What To Do If Someone Approaches You to Buy Your Business

Is it a good offer?
Imagine you're running your business as usual when a surprising email lands in your inbox. A potential buyer, whom you've never contacted, reaches out with an offer to purchase your business. It’s flattering. It's unexpected. And naturally, the question that follows is: Is it a good offer?

The truth is, without context—without understanding your company’s financial history, growth potential, industry outlook, and value drivers—there’s no way to answer that question objectively. The only thing the offer reveals is whether you are happy with the number. It doesn’t say whether that number reflects market value, potential strategic premiums, or missed a opportunity by another more motivated buyer.

That’s why we advise every business owner in this situation to pause and take the next critical step: talk to more than one buyer.

Don’t Go It Alone

When a buyer knocks on your door, it’s natural to feel excited or anxious. But reacting too quickly can cost you terms too early or negotiating without preparation often leads to missteps. Value is left on the table, and risks go unseen.

This is why your first move should be a conversation with a qualified M&A advisor. At Breneman Advisors, we help business owners assess these kinds of moments with strategic clarity. We act as your sounding board and your advocate, helping you evaluate not just what’s being offered, but what’s at stake.

You Can’t Price What You Haven’t Valued

You wouldn’t sell your house without knowing its market value. The same principle applies to your business. To assess an offer, you need more than top-line revenue or net income. You need to understand what buyers actually value:

• Historical cash flows, and the ability to prove it.
• Team
• Opportunities for growth

Valuation is a simple math formula, but the inputs are complex. Our team of credentialed valuation and transaction professionals brings real-world perspective to determine what your business is worth, not just what someone is willing to pay.

One Buyer Means No Leverage

When you’re dealing with just one buyer, you lose negotiating power. You don’t know if the offer is competitive, because there’s nothing to compare it to. And if that buyer walks, you may be starting from scratch months later. The consequence of pursuing a single buyer is time lost.

Contrast that with a competitive sale process: multiple buyers, multiple bids, multiple structures. That kind of environment drives up price and creates options. We help owners explore the market quietly and confidentially, so when the time is right, they’re not negotiating in the dark.

Our experience is that to achieve the best results, you should have conversations with 30 or more buyers. More than 9 out of 10 times, our clients have never heard of the eventual buyer. There is a large universe of buyers seeking specific types of investments, and we know where to find them.

Use This as a Wake-Up Call

Even if you’re not ready to sell, an unsolicited offer is a signal: your business is on the radar. That makes now a smart time to ask, Am I ready?

• Are your financials clean?
• Is your team prepared to run without you?
• Do you have growth opportunities detailed?

Our Value Improvement services are designed to uncover value gaps and help you close them, so whether you sell in six months or six years, you’re in a stronger position.

Not Just Any Buyer

Selling your business is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. The right buyer isn’t just someone with cash—it’s someone whose vision, values, and plans align with your goals for the business and its people.

The right buyer fits your business both strategically and culturally. That’s why the best deals aren’t rushed; they’re selected. With guidance, you can assess not just the price, but the path forward.

Don’t Let One Offer Decide Your Future

An offer out of the blue is a signal that your business is valuable. But it’s not the final word.

If you’ve been approached, we encourage you to pause, assess, and talk to someone who’s been through the process many times before. We can help you evaluate the offer, determine your business’s value, and—most importantly—explore all your options before making a decision.

At Breneman Advisors, we help business owners sell with confidence.
Let’s make sure your next move is the right one.