Workshop: Kicking the Tires: Understanding the Financials When Buying or Selling a Business
Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2026 10:09 am
Monday, June 29, 2026
5:30pm - 7pm
YourSpace meeting room on the TwispWorks Campus
To Register: https://events.com/r/en_US/event/determining-value-when-buying-or-selling-a-business-1058148
Join local business expert Lew Blakeney for a practical workshop breaking down the gold standard method for main street valuations: Seller’s Discretionary Earnings (SDE).
This session provides crucial insights for two distinct groups:
- For Future Buyers: Learn how to look “under the hood” of a business’s Profit & Loss (P&L) statements. You’ll learn how to calculate true SDE to estimate actual cash flow, evaluate if an asking price is realistic, and determine if the business can comfortably support you and your debt service.
- For Current Sellers: Understand exactly how buyers, brokers, and lenders will evaluate your financial history. Learn what qualifies as a legitimate financial “add-back” (like owner salary, perks, and depreciation) so you can cleanly organize your numbers and maximize your return.
What will be covered:
- Why SDE is the premier valuation metric for small businesses over standard corporate metrics.
- A step-by-step walkthrough of SDE calculations using real-world case studies.
- How to navigate financial “add-backs” that sellers use and buyers often dispute.
- The limitations of SDE and non-financial variables to consider (reputation, location, market share).
About the Speaker:
Lew Blakeney recently retired as a certified Business Advisor with the Washington Small Business Development Center (WSBDC). Now a Winthrop resident, Lew has spent decades advising countless small business owners across the state and right here in the Methow Valley. He brings an approachable, jargon-free teaching style to help you make confident financial decisions.
5:30pm - 7pm
YourSpace meeting room on the TwispWorks Campus
To Register: https://events.com/r/en_US/event/determining-value-when-buying-or-selling-a-business-1058148
Join local business expert Lew Blakeney for a practical workshop breaking down the gold standard method for main street valuations: Seller’s Discretionary Earnings (SDE).
This session provides crucial insights for two distinct groups:
- For Future Buyers: Learn how to look “under the hood” of a business’s Profit & Loss (P&L) statements. You’ll learn how to calculate true SDE to estimate actual cash flow, evaluate if an asking price is realistic, and determine if the business can comfortably support you and your debt service.
- For Current Sellers: Understand exactly how buyers, brokers, and lenders will evaluate your financial history. Learn what qualifies as a legitimate financial “add-back” (like owner salary, perks, and depreciation) so you can cleanly organize your numbers and maximize your return.
What will be covered:
- Why SDE is the premier valuation metric for small businesses over standard corporate metrics.
- A step-by-step walkthrough of SDE calculations using real-world case studies.
- How to navigate financial “add-backs” that sellers use and buyers often dispute.
- The limitations of SDE and non-financial variables to consider (reputation, location, market share).
About the Speaker:
Lew Blakeney recently retired as a certified Business Advisor with the Washington Small Business Development Center (WSBDC). Now a Winthrop resident, Lew has spent decades advising countless small business owners across the state and right here in the Methow Valley. He brings an approachable, jargon-free teaching style to help you make confident financial decisions.