You own a business for the freedom to create your own future.

Many business owners don’t make business valuation part of their ongoing process because they don’t know where to start. You can find the expertise through our team of advanced planning professionals.

Ask Barry if you qualify for one of our special discount programs.

1. What is a business valuation?
A business valuation is a formal assessment of what your company is worth — expressed as fair market value, liquidation value, and other generally accepted conclusions of value — based on your financials, industry benchmarks, and market conditions. At Blaze ‘N Bear, business owners receive a 29-page valuation report powered by BizEquity, the world’s largest business valuation platform, covering four distinct conclusions of value and scoring the business against 13 key performance indicators (KPIs).

2. Why do most business owners need a valuation?
98% of business owners do not know the value of their business — and you cannot grow, protect, or sell an asset you have never measured. Your business is likely your largest asset, yet only 2% of business owners have a clear estimate of their company’s fair market or liquidation value. A valuation provides the financial clarity needed to make informed decisions about retirement, succession, insurance, financing, and exit planning.

3. How does the business valuation process work at Blaze ‘N Bear?
The process starts with an initial conversation with Barry Fisher to determine which level of service fits your situation. Once your financial data is gathered and analyzed you receive a 29-page BizEquity report with four generally accepted conclusions of value, a KPI scorecard benchmarked against your industry, and guidance on how to increase your company’s value. The entire process is designed to give business owners in the Paso Robles and Central Coast area actionable intelligence, not just a number.

4. What does the business valuation report include?
The BizEquity – Blaze ‘N Bear business valuation report is a 29-page document that includes four generally accepted conclusions of value (including fair market value and liquidation value), a scorecard measuring your company against 13 key performance indicators, and insights into how your business compares to industry benchmarks. KPIs include return on equity, receivables conversion, inventory turnover, debt-to-equity ratio, cash flow to revenue, interest coverage, and more.

5. How does knowing my business value help me sell for more?
Business owners who knew their company’s value at least 18 months before going to market increased their sale price by at least 14% — that is the finding from an analysis of 82% of business owners who completed a valuation early in their exit process. Knowing your value gives you time to address weaknesses, improve KPI scores, and negotiate from a position of knowledge rather than guessing. Of businesses that go to market, only 17% actually sell — early valuation is one of the strongest differentiators for those that do.

6. When is the right time to get a business valuation?
The right time to get a business valuation is now — not when you are ready to sell. 70% of business owners plan to exit within the next 10 years, and 37% plan to sell within the next two years, yet 58% have no transition plan at all. Valuation is the foundation of every exit strategy, succession plan, buy/sell agreement, and insurance review. The earlier you know your number, the more time you have to act on it.

7. What is a buy/sell agreement and why does it require a business valuation?
A buy/sell agreement is a legally binding contract between business partners that governs what happens to ownership shares if a partner dies, becomes disabled, or exits the business. A valid buy/sell agreement requires an accurate business valuation to establish the purchase price — without one, surviving partners and heirs are left to negotiate or litigate value under the worst possible circumstances. Life insurance and disability insurance are typically used to fund the buyout, making the valuation the starting point for the entire plan.

8. How does a business valuation connect to life and disability insurance planning?
Your business value determines how much life and disability insurance coverage you actually need. 41% of business owners do not have life insurance tied to their company’s value, and only 22% have key-person insurance in place. If you die or become disabled without adequate coverage, your business — and your family’s financial security — may be at serious risk. A current valuation ensures your coverage matches your real exposure, not an outdated or estimated figure.

9. What happens to a business when the owner dies without a plan?
Nearly 47.7% of businesses fail after the owner’s death, and 70% of family businesses do not survive past the second generation. Without a valuation, succession plan, and properly structured insurance, a business built over decades can be forced into a distressed sale or dissolution within months. A business valuation is the first step toward ensuring the business continues — and that your family receives its full value — regardless of what happens to you.

10. What is key-person insurance and how is it connected to business valuation?
Key-person insurance is a life or disability policy owned by the business on a key employee or owner whose loss would significantly damage the company’s revenue or operations. Only 22% of business owners currently have key-person coverage in place. The valuation process identifies which individuals are most critical to business value — and quantifies what their loss would cost — so coverage can be sized appropriately rather than estimated.

11. Can a business valuation help me secure financing?
Yes — many lenders and investors require a credible business valuation before extending financing, investment capital, or credit lines. A formal valuation report from a recognized platform like BizEquity provides the documentation financial institutions need to evaluate your company as collateral or an investment. It also identifies financial weaknesses — such as high debt-to-equity ratios or low cash flow — that you can address before applying.

12. How is business valuation used in estate planning?
Business valuation is a required input for estate plans involving business interests, including trusts, gifting strategies, and succession planning. The IRS requires a defensible valuation for taxable events such as business transfers, gifts of ownership shares, and estate tax calculations. Establishing your company’s value through a recognized process reduces the risk of IRS disputes and ensures your estate plan reflects the actual worth of your largest asset.

13. What is BizEquity and why does Blaze ‘N Bear use it?
BizEquity is the world’s largest business valuation platform, having completed valuations for more than 200,000 businesses and serving 850 financial institutions globally. Blaze ‘N Bear uses BizEquity’s patented, cloud-based platform to deliver professional-grade valuation reports that are faster, more affordable, and more comprehensive than traditional valuation methods. The result is a 29-page report with four conclusions of value — the same standard used by financial advisors, attorneys, and CPAs.

14. How much does a business valuation from Blaze ‘N Bear cost, and how do I get started?
Contact Barry Fisher at (805) 635-7200 or [email protected] for current pricing and to find out whether your business qualifies for one of Blaze ‘N Bear’s special discount programs. Pricing varies based on the level of service required and the complexity of your business.