<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Trustmark Mergers & Acquisitions ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Award-winning business broker serving Charlotte, NC and nationwide. We help owners of mainstreet/lower middle market businesses get successful exits. ]]></description><link>https://www.trustmarkmergers.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 20:18:50 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.carolinaadvisory.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Why Business Sales Break Down]]></title><description><![CDATA[When a business sale fails to close, the outcome can be very frustrating for everyone involved. While some deals collapse due to unavoidable obstacles, many unravel because of issues that could have been anticipated or managed earlier. Many first-time buyers and sellers don’t realize that sales can fall apart even due to surprisingly minor issues or due to factors that are rooted in personal dynamics rather than financial ones. Not Enough Time for the Sales Cycle Closing rates among business...]]></description><link>https://www.trustmarkmergers.com/post/why-business-sales-break-down</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a7b3736186d19218998a5e5</guid><pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 14:54:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ce032_9b0a85576c3c4a8f857d9b592b18d811~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Mark Herrmann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What Helps a Business Sale Actually Reach The Closing Table]]></title><description><![CDATA[Receiving an offer on your business is a major milestone, but experienced buyers, sellers, and advisors know that an accepted offer is only one step in the transaction process. The real challenge is navigating the weeks (or sometimes months) between an agreement and a successful closing. While some deals are derailed by unforeseen events, most transactions succeed or fail based on preparation, communication, and expectations. Here are four factors that consistently contribute to successful...]]></description><link>https://www.trustmarkmergers.com/post/what-helps-a-business-sale-actually-reach-the-closing-table</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a7b338bbc8e587d4396088f</guid><pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 14:39:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ce032_7f2045fe4d674d06800011ace4eb79a3~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Mark Herrmann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A $5M Offer Isn't Always Worth $5M: Why Deal Structure Determines What You Keep]]></title><description><![CDATA[Ask a business owner what their company sold for and they’ll give you one number. Ask them what they actually walked away with — after debt payoff, taxes, the working capital adjustment, and the seller note that’s still being paid down — and you’ll get a very different answer, usually accompanied by a story. Here’s the uncomfortable truth from the intermediary’s side of the table: two offers with the same headline price can differ by hundreds of thousands of dollars in real, after-tax,...]]></description><link>https://www.trustmarkmergers.com/post/a-5m-offer-isn-t-always-worth-5m-why-deal-structure-determines-what-you-keep</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a568558aa2c7341eb4b83ff</guid><pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 18:55:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ce032_7f2045fe4d674d06800011ace4eb79a3~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Mark Herrmann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Business Was Worth More Three Years Ago]]></title><description><![CDATA[We’ve had this conversation more times than we can count: an owner is finally ready to sell, but the business they’re bringing to market is no longer the business buyers would have paid a premium for three years earlier. The business has been good to them. They’ve built something real. But when we dig into the financials, the picture is softer than it used to be. Revenue has plateaued. A couple of key people have left. The owner pulled back on reinvestment because, understandably, they didn’t...]]></description><link>https://www.trustmarkmergers.com/post/the-business-was-worth-more-three-years-ago</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a5682681bb29de820cd8144</guid><pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 18:45:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ce032_4f590d434812468d91aff97ecb97a396~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Mark Herrmann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why Lease Terms Can Make or Break A Business Sale]]></title><description><![CDATA[When a business changes hands, the lease attached to it can be just as important as the business itself. This is especially true for restaurants, retail stores, salons, and other companies that rely heavily on location and customer traffic. A strong location can add value to a business. However, the downside of the equation is that a problematic lease can create unexpected headaches for both buyers and sellers. For anyone considering the purchase of a business, reviewing the lease should be...]]