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Decipher Your Value
Know what your business is worth — before you need to
Fair Valuations. Real Numbers. Zero Pressure.
L.A. Based
(775) 373-5214


How to Evaluate a Business Sale Offer (Before You Say Yes or No)
You’ve built your business—now an offer is on the table. But is it actually a good deal? Learn how to look past the "big number" to evaluate the structure, tax impact, and true market value of any offer before you step into due diligence.

Peter Lopez
Jun 3


How Do I Value a Business to Buy Out My Partner Fairly?
Buying out a partner is a massive life event. Learn how to use SDE and market multiples to find a fair price that respects your "sweat equity" and the market reality—without the $10k certified valuation fee.

Peter Lopez
May 19


The Ultimate Guide to Selling Your Business in 2026: Interest Rates, Market Timing, and Your Bottom Line
Thinking of selling your business in 2026? Discover how rising interest rates and changing market conditions can impact your business sale—and get practical tips to help you make the most of your exit. The Ultimate Guide to Selling Your Business.

Peter Lopez
May 13
![[HERO] Small Business Exit Planning: A Practical Roadmap to Selling on Your Terms](https://cdn.marblism.com/0H7wEf-4xo9.webp)
![[HERO] Small Business Exit Planning: A Practical Roadmap to Selling on Your Terms](https://cdn.marblism.com/0H7wEf-4xo9.webp)
Small Business Exit Planning: A Practical Roadmap to Selling on Your Terms
Most business owners don’t have an exit strategy until they’re already burnt out. Don’t wait until you’re "done" to start planning. Discover how Julian and Elena navigated the transition from operator to seller, and how to build a business that is actually sellable.

Peter Lopez
May 7


What is the best way to value a small business for sale?
Don't fall for the "Magic Number Trap." Whether you're in HVAC or tech, discover the most accurate ways to value your business for sale and why revenue isn't the whole story.

Peter Lopez
May 6


How to Value a Small Business (Without Hiring a Broker)
Stop guessing what your company is worth. From SDE multiples to EBITDA, this guide breaks down how to value a small business using real-world data, helping you move from a "magic number" to total negotiation clarity.

Peter Lopez
May 4


Los Angeles Business Valuation: What Small Business Owners Need to Know
Navigating a business valuation in the competitive Los Angeles market doesn't have to be complicated. From understanding SDE to local multipliers, here’s what every LA small business owner needs to know to get the right price.

Peter Lopez
May 2
![[HERO] The Los Angeles Multiplier: Is Your Business Worth More Just Because of Your Zip Code?](https://cdn.marblism.com/EvLxts2E_kN.webp)
![[HERO] The Los Angeles Multiplier: Is Your Business Worth More Just Because of Your Zip Code?](https://cdn.marblism.com/EvLxts2E_kN.webp)
The Los Angeles Multiplier: Is Your Business Worth More Just Because of Your Zip Code?
I get this question a lot. I’ll be sitting in a coffee shop in Santa Monica or a warehouse in Commerce, and an owner will lean in and ask: “Peter, I’m in LA. Doesn’t that mean my business is worth a premium compared to some guy in the Midwest?” After eight years as a business broker and performing over a hundred valuations, I’ve learned that the answer is a classic "yes and no." But mostly, it’s about understanding the "LA Multiplier", the invisible force that either pads you

Peter Lopez
Apr 24
![[HERO] 10 Things to Know for an SBA Backed Sale](https://cdn.marblism.com/H38PH-Vwsa5.webp)
![[HERO] 10 Things to Know for an SBA Backed Sale](https://cdn.marblism.com/H38PH-Vwsa5.webp)
10 Things to Know for an SBA Backed Sale
If you’re looking to sell your business, there’s a high probability that your buyer is going to walk through the door with an SBA 7(a) loan application in their hand. In my eight years as a business broker and after performing over 100 valuations, I’ve seen this play out in every industry from machine shops in the Valley to boutique retail in Santa Monica. The Small Business Administration (SBA) doesn’t actually lend the money; they guarantee a portion of the loan for the ban

Peter Lopez
Apr 22


How to Avoid the Biggest SBA Pitfalls When Structuring Your Business Sale
Selling your business with an SBA loan is the gold standard, but it’s also a minefield of rigid rules. From "tax return reality" gaps to lease hurdles that kill deals in the final hour, here is how to spot the pitfalls and structure your sale to actually get it across the finish line.

Peter Lopez
Apr 10


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


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


Understanding Business Valuation Services for Growth
Understanding Business Valuation Services for Growth | Decipher Your Value

Peter Lopez
Nov 10, 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


How to Build a Business Buyers Can't Resist: What Makes a Business Attractive
Learn actionable ways to make your business irresistible to buyers—focus on clean books, repeat customers, easy-to-run operations, and other buyer-friendly essentials.

Peter Lopez
Sep 23, 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


The Role of Owners: Why You Need to Become Replaceable Before Selling
The Role of Owners: Why You Need to Become Replaceable Before Selling

Peter Lopez
Sep 20, 2025


The Impact of Customer Concentration on Business Value
Learn why relying on a few big customers can hurt your business’s value—and what you can do about it. Get simple tips to spot, address, and fix customer concentration risks before you sell.

Peter Lopez
Sep 17, 2025


Why Strong Systems Make Your Business Worth More
Picture this: You've built a successful business, but when you're out sick for a week, everything falls apart. Orders get delayed, customers complain, and your team is scrambling to figure out basic processes. Now imagine the opposite: you take a two-week vacation, and when you return, everything ran smoothly without you. Which business do you think a buyer would pay more for? Strong systems aren't just nice-to-have organizational tools. They're value multipliers that can sig

Peter Lopez
Sep 16, 2025
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