Didn't see this thread because I've spent the last four days down in South Beach, living the dream.
I've had offers to buy my company several times over the past 4-5 years. Each time I was still growing but had not yet reached the level where selling my biz would allow me to retire or significantly invest in other businesses. So essentially I would've just been selling my job - and without something else to do! Sure I could've lived off the money for a year or two or gotten a j-o-b somewhere. But why? I was still growing and I have a "magic figure" in my head. Once that is reached it's bye-bye Porn Nerd (hello beach).
But it really depends, like everything, on the situation. If there's not a pressing need or desire to sell then the owner can set his price (2x,3x,4x earnings) and if he doesn't get it he knows time is on his side and he'll get it eventually. Of course, if we're talking 100k+ a month vs. 20k a month it may be worth it just for the seed capitol.
