Business sales made simple, strategic, and successful

Sell your business with confidence, clarity, and expert support every step of the way

Selling a business is more than a transaction – it’s a pivotal life decision. Whether preparing for retirement, shifting focus, or exploring new business opportunities, the right support helps you achieve the outcome you deserve.

This service is designed specifically for small business sales under NZ$1 million. For businesses valued between NZ$1 million and NZ$20 million, please refer to our Mergers and Acquisitions page, which covers larger and more complex transactions.

From valuation to due diligence, negotiation to transition, every step shapes the final result when you list your business for sale. With thoughtful guidance and proven processes, Biz Mergers and Acquisitions helps you move forward with confidence, clarity, and the assurance that your goals are front and centre.

Our proven approach to business sales

Biz Mergers and Acquisitions has developed a clear framework for anyone wondering how to sell a business with confidence. Each stage is designed to simplify the process, reduce stress, and deliver strong outcomes when selling a business in Auckland and throughout New Zealand.

Initial preparation

Understanding the true position of your business is essential before going to market. The first step in business sales includes:

A clear business assessment, reviewing profitability and operational efficiency.
Professional market appraisal and business valuation services, tailored for small and medium enterprises.
Ensuring all financial records and operational data are accurate, complete, and ready for review.

Strategic business sale planning

Every business is unique. The right plan aligns with your personal goals and market conditions:

Custom sales strategies built around your timing and priorities.
Buyer profiling to identify qualified parties aligned with your values and objectives.

Marketing and Outreach

Effective marketing secures the right buyer while protecting confidentiality:

A compelling, confidential Information Memorandum to present your business.
Targeted marketing using networks, channels, and databases to attract serious interest.

Due Diligence and Negotiation

Professional guidance during due diligence ensures transparency and trust:

Coordination of the due diligence report process, including financial verification.
Experienced negotiators manage pricing, structure, and terms to achieve a strong outcome.

Finalising the deal

From accepted offer to handover, the final phase of business sales matters just as much as the first:

Legal documentation and Sale & Purchase Agreements (SPAs) finalised with accuracy.
Support with transition, communication, and continuity to protect your legacy.

Support beyond the sale

Expert guidance continues after the transaction to help you make the most of what comes next:

Post-sale planning and financial direction tailored to your personal goals.
Introductions to trusted professionals for reinvestment, retirement, or new ventures.

How to use your market appraisal strategically

A market appraisal gives you a realistic understanding of what your business may sell for based on current market trends, buyer activity, and comparative sales. The market appraisal isn’t just a price tag – it’s a tool for:

Evaluating the best time to go to market.
Identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas to improve before listing.
Supporting negotiation with data-driven insights.
Managing expectations around business valuation in New Zealand and market realities.

For owners wanting to sell a business NZ, understanding the difference between a market appraisal and a formal corporate valuation is vital. One reflects buyer behaviour. The other is used for legal, compliance, or capital raising purposes.

Exit with clarity and confidence

Letting go of a business isn’t just financial – it’s emotional. For many owners, the business represents years of commitment, growth, and sacrifice. A thoughtful and strategic approach to business exit planning protects that legacy and ensures the next phase is as rewarding as the last.

Biz Mergers and Acquisitions provides tailored advice and personal support throughout the exit process, helping you stay focused on what matters most while preparing for a successful transition. This includes:

Setting clear exit goals aligned with your lifestyle and financial plans.
Balancing emotional ties with market reality to achieve a fair and timely outcome.
Ensuring a smooth handover to the right buyer.
Retaining value for staff, customers, and the brand.

Surround yourself with the right experts

Selling a business involves more than a great buyer and a signed agreement. Behind every successful business sale is a team of professionals working to protect your interests, maximise value, and ensure a smooth transition. Two of the most important roles? Your accountant and your lawyer.

Your accountant: strategic insight from preparation to settlement

Accountants play a vital role in preparing your business for sale, positioning it for buyer confidence, and guiding the financial side of the transaction.

Key ways an accountant supports your business exit strategy include:

Preparing accurate financial records and forecasts that support your business valuation and stand up to a detailed due diligence report.
Advising on tax-efficient structures, including earn-outs, deferred payments, and other financial scenarios.
Helping to clarify what your business is worth, especially if you are seeking a small business valuation or assessing how to structure a business for sale in today’s market.
Ensuring confidentiality, compliance, and sale timing are carefully managed.

A trusted accountant not only helps you present the strongest version of your business, but also ensures your goals are reflected in every stage of the process.

Your lawyer: more than just contracts

An experienced, commercially astute M&A lawyer brings more than legal expertise – they understand how to protect the value and viability of the deal.

They help you:

Negotiate and structure the Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) to align with your overall business exit planning.
Identify commercial risks and propose pragmatic solutions to maintain deal momentum.
Navigate regulatory and compliance matters, which is especially important in NZ business sales.
Protect your interests when dealing with issues such as vendor support, non-competes, and post-sale obligations.

