Panama City Beach is a great place for business owners with many local residents and visitors. Learn about the business opportunities in the area here.

Businesses in Panama City Beach, FL

Panama City Beach is home to “The World’s Most Beautiful Beaches,” but it’s also home to over 12,000 residents year-round, and hosts over 100,000 visitors each year. CNN Money named the city the top real estate market in America in 2006, and it’s still growing.

Let’s explore the local business landscape of Panama City Beach, along with some resources to help you become a business owner in the area.

Panama City Beach Business Landscape

The Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce has a business directory that helps you see the business scene in this Bay County town. Currently, there are 964 businesses listed in their directory that run the gamut from residential businesses like flooring and plumbers, along with more tourist-centered businesses such as condo rentals and surf shops. The wedding industry is also quite popular here with many photographers and wedding-related companies having successful businesses in the area.

All local businesses must acquire a business license, even at home and online businesses. The Small Business Development Center can help businesses file for their license.

Own Your Own Business in Panama City Beach

Visiting the area is great, but living here is simply paradise. You can find your own version of the American dream by becoming a business owner in Panama City Beach. While you may be able to start a business from scratch, it’s much easier and less risky to buy an existing business. The advisors at Emerald Coast Business Brokers have prescreened businesses for sale to provide you with listings that are already successful in the area.

A business broker will work to match your skills and interests with businesses for sale, and they will work with you throughout the entire process of buying a business – from placing an offer, to the period of due diligence, to coordinating paperwork with lenders and lawyers, to planning for the transition. Don’t go it alone when trying to purchase a business in Panama City Beach, use the assistance of the trusted advisors at Emerald Coast Business Brokers. They know the area, the local market, and the acquisition process. Buying a business will be easy with their help.

Fill out this form to confidentially contact one of their experienced advisors to start you on the journey toward business ownership. The Panama City Beach community is primed for growth and ready for you to join in!

Learn all about the islands off the Emerald Coast of Florida- Santa Rosa Island and Okatoosa Island.

What islands are included in the Emerald Coast?

Stretching from Pensacola Beach to Panama City, the area on the Gulf Coast of Florida’s shoreline is known as the Emerald Coast. The emerald green waters give the area its name, and miles and miles of shoreline give tourists and locals endless beach fun. Along with peninsulas and plenty of shoreline, there are also two islands that are part of Florida’s Emerald Coast—Santa Rosa Island and Okaloosa Island. The two islands are actually one island divided into two sections.

Santa Rosa Island

Santa Rosa Island is a 40 mile barrier island that is home to Pensacola Beach, Navarre Beach, and Okaloosa Island. The area is rich in history, first being explored by Spanish Conquistadors, and then later being the site of a Civil War battle. The area today is known for white sand beaches and is a popular tourist destination. Some of our favorite attractions on Santa Rosa Island include the Blue Wahoos Ballpark and the Pensacola Naval Museum. At the Bayfront Stadium you can catch a baseball game in the salty ocean air and cheer on the Blue Wahoos, the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The Pensacola Naval Museum is home of the Blue Angels and the Pensacola Lighthouse.

Okaloosa Island

Okaloosa Island is about a three mile stretch of Santa Rosa Island. This island uses Fort Walton Beach for its mailing address as it’s an unincorporated community. This island is world renowned for its beaches, boating, fishing, and attractions. The world’s oldest continuously operating marine show is in Okaloosa Island at the Gulfarium. There are many spots with beach access, along with a fishing pier and places for water sports. This section of the island is a beach lover’s paradise.

Interested in Owning a Business on the Emerald Coast Islands?

We know that Santa Rosa Island and Okaloosa Island are beautiful to visit, so we completely understand when visitors decide to relocate to the area. Many people choose to move to the Emerald Coast and want to become business owners. We specialize in helping match people with ideal businesses for sale in the Emerald Coast area, including the islands of Santa Rosa and Okaloosa. If you’re interested in becoming a resident here, and want more information about buying a business, contact one of our experienced advisors.

