seller FAQs