></description><link>https://www.trustmarkmergers.com/post/why-lease-terms-can-make-or-break-a-business-sale</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a283d7199361b5d20d4b2c4</guid><pubDate>Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:25:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ce032_4f590d434812468d91aff97ecb97a396~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Mark Herrmann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Looking to Buy a Business in 2026? Then Get Serious About How You Appear to Sellers]]></title><description><![CDATA[In Main Street business sales, it is not uncommon for a good listing to get hundreds of buyer inquiries. Why do only a fraction of these inquires make it to the negotiation table is simple. Many buyers are simply unqualified, aren’t serious and don’t earn the trust and respect of the broker that has the listing.  If you've sent inquiries and heard nothing back, you're not being ignored — you're being filtered. Our job is to present the most qualified prospects to seller, not tire kickers who...]]></description><link>https://www.trustmarkmergers.com/post/looking-to-buy-a-business-in-2026-then-get-serious-about-how-you-appear-to-sellers</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a20b13af9e37e2aaa17ae70</guid><pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2026 23:07:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ce032_d79a2cbfeda5487da0ba9973d22d1bda~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Mark Herrmann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[5 Mistakes That Can Derail Your Business Sale]]></title><description><![CDATA[After closing dozens of business sales over the past few years, I've developed a clear picture of what separates successful deals from failed ones. The same warning signs keep appearing, and the same avoidable errors keep surfacing at the worst possible moments. What's striking is that most of these deals don't fall apart because of a bad market, an unreasonable buyer, or unfavorable economic conditions. They fall apart because of decisions the seller made, often with the best of intentions....]]></description><link>https://www.trustmarkmergers.com/post/5-mistakes-that-can-derail-your-business-sale-1</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69fcb566666cfccd9417292f</guid><pubDate>Thu, 07 May 2026 15:53:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ce032_c31c406002084466b87d1743aa92da50~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Mark Herrmann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[5 Ways to Maximize Your Business Value Before You Sell]]></title><description><![CDATA[Every day I sit across from business owners who have poured their lives into building something meaningful — only to discover, often too late, that they have little idea how buyers will assess what they've built. If you're planning to sell your business someday, understanding what drives valuation isn't optional. Here's what you can do right now to make your business more attractive and more valuable. 1. Get Your Financials in Order One of the most common mistakes business owners make is...]]></description><link>https://www.trustmarkmergers.com/post/5-ways-to-maximize-your-business-value-before-you-sell</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69fb4aae5caf4ed272bfcf0a</guid><pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2026 14:24:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ce032_1164965c97d74786b795eea2119fbd48~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Mark Herrmann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Prepare a Business For Sale: 12 Months Before Listing]]></title><description><![CDATA[Selling your business is a significant decision that requires careful planning and preparation. If you’re considering selling your business in the next year, here are the top things to do in the 12 months leading up to the sale: 1. Get Your Financials in Order Detailed Financial Records:  Prepare at least three years of financial statements to provide a clear picture of your business performance. This includes tax returns, profit margins, and revenue trends. Forecasting:  Create financial...]]></description><link>https://www.trustmarkmergers.com/post/prepare-a-business-for-sale-12-months-before-listing</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69cd1bb62a4608ae0019c3a5</guid><pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 13:21:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ce032_b4e402847f1e42c1af3e25e6a21d4c0e~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Mark Herrmann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How Business Processes Impact the Value of a Business Value]]></title><description><![CDATA[Documenting business processes can significantly enhance the value of a company before a sale. Here’s how: 1. Demonstrates Operational Efficiency Standardization:  Well-documented processes showcase how operations are standardized, which can lead to consistent quality and performance. Identifies Improvements:  Documentation can highlight inefficiencies and areas for improvement, demonstrating a proactive approach to operations. 2. Facilitates Training and Transition Onboarding New Employees:...]]