Whether you want to move here, buy a business here, or just come for a visit, you will love the islands of the Emerald Coast!

When preparing to sell your business, you’ll have to value your business. Find out valuation methods here.

Methods for Valuing Your Business

When selling your business, you’ll have to put a number on it. It’s been said that a business is worth what someone will pay for it and what you would sell it for. However, this is incredibly subjective. You have put countless hours into your business, and taking yourself out of the equation to put a value on what you have built may be difficult.

While we recommend hiring an experienced business broker to do this successfully, it is certainly beneficial to know some of the common methods used to value businesses.

The Business Valuation Calculation

There are many business valuation calculators online that put factors into consideration including annual earnings, marketability, anticipated growth, but those calculators typically fail to take the local business market into account (or your industry). For example, if you are in an area where a certain industry was seen as a bigger risk, the valuation may be lower. The lower the perceived risk, the more a buyer is willing to pay.

Asset Valuations and Liquidation Value

This method of valuation takes into consideration all of the businesses inventory and assets. For this method, you would take the balance of all the assets and subtract the value of the liabilities.

A liquidation value would determine the value of the assets if it were forced to sell them quickly. This method isn’t particularly great for small businesses that may have limited assets (such as computers and office equipment) because it will value the business too low.

Earnings Value Approach

This is the most popular method of business valuation because it is considered a fair way to set a selling price. To determine your earnings value, you’ll determine the cash flow of your company, normalize them for unusual expenses or revenue, and multiply it by a capitalization factor. This factor is the reasonable rate of what a buyer would expect on the investment. As you can see, business valuation is complex.

Have an Expert Help with Your Valuation

In most cases, the best way to get a price that will actually result in your business selling is to use a professional valuation. As I mentioned previously, if you’re planning to sell your business, we highly recommend hiring a business broker. The advisors at Emerald Coast Business Brokers will work with you closely to place a value on your business and get it prepared for market. Though there are several perks to working with a broker, one big one is that they know the market in your area.

Because they are involved in countless business sales each year, they understand what buyers are looking for and what they are willing to pay.

If you’re ready to value your business, contact one of the experts on the Emerald Coast Team. Our goal is to revolutionize the business selling experience by taking the stress and confusion out—starting with the business valuation process. Fill out this form to set up a confidential consultation with one of our trusted advisors.

Find out what businesses are in the Fort Walton area, along with resources for local businesses. And if you want to own your own business in FWB, find out how here!

Business in the Fort Walton Area

Fort Walton Beach is touted as the Treasure of the Emerald coast. With around 20,000 residents and many annual visitors, the area is primed and ready for business growth. The local economy is powered by the military and tourism. The two Air Force bases bordering Fort Walton, Hurlburt Field, and Eglin AFB, are big employers for the area, creating jobs with support businesses. And while there is certainly a “peak” season for the tourism industry, visitors come to the Emerald Coast year round; it’s has a huge snowbird population (retirees who flock to the warm weather during the winter)! Let’s examine the top businesses in Fort Walton, along with valuable resources for business owners. And if you’re interested in business opportunities here, we can show you how to do that, too.

Top Employers in Fort Walton

In terms of size, the top employers in the area are the two Air Force bases, the Okaloosa County School District, the county, Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, Northwest Florida State college, and several technological companies. Other local companies may be more like small businesses, but they run the gamut. Local Fort Walton businesses fall into many categories: advertising, automotive, computers, finance, home and garden, personal care, agriculture and fishing, government, education, manufacturing, health care, communications, arts, real estate, shopping and more. Basically, any industry you can imagine is represented in the area.

Resources for Fort Walton Businesses

Two great resources for local businesses are the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce and the City of Fort Walton Beach.

The Chamber works to bring together business leaders in the area to strengthen businesses and enhance quality of life in the community. They provide services for businesses including hosting networking events, promotional activities, advocacy for business owners, exposure to the community, and hosting special events. The chamber also works to connect Fort Walton businesses with HR companies and HR consultants for support.

