rom the little mom and pop convenience stores to larger manufacturers exporting goods around the world, small businesses are the backbone of our communities. Small businesses and entrepreneurs inspire us daily, acting as the heartbeat of the economy and the creative engine for our future. With over 10,000 active users, BizON has a front-row seat to helping small businesses stay open and thrive by finding them a new owner & leader who can carry their legacy and vision. We take much pride in this because keeping businesses and franchises in the micro-market alive has a positive impact on our economy locally, nationally and even globally.
The state of businesses for sale in the Canadian micro market
We define the micro-market as any business or franchise looking to sell for anywhere between $1,000 to no more than $5,000,000. Research conducted by The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) found that 47% of business owners intend to exit their business within the next five years ─ 8% within 12 months, and 39% in the next 1 to 5 years. Looking further ahead, 72% of owners plan to exit their businesses within the next ten years. To put this into perspective, over $1.5 trillion of business assets could be transferred to a new generation of business owners over the next decade. If all of this isn’t managed well, it could have a significant impact on jobs in many local communities and the economy overall. Moreover, if business owners aren’t creating sellable businesses, in addition to a valuable, organized and prepared businesses, this can put downward pressure on exit plans and valuations as there will be a flood of competition looking to exit and sell.
From an economic perspective, Canada hasn’t been very vocal on whether 2020 will be stronger or weaker, therefore, looking south of the border for some sort of indication on whether projections of a weaker economy are a possibility. We tend to nod our heads and say yes. But why? This is largely due to the narratives around the impeachment of President Trump and trade wars, which can impact Canada. Keeping this in mind, if Canada sees a weaker economy (or even an economy that is stagnant) individuals may face job insecurity and generally better interest rates for financing, therefore looking to purchase or start their own business. Business owners may see lower profits but higher valuations due to potential decreases in interest rates and the ability for a buyer to finance more cheaply.
Nevertheless, the business for sale market performed strong in 2019 in terms of the number of deals getting done and the multiples that sellers were receiving (3-4x EBITDA). I’m optimistic that this will continue in 2020 with an average deal size of $550,000 CAD.
As we dig into our data at BizON, we have a great view on the hotspots where most connections and transactions are occurring. Curious about the hotspots where businesses are selling the most? Here are the top four:
- Ontario
- British Columbia
- Alberta
- Manitoba
Aside from home-based businesses or any business not tied to a brick and mortar, these 4 provinces see a ton of action. These provinces are not only seeing interest from local buyers, but also from potential buyers from out of province, as well as foreign buyers (outside Canada).
Looking forward to providing more insight on the business for sale market and the exciting world of Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition.
BY NUNZIO PRESTA, CEO at BizON
Nunzio Presta is an ex-pro hockey player turned entrepreneur! He is also the Founder & CEO of BizON, an online marketplace with over 10,000 active users looking to buy, sell and grow businesses or franchises every day.
Nunzio is equipped with a wealth of knowledge when it comes to identifying, building and funding businesses – in addition to being a thought leader on product development, leadership, business & marketing strategy, and building culture. He sits on the board of multiple startups and is part of Startup Canada’s Entrepreneur Success Advisory Council, in addition to being a Startup Canada Advisor on #StartupChats.
Nunzio is a mentor to many entrepreneurs, small business and franchise owners, and is a regular contributor to Thrive Global, a digital resource for individuals and corporations spearheaded by Arianna Huffington.
Nunzio graduated from the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada with a Bachelor of Commerce.
