SUNBELT of North Alabama personnel will present Madison Chamber of Commerce’s next professional development seminar, “Mapping out the Life of Your Business.”

Local executives with SUNBELT

Country Inn & Suites, 101 Westchester Drive in Madison will host the seminar on Sept. 11 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.

This session will “give business owners and future business owners a plan of action to realize they have both tangible and intangible assets that can be sold if they take the right steps along the way,” SUNBELT Managing Partner Melinda Tsang said.

“Ultimately, owners will find the solution to retirement, health issues, restructuring of ownership, relocation or many other issues,” Tsang said. “Many times, owners walked away and closed their doors, because they did not know a company offered solutions that could transfer their years of hard work and effort into cash.”

SUNBELT partners include Keith and Anita Jackson and Mike and Kathy Shepard. Senior Broker Jerry Bong is the event’s main speaker.

Bong’s presentation will focus on “creating the map, important milestones, course corrections and the end in sight.” Owners often overlook milestones, such as “developing an exit strategy — long before it is time to exit,” he said. Owners should plan for key employees and management “to be in place and giving forethought to leases and contracts for easy transfer.”

When selling, business owners should ask, “Are my financial records well documented and verifiable? Have I prepared my business for sale (like preparing a house to get the best value)?” Bong said. “When retiring, am I mentally prepared to retire? Do I have hobbies and activities to feel I’m still of value?”

SUNBELT of North Alabama is a locally owned and operated franchise. Its territory encompasses nine counties in North Alabama. “As managing partner, myself along with senior brokers are recipients of the prestigious designation, Certified Main Street Business Broker (CMSBB),” Tsang said.

Tsang is a member of the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA).

“SUNBELT is the world’s largest business brokerage. We handle all types of business sales, from manufacturing, retail, medical, technology … to service-oriented businesses and more,” she said.

For more information about SUNBELT, call 256-539-9999 or visit NorthAlabama.SUNBELTNetwork.com or Facebook/SUNBELT of North Alabama.

The seminar fee is $15 for chamber members and $25 for other participants. For reservations, call 256-325-8317.