What actually happens when you try to sell your business?

After years of buying companies as an executive, selling his own business to a publicly traded company, and now running deals as an M&A advisor at Raincatcher, Marvin Karlow has seen exactly why most business owners leave massive money on the table when they exit.

In this episode, Marvin breaks down how business sales actually work – from valuation multiples to deal structures to the "Mount Everest problem" that kills most transactions after the buyer is already found.

Marvin's story is legit. He grew his company through acquisitions and mergers, then sold to a publicly traded company (which he calls a "proctology exam"). But what really fired him up was watching business owners get terrible representation from brokers who just wanted to close ANY deal – not the RIGHT deal. Now he helps owners in the $1M-$100M range get full value through competitive auction processes.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why almost ANY profitable business can sell (and the simple math to estimate yours)
• The valuation multiple ranges by business size ($1M earnings = 3-5X, $10M = 7-10X)
• Why online businesses are easier to sell and often command better multiples
• The #1 deal killer (hint: it's NOT finding a buyer – it's what happens after)
• How SBA loans work and why you'll likely do a 10% seller note
• What "equity rolls" and "second bite of the apple" actually mean (this is where real wealth is made)
• The due diligence landmines that make buyers walk away
• Why your business "flaws" are actually opportunities buyers want to pay for
• When to DIY your sale vs. hire a broker vs. hire an M&A advisor

About Marvin Karlow:

Marvin Karlow is an M&A advisor at Raincatcher, specializing in technology and online businesses in the lower middle market ($1M-$100M enterprise value). Before advising, he was a business owner who grew through acquisition and ultimately sold to a publicly traded company. He's been on both sides of the table – as a buyer finding undervalued companies and as a seller navigating complex deal structures. His mission is simple: help business owners avoid the bad representation that costs them millions.

Connect with Marvin:

• Connect with Marvin on LinkedIn
• Company: Raincatcher
• Free consultation: Mention this podcast for a no-pressure conversation about your exit options. Contact him at [email protected].