This week on Built to Sell Radio, William Brown shares his remarkable journey from selling a $50 Word document offering trading advice to building a multi-million dollar online education business that attracted serious interest from acquirers.
Based in Dubai, William’s story is a testament to how a simple, bootstrapped start can evolve into a highly valuable and sellable business.
Listeners will discover how to:
Identify and enhance key drivers that increase a company’s value.
Navigate the due diligence process to avoid deal-killing surprises.
Structure a business for a smooth and profitable exit.
Leverage customer relationships to attract potential buyers.
William’s ability to continuously refine his product based on customer feedback and strategically grow his business through webinars and paid ads ultimately led to a lucrative exit that allowed him to walk away on his terms.
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About William Brown
William Brown is a dynamic entrepreneur whose career journey exemplifies innovation and adaptability.
From his teenage years creating and selling skateboard videos, through exploring street art and launching a graffiti magazine, to producing music and touring internationally, William has consistently leveraged his passions into viable business ventures.
His entrepreneurial spirit led him to real estate investment and then to founding a highly successful e-learning company, which he later sold for a multi-seven-figure sum.
Today, William focuses on helping others build, grow, and exit their online education businesses through his new venture, embodying his philosophy to “Make money, have fun, and help people.
Definitions
Confidential Information Memorandum (CIM):
This document is used in M&A (Mergers and Acquisitions) transactions to convey important information about a business, including its operations, financials, and outlook, to prospective buyers or investors.
Due-Diligence:
This is a comprehensive appraisal of a business or investment undertaken before a merger, acquisition, or investment. It seeks to validate the information provided and uncover any potential risks or liabilities.
Earn-out:
This is a financing arrangement for the purchase of a business, where the seller must meet certain performance goals before receiving the full purchase price. It reduces the buyer’s risk and aligns the interests of both parties post-acquisition.
Limited Partner (LP):
An LP invests capital but does not have management authority or unlimited liability. They have limited liability, meaning they can only lose their investment and are not responsible for the partnership’s debts beyond their investment.
Re-Trading:
This occurs when a buyer attempts to renegotiate the purchase price of a deal after initially agreeing to one. It is often seen unfavorably as it occurs after due diligence, seemingly exploiting newly discovered information.
Letter of Intent (LOI):
This document outlines the basic terms and conditions of a deal before a formal agreement is drawn up. It serves as a mutual commitment between the buyer and the seller to move forward with the transaction on the agreed-upon terms.
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