></description><link>https://www.trustmarkmergers.com/post/how-business-processes-impact-the-value-of-a-business-value</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69cd0c65011a766e716a7bcd</guid><pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:17:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ce032_137132038201433e87e610a7397b34b3~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_988,h_961,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Mark Herrmann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[2025 Year in Review: BizBuySell Market Recap]]></title><description><![CDATA[The U.S. small business transaction market reached a period of stabilization in 2025, with deal volume holding steady and sale prices continuing an upward trend. Total enterprise value reached $7.95 billion, marking a 3% increase from 2024. While quarterly swings reflected broader economic uncertainty — transactions dipped in Q1 and Q2 amid inflationary pressures, then rebounded 8% in Q3 as owners moved to capitalize on strong valuations — the overall picture shows a market in balance. Median...]]></description><link>https://www.trustmarkmergers.com/post/2025-year-in-review-bizbuysell-market-recap</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a706285f34dbe2951dd681</guid><pubDate>Tue, 03 Mar 2026 16:09:34 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ce032_8fae7e5ec4f64b9095c3977545cf8a34~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_700,h_355,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Mark Herrmann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[In Search of a Boring Business]]></title><description><![CDATA[Nicole Rizzo and her husband, David Rizzo, are among the growing ranks of “corporate refugees" turning to sometimes surprising jobs. The couple bought Die Cleaning Equipment, a Phoenix aluminum business.   Credit...Jesse Rieser for The New York Times Younger would-be chief executives are increasingly seeking profits—and freedom from the 9-to-5—by pivoting from corporate jobs into often unglamorous small-business niches.  When Nicole Rizzo saw the “For Sale” listing for Die Cleaning Equipment,...]]></description><link>https://www.trustmarkmergers.com/post/in-search-of-a-boring-business</link><guid isPermaLink="false">699b687f33aebccb486a4b6f</guid><pubDate>Sun, 22 Feb 2026 20:35:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ce032_554c144c05434b6dbfbc5acec1c96ae6~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_728,h_391,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Mark Herrmann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Negotiation Tactics in Business Sales]]></title><description><![CDATA[Strategic Negotiation: Essential Tactics for Deal Success Negotiation can evoke a range of feelings: some people thrive on it, others dread it, and many fall somewhere in between. Regardless of your stance, the ultimate goal remains the same: to emerge successfully from the negotiation. Mastering effective negotiation methods and tactics can give you an edge where others might falter. The objective is to close deals effectively. Here are three negotiation strategies that have been proven to...]]></description><link>https://www.trustmarkmergers.com/post/negotiation-tactics-in-business-sales</link><guid isPermaLink="false">699b67f9b89ac23fa77db853</guid><category><![CDATA[Business Sale Tips]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 22 Feb 2026 20:33:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ce032_0d335611a81c44b79a0d23146b969611~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_900,h_600,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Mark Herrmann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Due Diligence: What to Expect As a Seller]]></title><description><![CDATA[This article is contributed by Ritchie Taylor, JD with the law practice of Manning Fulton and Skinner , Raleigh N.C. For most, the sale of a business is a new experience that requires sellers to learn many entirely foreign processes in a very short amount of time. The many steps to selling your business can be long and tedious, and chief amongst those steps in terms of length and tedium is due diligence.  To those unfamiliar, due diligence is the process by which buyers attempt to gain a...]]></description><link>https://www.trustmarkmergers.com/post/due-diligence-what-to-expect-as-a-seller</link><guid isPermaLink="false">699b6676b89ac23fa77db503</guid><category><![CDATA[Business Sale Tips]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 22 Feb 2026 20:29:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ce032_cb03ca8cd606468c9f16b99633bb48fc~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_339,h_339,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Mark Herrmann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Risks of Underreporting Income for Business Owners ]]></title><description><![CDATA[One of the most critical questions for prospective buyers, investors, and lenders is understanding a business’s true income. However, it should come as no surprise that the party most invested in uncovering this information is the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Why is determining a business’s real income so difficult? While financial records should provide a clear picture, business owners often engage in practices ranging from minor adjustments to outright fraud in order to minimize reported...]]