Nationwide, BizBuySell.com said, transactions were down 1.6 percent during the second quarter compared with the same period a year ago. Still, group general manager Mike Handelsman said he is expecting a strong second half of the year.
One reason for such optimism is that uncertainty regarding the future of the Bush-era capital-gains tax cuts may spur sales before the end of the year. If the tax cut is not extended, a higher tax rate on net capital gains could cut into the amount of money a business seller pockets in 2013, Handelsman said.
“Brokers and other advisers know this and will likely encourage owners to expedite the sales process in the next six months,” he said.
NEC to host SmallBiz180
The National Entrepreneur Center is hosting SmallBiz180, a free, 180-minute event that will feature a series of experts who offer practical advice for small-business owners.
Patrick Schwerdtfeger, author of “Marketing Shortcuts for the Self Employed,” is the keynote speaker. He will talk about small businesses’ use of social media.
Other speakers include brand expert Tom Marin, president of Market Cues; time-management consultant Tom Horvath; personality profiler Mimi Hull, president of Hull Associates; sales expert Eric Shulman, president of Sandler Sales; and National Entrepreneur Center Director Jerry Ross. A Florida Blue rep is also scheduled to discuss small businesses and the new federal health-care regulations enacted as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
The event is 8:30-11:30 a.m. Aug. 22. It will focus on tactics that those attending can put into practice immediately. The event will take place in the National Entrepreneur Center, which is located inside Orlando Fashion Square Mallat 3201 E. Colonial Drive, just east of downtown Orlando.
Reservations are required because seating is limited. To register, visit http://www.smallbiz180.eventbrite.com.
Local firm hailed by SBA
Aero-Tel Wire Harness Corp., an Orange County military contractor, drew the attention of national officials last week with a visit from the chief of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The business, located on Silver Star Road northwest of downtown Orlando, was chosen for a visit by SBA Administrator Karen Mills.
Aero-Tel, which was started in 1999 and now employs more than 30 people, provides electrical-wire harnesses to the government for retrofitting military vehicles. It has secured more than $10 million in HUBZone government contracts since 2005.