Changing lives one sold business at a time

Leading business brokerage specializing in the purchase and sale of businesses in Western Canada.

Our process

1

Confidentiality

Our written guarantee, ensuring the utmost confidentiality for all your information.

2

Introduction

We go over what you can expect in terms of service, and learn about your business and plans.

3

Valuation

We analyze 3 years of financial statements and hundreds of market comparables.

4

Engagement

Once you are satisfied with the valuation, we enter a formal engagement agreement.

5

Marketing

We then draft a comprehensive Confidential Information Memorandum.

6

Buyer Search

We advertise to millions of buyers, including our exclusive contacts using a blind profile..

7

Negotiations

When a buyer places an offer on your business, Chinook will facilitate all negotiations.

8

Due Diligence

We will work with you to identify and collect all necessary infromation and documents.

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Testimonials

Matthew E

Seller

Ramon Ramirez was the selling agent for the business I purchased. He is a must-have contact for any business acquisition. He was exceptional to work with, bringing a wealth of experience, knowledge, and business contacts. The dealbuilder platform was also top notch.

Debashish M

Buyer & Seller

We had the most satisfying experience dealing with Mike Lenz at Chinook. Very knowledgeable and will always guide you properly. Will be looking to once again deal with him for another venture. Trust Mike to sell or buy business and you will never go wrong.

We are more than just the leading business brokerage for Vancouver Island - we do things a little differently here. Above all else, we believe in helping people, truly helping people.

It’s not about “selling” businesses for us. It’s about creating an environment conducive to collaboration, asking the right questions, providing heart-forward professional insight, and personal support that allows our clients to make the informed decisions that will support their life goals.

Pro

300 +

Businesses sold

Monthly usage:

Advanced Analytics
Unlimited Projects
Priority Support
Customizable Branding
Enhanced Security
All API Access
BUSINESS

$213 m

Sold in deal value

Monthly usage:

Business Analytics
10 Projects
Email Support
Limited Branding
Business Security
Business API Access
STANDARD

1,000 +

Lives changed

Monthly usage:

Basic Analytics
1 project
Support Ticket
On-Demand Branding
Basic Security
Basic API Access

Frequently
Asked Questions

We understand that when considering our services, you may have specific queries and concerns. That's why we have curated a collection of frequently asked questions.

Can’t find an answer?

How long will it take to sell my business?

Some businesses sell in as little as one week, and some even before they hit the public.  Similar to real estate, if the market is good and the price is right, a business may sell much faster. Our detailed valuations ensure that your business is priced reasonably within the market.

On average, it can take anywhere from 1 week to 18 months for your business to sell, based on numerous factors. We do our best to address all obstacles and prepare for success before we hit the market to achieve the best possible outcome.

How do you keep the sale of my business confidential?

Once your Confidential Information Memorandum (CIM) is complete, we draft a "Blind Profile." This is an enticing summary used to attract buyers without revealing the actual business that is for sale.

All buyers must sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before accessing the CIM or any information about your business. This legally prevents buyers from sharing information about your business to anyone else. You have full control as to whether you accept or reject buyer access to the presentation.

How do you determine my business valuation?

Chinook first works with you to determine exactly how you profit from running your business so that it is clear how much money is available to a new owner. We then consider the market sales data of similarly sized businesses from your industry right across North America. Using this market data, we calculate a justifiable asking price for your business. How do we know if an asking price is justifiable? It must achieve the 3 criteria every business buyer seeks when buying a business:

(1) The business must provide the buyer a living wage,

(2) The profits of the business must cover the payments of any debt used to purchase the business, and

(3) Finally, the business must provide a return on the money they invested into the business (after the buyer pays themselves a salary and covers their debt payments).

Do you charge for the business valuation?

A business valuation is complimentary during our onboarding process. We provide a free market-based estimate of value to each client who is considering an exit as part of our onboarding process.

How much does it cost?

Chinook charges an engagement fee of up to 1% of the asking price of each business. The engagement fee is fully deductible against any success fee owing to Chinook upon the successful sale of the business.

Why do we charge this?
Presenting a business to market requires a tremendous effort. Buyers require a comprehensive understanding of a business before submitting an offer. As Intermediaries, we facilitate this understanding by developing an informative Confidential Information Memorandum (CIM), which are typically 30-50 pages in length. While this engagement fee does not cover all of Chinook’s costs to prepare a business sale, it shows a commitment from our client that they are willing and ready to do the work required to achieve a successful sale.

For an example of a CIM, click here.