You can find great opportunities for investments in established Vermont businesses for sale. Vermont businesses that are active have an established customer base, source of revenue and business operations. An existing business also may own valuable patents or copyrights.

It is often more expensive to buy a VT business for sale than to start a new one, although it is generally easier to obtain financing for an existing business. Investors tend to be more comfortable with a business that has a proven performance.

There are three primary actions to perform before buying a business for sale in Vermont:

1. Review the tax returns and financial statements over the last few years for Vermont retail businesses for sale. Vermont businesses can measure their growth potential with actual experience rather than conjecture.

2. Examine the current profits for the small businesses for sale. Vermont businesses will have expenditures such as employees’ salaries, utilities and insurance that you must deduct from the sales revenue.

3. Inspect the operations of prospective business opportunities. Vermont businesses may have obsolete inventory, dissatisfied employees or outdated distribution methods.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate a Vermont business for sale

Many websites offer listings of companies for sale. Vermont listings of businesses for sale should show the location, asking price and cash flow, among other details.

I recommend: BizSale.com lists Vermont businesses for sale and includes a separate database of unique businesses for sale and businesses you can buy for less than $100,000. MergerNetwork has an extensive database of businesses for sale in Vermont and provides a summary of each listing.

Locate Vermont business brokers to assist you in the purchase process of a business

VT business brokers can identify businesses that are clearly undesirable and help negotiate a price on the best candidates. A business broker also will help you obtain any licenses and permits that Vermont requires.

I recommend: Richard A. Mathurin & Associates manages business ownership transitions in the manufacturing and technology sectors for Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Michael Henry in Rutland specializes in businesses for sale in Vermont.

Hire a Certified Public Accountant before purchasing VT businesses for sale

A CPA will need to review the financial records of any business in which you are interested. Additionally, a CPA can ensure that you file any required legal documents.

I recommend: Associates in Accounting is in Essex Junction and provides business valuation services for clients in Vermont. Misasi & Misasi in Middlebury offers strategic business planning for prospective business owners.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Review the physical assets of the Vermont business for sale. You will need to know if the office equipment, machinery and other property is actually in working order. You also will want to inspect the building itself to know if it meets the health and safety standards that Vermont requires.