Most Firms Sell Out So Owners Can Cash In

Consider this shocking finding: Most business owners sell their companies because . . . they want cash.

That’s what Irvine-based Geneva Cos., which advises firms on mergers and acquisitions, discovered when it recently surveyed 1,129 business owners.

The No. 2 motivation for selling out was the active mergers and acquisitions market, Geneva said.

The business owners also cited the desire to start another venture, burnout, age, family issues, boredom, partnership issues and health.

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Patrice Apodaca covers economic issues for The Times. She can be reached at (714) 966-5979 and at patrice.apodaca@latimes.com