You’ve Built Something Real — Now What?
Owning a trades business in Tampa or Clearwater isn’t easy. You’ve survived slow seasons, managed crews, dealt with supply chain chaos, and built a customer base that trusts you. When it’s time to think about an exit, it’s natural to have questions — lots of them.
Here are the seven questions Michael Shea at Transworld Business Advisors hears most often from trades business owners across Tampa Bay.
1. Is Now a Good Time to Sell?
The Tampa Bay market remains one of the hottest in the country for trades and service businesses. Population growth, a booming construction market, and high buyer demand make this an excellent window to sell. Waiting for a ‘perfect’ moment often means leaving money on the table.
2. How Long Does It Take to Sell?
Most service and trades businesses in the Clearwater/Tampa market take 6 to 12 months to sell when properly prepared and priced. Businesses that are well-documented, financially clean, and owner-independent tend to sell faster and at higher prices.
3. Will My Employees Find Out?
Confidentiality is paramount. A skilled broker like Michael Shea uses Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) and blind profiles to ensure employees, customers, and competitors never learn of your sale unless and until you choose to tell them.
4. How Do I Find the Right Buyer?
This is where Transworld’s resources shine. With the largest buyer database in the industry and 15+ years of Michael Shea’s personal connections in the Tampa Bay trades market, qualified buyers are matched quickly — buyers who understand trades businesses and have the capital to close.
5. Will I Have to Finance the Sale?
Many deals in the service and trades space involve some seller financing, but a skilled broker works to maximize the cash portion. SBA loans are commonly used for trades business acquisitions — and Transworld has established relationships with lenders who specialize in these transactions.
6. What Taxes Will I Owe?
Tax treatment on a business sale depends on deal structure (asset sale vs. stock sale), how the purchase price is allocated, and your personal situation. Michael Shea works closely with CPAs and tax attorneys to help sellers minimize their tax liability — but always recommends consulting your own tax advisor.
7. What Happens to Me After the Sale?
Many buyers want sellers to stay on for a transition period — typically 90 days to a year. Some sellers negotiate consulting agreements. Others walk away on day one. Your goals shape the deal structure, and Michael Shea advocates fiercely for outcomes that match what you want post-closing.
Michael Shea represents the Tampa Florida Transworld office. In business since 2005, he has established a reputation as a trusted business broker across Florida’s key markets- from Tampa to Orlando, Melbourne, and more. Over the past two decades, Michael and his team have closed over $1 Billion in sold business volume and presided over more than 450 transactions. His credentials include the IBBA Certified Business Intermediary®, and most recently, the prestigious Certified Exit Planning Advisor® (CEPA) credential.