Pricing Reality & the Tax Clock: Realistic Expectations Before You Sell

Why do buyers propose earnouts, what drives a premium price, and why does tax planning have to start years before a sale? Session 2 of the Exit Readiness Webinar Series answers all three. Many owners set a price in their heads long before a buyer sees the financials. In this session, a panel of exit-planning professionals explains how buyers actually price risk, which operational improvements move a business up its valuation range, and why the tax and deal-structure options available at closing depend on decisions made years earlier. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN Why an earnout is a buyer's hedge against owner-dependency risk, not a compliment The four questions every buyer asks about financials, systems, technology, and audit trail Why "What multiple can I get?" is the wrong question, and what to ask instead How cybersecurity gaps, litigation exposure, and operational inefficiency affect value Why advanced tax strategies need clean, buyer-verifiable financials and years of lead time How your business structure today limits or expands your options at closing Why your COO, CPA, financial advisor, and valuation professional should be coordinated early PANELISTS Dr. Evan B. Duke, Exit Engineer and President & CEO, Evan Duke Enterprises, Inc. | Fractional Leadership Solutions Richard Freiberg, CPA, Profitability Consultant, Richard Freiberg CPA PC Dennis B. Kremer, CPA, Business Valuations Moderator: Christopher Monte, Vice President, HUB International Carolinas THE SERIES (Wednesdays, 9:30 AM ET) Session 1 (Oct 7): Are You Actually Ready? Preparation Gaps and the Management Team Buyers Won't Discount: [SESSION 1 VIDEO LINK] Session 2 (Oct 14): This video Session 3 (Oct 21): Protecting the Deal: Confidentiality Risk and Representations & Warranties Insurance. Register: [SESSION 3 REGISTRATION LINK] Session 4 (Oct 28): You Can't Do This Alone: Building the Right Advisory Team, with Live Q&A. Register: [SESSION 4 REGISTRATION LINK] TAKE THE NEXT STEP Questions about your own exit timeline? Visit https://evanduke.com or call 864-735-7613. Subscribe to this channel for the rest of the series and for practical exit-readiness guidance for founder-owned businesses. DISCLAIMER This webinar is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, accounting, insurance, or investment advice. Consult your own qualified professionals about your situation. Panelist views are their own. CONNECT LinkedIn:   / dr-evan-b-duke   Facebook:   / dukeenterprisesscor   #ExitPlanning #ExitReadiness #BusinessValuation #SellingYourBusiness #FractionalCOO