The City of Fort Walton Beach works towards economic development in the area, making it a better place to own and operate a business. The City works to get grants and incentives to qualifying businesses, along with working with businesses to comply with city ordinances.

Both of these resources are valuable for businesses owners in the Fort Walton area.

How to Become a Business Owner in Fort Walton Beach

If you are interested in owning a business in Fort Walton Beach, you don’t have to navigate those waters alone. Emerald Coast Business Brokers are experts in helping to buy and sell businesses in Fort Walton Beach. After you contact them, they will work to match you with prescreened, successful businesses for sale that will align with your interests and skills. Our advisors will find a business to meet your needs that will allow you to reach your goals as an entrepreneur.

Throughout the entire business buying process, we will be there to help. From obtaining financing, coordinating attorneys and lenders, working through the period of due diligence, and creating a plan for the transition of the business, we are there for the entire process. Contact us to find your ideal Fort Walton business for sale. You’ll love owning a business here!

Looking to purchase a Florida business? Find out who to contact and what steps are involved.

Buying a Florida Business

Each year, the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Economic Competitiveness does a regional and national study of economic growth. In 2013, they forecasted Florida economic growth for 2014-2017. In that forecast, they predict that retail sales will grow at a pace of 4.2% during 2014-2017, and that the labor force will grow 1.5% annually. Both of these predictions make Florida a prime spot to buy a business. Florida is primed for growth in the coming years. So how do you buy a business in Florida? Don’t go it alone. Contact the Emerald Coast Business Brokers. Here’s how it works.

How to Buy a Business in Florida with Emerald Coast Business Brokers

The experts on the Emerald Coast team are not only business advisors, but we’re local experts. When it comes to Florida businesses, we know the local market. It can be nearly impossible to purchase a business alone—the process is complex without the help of someone who’s been there before. Emerald Coast Business Brokers will be advisors and collaborators with you throughout the whole process.

Pre-screening Businesses for Sale. For starters, we begin working before you ever call. We pre-screen businesses to help make certain they are good investments for the buyer.

When you’re ready to purchase a business in Florida, you can browse our listings. We offer businesses for sale throughout Florida, specifically in popular destinations like Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Rosemary Beach and Pensacola.

Matching You with a Business. The Emerald Coast Team is unique compared to other brokers. Sure, you can look through pages of businesses for sale, but our expertise comes in matching your interests, skills, and goals with businesses for sale. If you’re looking for the perfect business venture, contact us today!

Research and Negotiations. The Emerald Coast team will help ensure you have all of the paperwork and information you need to evaluate the business for sale. And we’ll negotiate with the seller on your behalf .

Closing the Sale. Before closing, we’ll work with your lenders, attorneys, insurance companies and other interested parties to create paperwork and documents to close the business sale. We’ll make sure the deal meets all Florida legal requirements as well.

Training. After the sale, we’ll arrange for the seller to work with you for any training necessary. You’ll work together to create a post-acquisition plan to set you up for success in your new company.

Buy a Florida Business with the Help of the Experts

If this process seems easy, it’s because Emerald Coast Business Brokers makes buying a Florida business simple. We are experts in both large and small business purchases, and can walk alongside you through the process. Contact us to learn more about how to buy a Florida business and find the perfect business for you. Let’s set up a confidential consultation today!

Find out what types of businesses are for sale in Florida, along with information about how to buy them.

Find Businesses for Sale in Florida

Do you dream of being your own boss? Buying a business in the booming Florida economy can make that dream a reality. You know that buying an existing business is much less risky than starting from scratch, but finding the right one can be overwhelming. There are a few databases and companies that list Florida Businesses for sale, but you need more than a list. It’s imperative to have a liaison working for you who focuses on matching you with the perfect business for your requirements.

Emerald Coast Business Brokers are experts in buying and selling business in Northwest Florida–including hot spots like Pensacola Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Seaside, Perdido Key, Navarre, Panama City Beach and Destin.

