Private Equity vs Individual Buyers: How to Sell Your Business for Maximum Value

Private Equity vs Individual Buyers: How to Sell Your Business for Maximum Value

From Happy Buyer, Happy Seller with Shaun Thornton by Shaun Thornton

March 30, 2026 · 56 min · Season 1 · Episode 7

About this episode

This episode explores the differences between private equity and individual buyers in the context of selling a business for maximum value.

If you're thinking about selling your business, one of the biggest questions is: 👉 Who will actually buy it? In this episode of Happy Buyer, Happy Seller, business broker Shaun Thornton sits down with private equity expert Matt Fitzgibbon to break down the real differences between individual buyers and private equity firms and how that impacts your exit strategy, valuation, and deal structure. 💡 You’ll also learn why only 15% of businesses actually sell, and how understanding private equity can dramatically improve your odds. Whether you're: ✔ A business owner preparing for an exit ✔ A founder exploring valuation and acquisition strategies ✔ A buyer trying to understand deal structures ✔ Or just curious how private equity works behind the scenes This episode gives you a clear, practical roadmap to navigating the business sale process. 📌Connect or follow Shaun Thornton 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaunthorntonbusinessbroker/ 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShaunThorntonBusinessBroker/ 👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyBuyerHappySellerPodcast 00:00 – Who Will Buy Your Business? (Big Question) 04:30 – Individual Buyer vs Private Equity (Core Difference)…

People in this episode

Host: Shaun Thornton

Guest: Matt Fitzgibbon

Topics covered

  • selling a business
  • private equity
  • individual buyers
  • business valuation
  • exit strategy
  • deal structure

Keywords

  • private equity
  • business sale
  • valuation
  • deal structure
  • exit strategy
  • business broker
  • SDE
  • EBITDA

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube

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