></description><link>https://www.trustmarkmergers.com/post/the-risks-of-underreporting-income-for-business-owners</link><guid isPermaLink="false">699b65dad0f466b1c6e1d1d2</guid><category><![CDATA[Getting Ready for a Sale]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 22 Feb 2026 20:24:55 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ce032_1675ccc15cee49caa2b2b881a05af25f~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_533,h_800,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Mark Herrmann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[When It Comes to Selling Your Business, Stay In Your Expertise Lane]]></title><description><![CDATA[While brokerage professionals are working to sell your business, it’s important for you to keep running things in a smooth and seamless manner. In countless cases, sellers have made the mistake of letting things slide simply because they are distracted while trying to sell. You’ll want to make sure things remain the same, as prospective buyers will otherwise start to become nervous. Be sure to keep the premises in tip top condition. Things such as operating hours and inventory levels should...]]></description><link>https://www.trustmarkmergers.com/post/when-it-comes-to-selling-your-business-stay-in-your-expertise-lane</link><guid isPermaLink="false">699b6474b89ac23fa77dafea</guid><category><![CDATA[Business Sale Tips]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 22 Feb 2026 20:19:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ce032_477d9516030c4678ad7306a4eed12ec8~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_900,h_600,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Mark Herrmann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How Private Equity's Vision for a Roofing Conglomerate Went Bust]]></title><description><![CDATA[Investment firms are buying and bundling contractors, leaving some workers and customers worse off. At 9 a.m. on a Tuesday in late October, as Nathan Hendricks drove to a cabinet installation job in Elk Grove, Calif., he got a call from his office. His employer, Reborn Cabinets, had shut down. All its workers were supposed to return their company vehicles and iPads by the following day. He was not entirely surprised. The company had changed a lot since Audax Group, a private equity firm,...]]></description><link>https://www.trustmarkmergers.com/post/how-private-equity-s-vision-for-a-roofing-conglomerate-went-bust</link><guid isPermaLink="false">699b62eab89ac23fa77dac22</guid><category><![CDATA[Private Equity]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 22 Feb 2026 20:13:13 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ce032_2df7aaf6aaf04abdbb0407cbb1bc18c9~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Mark Herrmann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Five Misconceptions About Business Sale Transactions]]></title><description><![CDATA[When it comes to mergers and acquisitions (M&#38;A), myths and misconceptions can be costly, especially since significant amounts of money are involved during these transactions. Many business owners, especially those new to the process, may fall prey to these common myths, which can undermine their chances of success. Understanding these misconceptions and how to deal with them is key to navigating the M&#38;A landscape. The Negotiation Ends After Signing the LOI So, your Letter of Intent (LOI) is...]]></description><link>https://www.trustmarkmergers.com/post/five-misconceptions-about-business-sale-transactions</link><guid isPermaLink="false">699b621ad0f466b1c6e1c7c1</guid><category><![CDATA[Business Sale Tips]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 22 Feb 2026 20:09:13 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ce032_9b0a85576c3c4a8f857d9b592b18d811~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Mark Herrmann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Lease Factor: Why Real Estate Can Make or Break a Business Sale]]></title><description><![CDATA[As the saying goes, the best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today. But many business owners may not know what to do TO prepare. Recently UBS Investor Watch looked at business owners who now face headwinds from higher interest rates, inflation and political uncertainly.]]></description><link>https://www.trustmarkmergers.com/post/exiting-on-your-terms</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6997ca79aab309115cb5d98b</guid><category><![CDATA[Business Sale Tips]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 02 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_d25151f6687147cea7aa3242d0826bef~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Mark Herrmann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Five Factors to Consider When Selling Your Business]]></title><description><![CDATA[Deciding to sell your business and getting ready for the process to sell your business, takes time. But how much time and how and when to get the process going?]]></description><link>https://www.trustmarkmergers.com/post/five-factors-to-consider-when-selling-your-business</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6997c852aab309115cb5d3fd</guid><category><![CDATA[Business Sale Tips]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 02 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_7b19d9cba87941749736552856bf80c8~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Mark Herrmann</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>