Check out the businesses currently listed for sale in our database.

We’re constantly speaking to business owners and learning of new business for sale in Florida, so if a business currently listed in our database doesn’t pique your interests, complete the contact form and we’ll contact you the moment we have a potential business that meets your goals.

What types of businesses are for sale in Florida?

No matter what industry you’re interested in, you’ll find it on the Emerald Coast. The area is booming with various types of businesses including:

• nightclubs
• restaurants
• retail locations
• health and fitness businesses
• auto repair
• liquor stores
• hotels and motels
• dry cleaners
• gas stations
• convenience stores
• car washes
• salons
• pet care

And if you’re not sure exactly what type of business you’re looking for, we can work to help you pinpoint business that accomplish your goals by identifying your skills and interests. And, we’ll help you avoid bad risks by pre-screening every business you consider.

Let the Emerald Coast Team Help Find Florida Businesses for Sale

Whether you’re a first time business buyer or someone with more experience, our expertise will make the process of buying a business easy. We will assist you selecting a businesses, walk with you through the purchase process including securing financing, negotiations, and required paperwork.

Let us match you with the ideal business to help achieve your goals. The Emerald Coast team is made up of trained professionals who are focused on making the process smooth. Complete the contact form to speak with a knowledgeable expert.

Are you trying to buy or sell a business? Find out about business brokers, the experts who will help you throughout the entire process.

Trying to Buy or Sell a Business?

It’s a big decision to buy or sell a business. Not only is it an investment of your money, but also of your time and energy. Buying or selling a business is a complex process involving lots of paperwork, decisions, and assessments. You won’t want to go through this process alone. But not to worry! A professional business broker can help you through the process of transferring ownership—whether you’re a buyer or a seller.

Let’s look at what’s involved in buying or selling a business, and what a business broker will do during the process.

The Process of Buying or Selling a Business

The progression through the steps of buying or selling a business differ slightly depending on which side of the process you’re on. But here is roughly how it works:

• A business is valuated and put on the market for sale.
• The seller will gather paperwork (financial records, tax returns, financial statements, etc.) to show to potential buyers.
• The business is marketed to potential buyers.
• A buyer puts in an offer on the business.
• Negotiations occur until terms are agreed upon.
• A period of due diligence occurs when the buyer examines the business closely.
• Interested parties (such as attorneys, lenders, insurance companies, etc.) will need paperwork and will want a part in the final agreement.
• The buyer will make a plan for the transition of ownership where the seller will assist with training to ensure a smooth acquisition.

In order to make sure you are making a good investment, this process can take a matter of months to complete. That is where an experienced business broker comes in.

The Importance of a Business Broker When Buying or Selling A Business

Sure, if you’re willing and able to devote a lot of time and energy to buying or selling a business, you may be able to complete the transaction on your own. However, in most cases, the expertise of a business broker is invaluable for a number of reasons.

For starters, if you’re selling a business, a broker will help you with your valuation and will assist you with all paperwork. A business broker will then list your business in an online database and work diligently to find the perfect buyer.

If you’re interested in buying a business, a broker will offer you a database of prescreened businesses, ensuring that businesses for sale are good low risk investments. They will work to match your interests, budget, and skills to businesses for sale.

Throughout the entire process, the business broker will assist you. They’ll handle all negotiations, work with interested parties to make sure everyone is pleased with the outcome, and help you set up a succession plan.

Hire a business broker and relax knowing you have experienced advisors on your side.

Do you want to work with a broker?

If you’re ready to talk with a business broker about buying or selling a business, you can contact one of our experienced advisors to set up a confidential consultation. The team at Emerald Coast Business Brokers work to provide well-planned and well-executed business sales for both the buyer and seller. We will customize a business search for buyers, and work to find the ideal buyer. Together, we work towards making your business acquisition a success.

