How long does it take to sell a business in Texas?

Most confidential business sales take 7-9 months from listing to closing, though preparation can begin 1-3 years earlier depending on readiness. Lion Business Advisors achieves a 70-80% success rate compared to the industry average of 20-30%.

What is my business worth?

Business valuation depends on financial performance, market conditions, industry multiples, and growth potential. Our valuation process benchmarks your business against current market data to establish a defensible price range. We specialize in businesses valued between $1M and $50M with annual revenues of $2M-$50M.

How do you protect confidentiality during a business sale?

We use controlled data systems, require NDAs before sharing information, vet all buyers for financial qualification, and maintain anonymity until you approve disclosure. Confidentiality is the most important ingredient in the successful sale of your business.

What makes Lion Business Advisors different from other business brokers?

We combine experienced M&A advisory with advanced valuation tools, rigorous buyer qualification, and full-cycle deal support. Our advisors hold certifications including CBI (Certified Business Intermediary) and CEPA (Certified Exit Planning Advisor). We achieve a 70-80% success rate and are recognized as M&A Advisors of the Year 2023 by Acquisitions International.

What types of businesses does Lion Business Advisors specialize in?

We specialize in owner-operated, founder-led trades and service businesses including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, construction, metal fabrication, landscaping, commercial cleaning, pest control, dental practices, medical practices, equipment rental, and staffing/recruiting firms. Our typical clients have revenues between $2M-$50M and enterprise values of $1M-$50M.

What is the 7-Step Lion Selling Process?

The 7-Step Lion Selling Process includes: (1) Valuation & Readiness Review using advanced models, (2) Preparation & Packaging with secure data rooms, (3) Buyer Targeting & Marketing with qualified prospects, (4) Negotiation & Due Diligence management, (5) Closing & Transition support. Every stage blends data-driven insights with hands-on advisory support to keep you informed and in control.

Do you work with buyers or just sellers?

While we primarily focus on seller representation (98% of our engagements), we also provide buyer representation services for qualified purchasers. We maintain an extensive buyer network reaching virtually 100% of business buyers through strategic marketing channels including BizBuySell, Axial, LoopNet, and direct outreach.

What are your fees for selling a business?

Our success fees follow the Modern Lehman formula structure, with an upfront administrative fee of $7,500-$20,000 covering valuation, preparation, and marketing. We compete on service quality and marketing expertise rather than fees, ensuring you receive comprehensive support throughout the entire transaction.

Q1 2025 Staffing & Recruiting Industry Exit Update

Sell Your Staffing or Recruiting Firm in Texas | Lion Business Brokers

What Owners Need to Know Before Selling Their Staffing Firm

Buyer Activity Is High, but Deal Quality Matters More Than Ever

The staffing and recruiting sector continues to attract serious buyer attention in Q1 2025. With continued labor shortages and high demand across healthcare, trades, logistics, and tech, well-run agencies with recurring clients and internal teams are commanding premium valuations.

But not all staffing firms are treated equally. We’re seeing a clear divide in the market: firms with systems and team structure are thriving, while owner-dependent operations struggle to get strong offers.

What Are Staffing Firms Selling For in Q1 2025?

Valuations remain steady, with higher multiples going to companies with strong client retention, low turnover, and scalable systems.

Staffing Firm Type	Typical Multiple	Key Drivers
Light Industrial / Temp Agencies	2.5x–3.5x SDE	Multiple long-term contracts, low client churn
Direct-Hire Recruiting Firms	3.0x–4.0x EBITDA	Niche focus, repeat placements, low owner involvement
Healthcare / Technical Staffing	4.0x–5.5x EBITDA	High-margin specialties with credentialed contractors or full-time staff
Owner-Dependent Generalist Firms	1.8x–2.5x SDE	Lower demand due to transition risk and inconsistent book of business

💡 Buyers favor firms with a strong ATS/CRM, documented SOPs, and at least 2–3 client-facing team members besides the owner.

What’s Hurting Deals in 2025?

We’re seeing good businesses lose value, or fail to close at all, due to the following:

The owner is still the top recruiter or account manager
All client relationships are verbal, not under contract
No back-office systems for time tracking, payroll, or invoicing
No documented candidate database or CRM structure

If you’re planning to sell within the next 12–24 months, cleaning these things up now can make a six-figure difference at the closing table.

What Buyers Want Right Now

The most active buyers in Q1 include:

Independent operators expanding into new regions
Former executives or recruiters seeking their first acquisition
Strategic acquirers looking for niche book-of-business deals
Investor-backed roll-up platforms with regional or vertical focus

They’re prioritizing:

Established client base (minimum 3–5 recurring accounts)
Recruiters or delivery staff willing to stay post-sale
Clear systems for candidate pipeline, submittals, and compliance
Gross margin visibility and contractor pay ratios

Texas Hotspots & Regional Activity

We’re seeing the most M&A activity in:

Dallas-Fort Worth – Light industrial and healthcare staffing groups are in demand
Austin – Direct-hire and tech staffing firms seeing premium interest
Houston – Oil & gas-adjacent staffing and trades-focused agencies gaining traction
San Antonio & Lubbock – Underserved mid-size markets with growing investor attention

Thinking of Selling in 2025?

You don’t need to sell this quarter, but if you’re thinking about retiring, stepping back, or planning for an exit in 2025–2026, now is the time to start preparing.

Early planning lets you:

Maximize valuation
Clean up books and billing systems
Document your pipeline and recruiter roles
Structure the right deal, on your timeline

Let’s Start With a No-Pressure Exit Strategy Call

Whether you’re curious about valuation, wondering if your firm is “sellable,” or want to quietly test the market, we’re here to guide you.

👉 Schedule Your Free Confidential Exit Consultation
Or email us at info@lionbusinessbrokers.com

Lion Business Brokers helps founder-led staffing and recruiting firms across Texas and the Southeast exit with confidence, structure, and a clear plan forward.

Stay tuned for our Q2 2025 Staffing & Recruiting Exit Report.