For anyone wondering how to sell a business successfully, a skilled legal advisor is a key asset.

Why choose Biz Mergers and Acquisitions?

Selling a business is a significant milestone – one that deserves expert support, local insight, and a team that puts your goals first. Here’s what sets Biz Mergers and Acquisitions apart:

SME specialists in NZ business sales:

Deep expertise in selling privately owned businesses valued up to NZ$1 million, with a clear understanding of what drives successful outcomes in this space.

Local market insight and buyer intelligence:

Years of experience navigating NZ business sales gives you access to real data, serious buyers, and finely tuned positioning.

End-to-end support from start to settlement:

From initial business valuation to negotiation and final handover, every stage is managed with care, discretion, and expertise.

Collaborative approach with your advisors:

We’ll work alongside your accountant, lawyer, or preferred professionals – or you can tap into our trusted network for expert support.

Proven results across industries:

A track record of delivering strong outcomes for business owners across sectors including consumer goods, technology, transport, services, manufacturing, industrials, healthcare, and more.

Clear communication and practical advice:

Straightforward guidance with no jargon. Clients are kept informed, supported, and empowered every step of the way.

Results that speak for themselves

Our results are measured not just in deals closed, but in the trust we build and the legacy we help protect. From privately owned SMEs to $100M transactions, our clients rely on Biz Mergers and Acquisitions to deliver value at every stage of the journey.

Letterboxd

“Navigating the sale of our large technology (SaaS) business, Letterboxd, to an offshore (CA) purchaser was a complex and high-stakes process; large numbers, complex shareholding structures, international taxation issues and tight deadlines. We knew we needed someone in our corner with the right experience and commercial acumen to help us through. That person was Atesh Bhej from Biz M&A.

Atesh worked seamlessly with our legal team; bringing a calm and strategic approach to one of the most important milestones in our business journey. He helped us manage the financial complexities of the deal with confidence—protecting our interests, anticipating issues before they arose, and ensuring everything stayed on track from negotiation to completion. We couldn’t have asked for a better financial advisory partner.”

Karl von Randow
Co-Founder – Letterboxd

Kiwi Coaches

“Selling Kiwi Coaches wasn’t just a business decision – it was the end of a chapter we’d built over decades. From the first conversation, Atesh Bhej understood that. He brought clarity, structure, and confidence to what could have been an overwhelming process. We spent more than 20 years building a successful business that will provide for comfortable retirement.

Atesh wasn’t just a facilitator – he was a dealmaker. He worked closely with us to prepare the business for sale, guided us through every step of the transaction, and helped secure the right buyer at the right value. He knew when to push, when to hold, and how to protect our interests throughout.

If you’re thinking of selling your business, talk to Atesh first. His experience, instincts, trustworthiness and ability to deliver results speak volumes. Atesh Bhej is ONE OF THE BEST.“

Calvin & Katie West
Former Owner – Kiwi Coaches

FAQs: Frequently asked questions about business sales

How do I sell a business in New Zealand?

The process involves preparation, business valuation, buyer profiling, marketing, due diligence, negotiation, and legal finalisation. Working with the experienced advisors here at Biz Mergers and Acquisitions simplifies the journey and helps you achieve better results.

What is the difference between a market appraisal and a business valuation?

A market appraisal estimates what your business is likely to sell for based on recent business sales in Auckland and New Zealand, and buyer demand. A formal business valuation NZ is more detailed and often used for legal or compliance reasons. Biz Mergers and Acquisitions can help with both market appraisals and business valuations.

How to get a market appraisal?

It is as simple as requesting a confidential consultation. Appraisals draw on current market data, comparable sales, and operational performance.

What is the best time to sell a business?

That depends on market conditions, business performance, and personal goals. A strategic exit plan uses appraisal insights to evaluate timing. For many, spring and early summer are active periods in NZ business sales.

How much is my business worth?

The value depends on revenue, earnings (e.g. EBITDA), assets, and industry conditions. A qualified advisor here at Biz Mergers and Acquisitions can provide a tailored business valuation for small business owners.

What kind of buyers are out there?

Buyers include local entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate acquirers. Many are looking for established operations or the best business to purchase with room for growth.

What documents will I need to sell my business?

You will need financial statements, tax records, lease agreements, employee contracts, and business plans. This supports the due diligence report process.

Is business brokering regulated in New Zealand?

Yes. Professional business brokering is typically carried out by licensed advisors with experience in managing complex transactions. Always ask about credentials and recent results.

What makes a business appealing to buyers?

Consistent profits, strong customer base, operational systems, and growth potential. If you want to sell your business, addressing these areas will help attract better offers.

What are my options if I am not ready to sell now?

There is still value in business exit planning. Reviewing your position, improving documentation, and setting a future timeline ensures you are ready when the time is right.

Sell your business with confidence and clarity

Whether you are ready to go to market or just exploring options, Biz Mergers and Acquisitions is here to help. Let us guide you through what is possible.