Destin businesses are very successful with customers that are both local and tourists. Learn about the businesses in the area, get resources, and find out how to own your own business in Destin.

Business Opportunities in Destin

Beautiful Destin may be known for its beaches, but it’s also a great place for businesses. Along with it’s over 12,000 year-round residents, over 80% of the Emerald Coast’s 4.5 million annual visitors visit Destin. Some reports show that the local population balloons to over 40,000 during peak season. Local events such as the Destin Fishing Rodeo and the Destin Seafood Festival bring in plenty of money into the area. Let’s explore the types of businesses that are successful in Destin, along with some resources for business owners. Lastly, let’s examine how you can buy your own business in Destin.

Successful Destin Businesses

As you could imagine, tourist related businesses do very well in Destin. Hotels, motels, condos, restaurants, spas, bed and breakfasts, and retailers are the first businesses that come to mind when you picture Destin businesses. However Destin residents need businesses like attorneys, car dealerships, computer services, and medical businesses on a day to day basis, so these types of industries do well too. The Harbor Boardwalk and Destin’s Main Street Market are popular business spots.

Resources for Destin Businesses

The Destin Chamber of Commerce is the ultimate resource for business owners in the area. It helps visitors find lodging, attractions, restaurants, shopping, and other local places to visit, along with helping the more residential businesses flourish. The chamber helps locals find employment opportunities, and it also helps educate residents to make the local economy stronger through economic development.

How to Own A Business in the Destin Area

Many Destin businesses are for sale for a variety of reasons. Business owners may retire, want to relocate, or want to start a new business venture, and you can benefit by purchasing an existing successful business. The advisors at Emerald Coast Business Brokers will help you find Destin businesses for sale that are prescreened and ready to purchase.

After you contact us, we will work to match you with the perfect business to meet your goals, your interests, and your skills. Let us confidentially work with you and businesses for sale in Destin to put you on the path to owning a business in this great area!

Looking for listings of businesses for sale in Florida? Check out the prescreened businesses listed with Emerald Coast Business Brokers.

Listings of Businesses for Sale in Florida

Florida’s local economy is primed for growth. With real estate prices that are below the national average, and record growth in the tourism industry (up 10% in 2013), the business sector is growing at pre-recession levels. If you want to join in and become a business owner in Florida, your first step is locating Florida business listings.

Instead of searching through huge databases of businesses, research listings from the experts at Emerald Coast Business Brokers. The Emerald Coast Team works directly with sellers to prescreen businesses and create an extensive database of both small and large Florida business listings.

Types of Business Listings

Florida provides a unique opportunity for business ownership because of the addition of tourism-centered businesses. In the Emerald Coast Business Brokers Florida business listings, you’ll find everything from car washes, salons, restaurants, hotels, tourist attractions and more.

And if you are looking for something specific that you are unable to find in our online database, just contact our team. We are always working with businesses, and we will notify you when we have a business matching your criteria.

How to Add a Business to Our List

If you are interested in selling your business, contact us to set up a consultation. We will help you prepare your business to sell, including gathering financial records and putting a valuation on your business. We work with you throughout the entire listing and sale process.

Once your business is listed, we will market your Florida business listing to potential buyers. We will prequalify interested parties through interviews and other screenings to help ensure you only deal with serious, qualified buyers. The Emerald Coast team works to match buyers with businesses that meet their skill set, interests, and budget.

Confidential Business Listings

We understand that confidentiality is vital throughout the business buying and selling process, so we provide a professional confidentiality agreement to protect both the buyer and the seller. The professionals at Emerald Coast Business Brokers maintain your confidentiality throughout the process so that your day-to-day operations are not impacted at all. Protect your business by working with Emerald Coast Team.

Contact Us to Navigate Florida Business Listings

If you are ready to add your business to the listing, or if you want to search the listing for businesses to buy, contact one of our experienced advisors. We will set up a consultation to start you on your way through this process. Let us help you from start to finish—from searching the Florida business listings to closing the deal.