As Christmas approaches, many business owners look at the calendar and think, “I’ll consider selling next year.” This is understandable: the year has been demanding, you may be tired, and the festive season is about to begin. At the same time, however, many prospective buyers are doing the opposite. They often use the holiday period to think carefully about their next step – and for a number of them, that step is exploring the purchase of a business.
At First Choice Business Brokers, we see a similar pattern each year. When December arrives, people often have a little more space to reflect on broader questions about work, lifestyle and retirement. Families tend to share more meals and have more in-depth conversations. With less day-to-day pressure, it can become easier to discuss significant decisions such as buying or selling a business. This “fresh start” mindset is often quite strong. While some businesses experience a slowdown, enquiry for good quality small to medium businesses in Victoria frequently remains steady through December and then increases again in January.
For owners who are considering a sale in the next 6–24 months, this may mean that waiting until “after everything settles” is not always the most effective approach. Beginning a conversation before you take down the Christmas tree does not mean you need to rush, nor that a sale will occur quickly. It simply means using December as a preparation month rather than a postponement month. A brief discussion with a business broker can provide a realistic value range, outline what buyers are currently looking for in your sector, and clarify which information you will need to have ready. Asking your accountant to tidy up your financials, and making sure your business presents well, can also help early conversations with buyers proceed more smoothly.
For buyers, the Christmas and new year period can also be a valuable planning window. Rather than feeling pressure to move quickly on the first opportunity that appears in February or March, the holiday break can be used to clarify budget, comfort with risk and preferred industries, and to speak with your bank, finance broker and accountant about what may be realistically affordable. A calm, structured approach often leads to more considered decisions than a last-minute response once everyone becomes busy again.