Covey's Words of Wisdom Live On

You might say that much of what the late Stephen Covey wrote in his first book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, is what your mother taught you: Put first things first, for instance. 

But how he applied those principles to success in business is what made the book phenomenally successful. More than 25 million copies have been sold worldwide since it was published in 1989.

Following Covey’s advice when you’re either thinking of buying a business or of selling one, the first thing you should do is find a business broker you trust.

Check out my video for advice on how to select a business broker:  

How to Choose A Business Broker

And, if you haven’t read Covey’s book(s), I highly recommend them.

Make Reading Business Books a Habit

Today, let's begin taking a look at the Top 3 Best-selling Business & Investing Books on Amazon.

Here’s an excerpt from an interview with Charles Duhigg, author of  The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business, currently No. 3 on the Amazon list.

If you’re looking for a business to buy or already own a great business that you want to grow and eventually sell, consider doing what Duhigg says a major retailer does –fulfill your customers’ wants and needs by studying their habits.

Q: What was the most surprising use of habits that you uncovered?

A: The most surprising thing I've learned is how companies use the science of habit formation to study - and influence - what we buy.

Take, for example, Target, the giant retailer. Target collects all kinds of data on every shopper it can, including whether you’re married and have kids, which part of town you live in, how much money you earn, if you've moved recently, the websites you visit. And with that information, it tries to diagnose each consumer’s unique, individual habits.

Why? Because Target knows that there are these certain moments when our habits become flexible. When we buy a new house, for instance, or get married or have a baby, our shopping habits are in flux. A well-timed coupon or advertisement can convince us to buy in a whole new way. But figuring out when someone is buying a house or getting married or having a baby is tough. And if you send the advertisement after the wedding or the baby arrives, it’s usually too late.

So Target studies our habits to see if they can predict major life events. And the company is very, very successful. Oftentimes, they know what is going on in someone's life better than that person's parents.


 Check back tomorrow and Wednesday to see what I’ve gleaned from the other two books.

Non-Medical Home Companion Price Reduced

We've just cut the price on this Flagler County business. It's been a struggle for these owners and it's time for new blood. The price is just about at the same level as if you bought a new franchise. Contact me for details.

Jon Hunt
Senior Associate
jonhhunt@bellsouth.net

Restaurants are Big Business

If you have any doubt that the food service industry is a big economic factor consider this. Did you know that that the restaurant industry is projected in 2012 to generate $632 Billion in sales and employs over 12.9 million employees in the U.S, according to the National Restaurant Association. We have hundreds of restaurants listed for sale in Florida from the simple concepts to the full service providers. Contact me for a list of restaurants in you area.
Jon Hunt
Senior Associate
jonhhunt@bellsouth.net

Need to Buy a Job?

It's no secret the unemployment rate is high and the best option for some is to buy a job...that is to buy a business. We have more than 1,000 businesses listed for sale for $100,000 or less in Florida. I will help you find the one that is right for you. Please take a look at my short video and of course "likes" "Comments" and subscriptions to my YouTube channel are welcome. Contact me for a list of businesses that meet your financial needs and qualifications.

 The video is on www.YouTube.com/staugustinebizbroker 

Jon Hunt jonhhunt@bellsouth.net

Clay County Businesses for Sale

Check out these great opportunities in Northeast Florida's booming Clay County -- from a tax practice to a fencing contractor to a fast food franchise.

Let me know if you'd like more info on any of these listings.

Jon Hunt
jonhhunt@bellsouth.net
904.823.7225 
 Clay County

Accounting

Listing No.	Location	Category Detail	Price	Down	Adj Net	Sales
BBF-75609126	Clay, Florida USA	Tax Practice	125,000	80,000	76,189	106,189

Agricultural

Listing No.	Location	Category Detail	Price	Down	Adj Net	Sales
BBF-75611161	Clay, Florida USA	Nursery/Plants	695,000	225,000	0	0

Construction

Listing No.	Location	Category Detail	Price	Down	Adj Net	Sales
BBF-74717165	Clay, Florida USA	Contractor Fencing	500,000	250,000	200,000	1,100,000
BBF-74716748	Clay, Florida USA	Contractor Installer	500,000	250,000	250,028	1,530,321

Flooring

Listing No.	Location	Category Detail	Price	Down	Adj Net	Sales
BBF-74703417	Clay, Florida USA	Flooring Products	50,000	50,000	52,524	455,824

Gas Station

Listing No.	Location	Category Detail	Price	Down	Adj Net	Sales
BBF-13453513	Clay, Florida USA	Gas Station/C-Store	1,695,000	1,695,000	264,618	2,204,277

Lawn/Landscaping

Listing No.	Location	Category Detail	Price	Down	Adj Net	Sales
BBF-75611157	Clay, Florida USA	Lawn Biz Residential	105,000	65,000	52,161	152,576

Photography

Listing No.	Location	Category Detail	Price	Down	Adj Net	Sales
BBF-74703880	Clay, Florida USA	Photo Studio	199,000	50,000	45,632	146,363

Restaurants

Listing No.	Location	Category Detail	Price	Down	Adj Net	Sales
BBF-73909346	Clay, Florida USA	Fast Food Franchise	105,000	105,000	52,360	247,735

Eight Percent of Business Sales have SBA Backed Loans

We had a very good presentation from the folks at Wells Fargo regarding SBA loans. It's true that only eight percent of business sales involve SBA backed loans. Another ten to twelve percent of sales are for cash. That means the vast majority of business sales involve owner financing. While many business owners are reluctant to offer financing it can be a great deal since the percentage is going to be far higher than you could earn in a CD or money market account. Even if owner financing isn't offered...it can always be a condition of an offer.