Private Equity vs Individual Buyers: How to Sell Your Business for Maximum Value

If you're thinking about selling your business, one of the biggest questions is:

👉 Who will actually buy it?

In this episode of Happy Buyer, Happy Seller, business broker Shaun Thornton sits down with private equity expert Matt Fitzgibbon to break down the real differences between individual buyers and private equity firms and how that impacts your exit strategy, valuation, and deal structure.

💡 You’ll also learn why only 15% of businesses actually sell, and how understanding private equity can dramatically improve your odds.

Whether you're: ✔ A business owner preparing for an exit ✔ A founder exploring valuation and acquisition strategies ✔ A buyer trying to understand deal structures ✔ Or just curious how private equity works behind the scenes

This episode gives you a clear, practical roadmap to navigating the business sale process.

📌Connect or follow Shaun Thornton

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaunthorntonbusinessbroker/

👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShaunThorntonBusinessBroker/

👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyBuyerHappySellerPodcast

00:00 – Who Will Buy Your Business? (Big Question)

04:30 – Individual Buyer vs Private Equity (Core Difference)

11:20 – LOI vs Purchase Agreement (Deal Structure)

18:40 – How Private Equity Values a Business

26:10 – SDE vs EBITDA (What Really Matters)

35:50 – What Private Equity Actually Looks For

46:30 – Working Capital & Why Deals Fall Apart

#PrivateEquity #SellYourBusiness #BusinessBroker #BusinessValuation #Entrepreneurship #ExitStrategy #MergersAndAcquisitions