Scott Hanson releases guide to selling a business to private equity

Scott Hanson’s new Forbes Books title breaks down how entrepreneurs can navigate one of the biggest deals of their careers: selling a business. The book focuses on balancing price, deal terms, taxes, legacy and post-sale goals, with a particular emphasis on owners of professional services firms.

Why it matters: - Selling a business can be the biggest financial decision of an entrepreneur’s career. - The book is aimed at helping owners avoid costly mistakes when evaluating buyers, structuring deals and protecting the legacy they built. - The guidance is especially relevant for professional services business owners weighing private equity offers.

What happened: - Scott Hanson released The Private Equity Advantage: Balancing Price, Terms, and Legacy When Selling Your Business with Forbes Books. - The book is now available on Amazon and other major booksellers. - Forbes Books is the exclusive business book publishing imprint of Forbes. - The release was posted on behalf of Forbes Books, which is operated by Advantage Media Group under license.

The details: - Hanson is cofounder of Allworth Financial and a nationally recognized financial expert. - The book covers the full exit process, including when to sell, how to choose trusted advisors and how to evaluate private equity partnerships. - Hanson also addresses tax-efficient deal structures, employee communication and planning for life after the sale. - The book draws on frameworks, case studies and input from investment bankers, attorneys, tax specialists and private equity professionals. - Hanson’s experience includes founding, growing, buying and selling businesses, including deals with Fortune 500 companies and private equity firms. - The book argues that sellers should look beyond headline price and weigh terms, culture, employee well-being and long-term legacy. - Mark Zweig, founder of two Inc. 500/5000 companies and author of Confessions of an Entrepreneur, said the book breaks down a complicated process into bite-sized content and warns sellers not to treat private equity buyers like strategic buyers.

Between the lines: - The book is positioned as a practical playbook for owners who may have limited experience with M&A and private equity deal structures. - The emphasis on legacy and employee impact suggests Hanson is targeting sellers who care about more than maximizing cash at closing. - The private equity angle reflects a broader market where founders often need help comparing different buyer types and negotiating beyond valuation.

What's next: - Business owners planning retirement, succession or a new growth move are the book’s core audience. - Hanson says the goal is to help readers maximize business value while preserving what matters most. - More information about Scott Hanson is available on his website: ScottHanson.com. - More information about Forbes Books is available at books.forbes.com.