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Decipher Your Value
Business Valuations at a Fair Price
Los Angeles Based
(775) 373-5214

Preparing a Business for Sale
Owners thinking about exit, timing, readiness, and buyer scrutiny.


Surviving the Scrutiny: Your Ultimate Guide to Business Sale Preparation in California
Preparing for a business sale in California? Due diligence is intense, but proper documentation can turn scrutiny into an advantage. Get a practical checklist for financial, legal, operational, and HR records—plus tips for keeping digital assets, customer info, and compliance in order for business sale preparation in California.

Peter Lopez
Nov 24, 2025


Wisdom Wednesday: Networking That Pays Off for Business Sale Preparation California
Strategic local networking is a secret weapon for business sale preparation in California. Learn how joining the right groups—Chambers, industry associations, peer networks—can boost your business value, connect you to professional advisors, and even help attract buyers, with practical tips for making connections that count.

Peter Lopez
Nov 20, 2025


M&A Monday: How to Find the Right Broker (And Spot Warning Signs)
Choosing the right broker for business sale preparation in California can make or break your deal. Learn key qualifications, warning signs, and tips to spot a partner who’ll protect your interests—and your bottom line.

Peter Lopez
Nov 17, 2025


Wisdom Wednesday: Personal Brand Power: How Owners Influence Business Value in California
For California small business owners, preparing for a sale means more than reviewing financials—it’s about your reputation. At Decipher Your Value, we’ve seen a strong personal brand add real dollars to a company’s price. Buyers measure your influence, industry relationships, and community trust. Your leadership and network can increase value—if you show it’s built into your team and not just tied to you.

Peter Lopez
Nov 13, 2025


M&A Monday: Legal Pitfalls to Avoid Before Listing Your Business for Sale
When it comes to business sale preparation California, most owners focus on financials, operations, and market positioning. But legal issues can derail even the most promising deals faster than you can say "due diligence." At Decipher Your Value, we've seen countless transactions stumble over preventable legal pitfalls that sellers didn't know existed.
The reality is that buyers are more sophisticated than ever, and their legal teams are trained to spot red flags.

Peter Lopez
Nov 10, 2025


Financial Friday: Understanding Your EBITDA: Shortcut to a Better Valuation for California Business Sale Preparation
Financial Friday: Understanding Your EBITDA: Shortcut to a Better Valuation for California Business Sale Preparation| Decipher Your Value

Peter Lopez
Nov 7, 2025


Wisdom Wednesday: Building Buyer Trust: Why Transparency Wins Deals in California Business Sales
When it comes to business sale preparation in California, most owners focus on polishing their financials and tidying up operations. But there’s one crucial element that separates successful sales from deals that fall apart at the last minute: transparency. At Decipher Your Value, we've seen hundreds of business transactions over the years, and the pattern is clear—owners who embrace transparency from day one consistently achieve better outcomes than those who try to hide the

Peter Lopez
Nov 5, 2025


M&A Monday: How to Kickstart Business Sale Prep: Your First Five Steps
Thinking about selling your business? Whether you’re planning to exit in six months or five years, business sale preparation in California requires careful planning and strategic thinking. At Decipher Your Value, we've seen hundreds of business owners navigate this process, and those who start early always come out ahead.

Peter Lopez
Nov 4, 2025


How to Prep Your Small Business for Sale in 5 Steps (California Owner's Edition)
Selling your small business in California isn't just about putting up a "for sale" sign. The Golden State's complex regulatory environment and competitive market mean you need to get your ducks in a row well before you start fielding offers. Whether you're running a tech startup in Silicon Valley or a family restaurant in LA, proper preparation can mean the difference between a quick, profitable sale and months of frustration. The good news? Most of the prep work is stuff you

Peter Lopez
Oct 21, 2025


Surviving Due Diligence: What Buyers Will Dig Into and How to Prepare (part 8 of 10)
Due diligence isn’t just paperwork—it’s the part where buyers peel back every layer of your business to see what’s really going on.

Peter Lopez
Oct 16, 2025


Negotiation Prep: Understanding Leverage and Avoiding Rookie Mistakes (Part 7 of 10)
Get ready to negotiate with confidence. Learn how to spot your leverage, avoid rookie mistakes, and keep control during your small business sale—no jargon, just practical tips that work.

Peter Lopez
Oct 14, 2025


Assembling Your Team: Who You Really Need on Your Side (Lawyer, Broker, Accountant...or Not?) (Part 3 of 10)
Assembling Your Team: Who You Really Need on Your Side (Lawyer, Broker, Accountant...or Not? | Decipher Your Value

Peter Lopez
Oct 11, 2025


Pre-Sale Checklist: Legal, Financial, and Operational Steps You Shouldn't Skip
Make your small business sale-ready with this essential pre-sale checklist. Review key legal, financial, and operational steps to boost buyer confidence and smooth the sale process—no jargon, just practical tips.

Peter Lopez
Sep 22, 2025


Cleaning Up Your Books: Simple Accounting Fixes That Boost Value
Get your business sale-ready with these simple, practical accounting fixes. Learn how tidying your books can boost your business value—and make a smoother sale—without the jargon or hassle.

Peter Lopez
Sep 21, 2025


Are You Making These 5 Common Mistakes When Preparing Your Business for Sale?
Avoid the most common pitfalls when getting your business ready to sell. Learn how to sidestep mistakes that can hurt your sale price and find out what really matters to buyers. Practical tips for small business owners.

Peter Lopez
Sep 19, 2025


Legal Steps You Should Take Before Selling Your Business
Selling your business isn't just about finding the right buyer and agreeing on a price. The legal preparation that happens before you even list your business can make or break the entire transaction. This kind of early preparation is one of the clearest indicators of sale readiness. From my experience working with business owners over the past eight years, I've seen deals fall apart at the last minute because sellers skipped crucial legal steps during the preparation phase. G

Peter Lopez
Sep 13, 2025


How to Use Your 401(k) to Buy a Business (Without the Headaches)
Buying a business often feels like a catch-22: you need money to make money, but getting that money usually requires already having money or jumping through endless loan hoops. If you've been building up your 401(k) for years, you might wonder if those retirement funds could help you become a business owner today. The good news? Yes, you can use your 401(k) to buy a business. The even better news? There are legitimate, IRS-approved ways to do it without getting hammered by ta

Peter Lopez
Sep 11, 2025


How to Minimize Taxes When Exiting Your Business
Learn practical ways to minimize taxes when exiting your business—timing, capital gains tips, and planning strategies, explained simply for small business owners

Peter Lopez
Sep 10, 2025


The Tax Implications of Selling Your Business in 2025
Learn the tax implications of selling your business in 2025—capital gains, state taxes, and planning tips explained simply for small business owners.

Peter Lopez
Sep 8, 2025


The Ultimate Guide to Timing Your Business Sale: Interest Rates, Market Conditions, and Your Bottom Line
The Ultimate Guide to Timing Your Business Sale: Interest Rates, Market Conditions, and Your Bottom Line| Decipher Your Value

Peter Lopez
Sep 6, 2025
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