The Hybrid Business Sale Model

A flexible fee structure for owners who want DIY support, transaction assistance, or full-service representation.

The CanZell Hybrid Business Sale Model gives business owners multiple ways to sell based on how much assistance they want. The goal is to provide a lower-cost alternative to a traditional brokerage commission while still allowing a seller to move into full-service representation when needed.

1. Three Ways to Sell. You Choose.

The DIY and Seller-Designated Buyer options begin with a $10,000 upfront package that includes the complete CanZell training video library, document library, sample contracts, valuation, and marketing materials. Sellers who choose the full-service plan pay $0 upfront: CanZell is compensated through a 10% success commission at closing, allocated 5% to the seller side and 5% to the buyer side.

2. What the $10,000 Upfront Package Includes

For sellers choosing the DIY or Seller-Designated Buyer path, the upfront package is divided into two $5,000 components. It gives you everything CanZell uses internally to sell a business: the full training video library, every document and template, sample contracts, a professional valuation, and marketing materials ready to go to market. This $10,000 upfront fee does not apply to full-service sellers, who pay $0 upfront.

3. Option One: DIY Sale With 0% Commission

After paying the $10,000 upfront package, you handle the sale completely on your own. You receive all of CanZell's training videos, documents, and sample contracts, and CanZell uploads your listing to the top business-for-sale websites. From there, you field buyer inquiries, manage the buyer relationship, negotiate the deal, handle due diligence, and close the transaction without CanZell representation. No commission is charged.

4. Option Two: Seller-Designated Buyer (Named Exclusions)

This option is for sellers who already know who is likely to buy the business, such as a COO, key employee, business partner, family member, or other specific individual. At signing, you name these prospective buyers in writing; they become the Named Exclusions under the agreement. You still receive the full $10,000 package (training videos, documents, and sample contracts), and CanZell represents you in the transaction with any Named Exclusion for a 2% commission rather than the full 10%. If the business is ultimately sold to a buyer who is not a Named Exclusion, the full-service 10% structure applies. We will:

• Represent the seller in all dealings with the Named Exclusion buyer and keep the transaction moving
• Assist with buyer qualification and proof-of-funds procedures
• Coordinate confidentiality documents and information flow
• Assist the seller with offer and LOI discussions
• Help coordinate due diligence requests and communications
• Coordinate with attorneys, accountants, lenders, closing agents, and other transaction professionals as appropriate
• Help manage timelines and transaction follow-up through closing

5. Option Three: Full-Service Seller Representation

If you do not want to manage the process, you can elect full-service representation with $0 upfront. CanZell takes responsibility for managing the listing and sale process, subject to the listing agreement and applicable licensing requirements, and is paid only when the transaction closes: 5% to the seller side and 5% to the buyer side, for a total of 10%. Full service includes:

• Listing strategy and positioning
• Confidential marketing and buyer outreach
• Managing buyer inquiries
• NDA and confidentiality process
• Buyer screening and qualification
• Buyer communications and meetings
• Offer and LOI coordination
• Negotiation support
• Due diligence coordination
• Lender, attorney, CPA, and closing coordination
• Transaction management through closing

6. The Buyer-Side Fee

The 5% buyer-side commission compensates whoever is responsible for the buyer side of the transaction. When CanZell procures the buyer, CanZell earns both sides. When an outside broker, agent, or other authorized representative brings the buyer, the 5% buyer side is shared with or paid to that representative. The exact payment responsibility and commission-sharing arrangement should be documented in the applicable agreements before buyer participation.

A fully represented transaction therefore carries 10% total compensation: 5% to the seller side and 5% to the buyer side.

7. Example: What Each Path Costs on a $1,000,000 Sale

*In every full-service scenario the seller pays 10% total. When an outside representative brings the buyer, the 5% buyer side is shared with or paid to that representative. This example illustrates the overall fee concept only.

8. Which Fee Applies? The Rules Are Simple.

9. Everything Is Defined in Writing

The agreements behind this model spell out exactly how each fee works, so there are no surprises for either side:

• Clearly define Named Exclusions versus CanZell-generated buyers
• Require Named Exclusions to be listed by name in the agreement at signing so there is no dispute about the applicable fee
• Define when the 2% Named Exclusion fee is triggered, what services are included, and what happens if a Named Exclusion does not close
• Define what actions convert the engagement from DIY support into full-service representation
• For the DIY and 2% options, state whether the $10,000 upfront package is nonrefundable once work begins and identify exactly what is delivered; clearly state that the full 10% commission plan has $0 upfront
• Define the transaction value on which percentage fees are calculated, including treatment of inventory, assumed debt, seller notes, earnouts, real estate, and other consideration
• Include a protection or tail period for buyers introduced during the engagement
• Address co-brokerage and buyer-side compensation in writing
• Clarify that legal, tax, accounting, lending, and closing services are provided by appropriately qualified third parties and are not included unless expressly stated
• Ensure the program and all agreements comply with the licensing, brokerage, advertising, and fee-sharing laws in each state where it is offered

10. The Bottom Line: Choice

Sellers who want to do the work themselves get every tool CanZell uses, plus listings on the top websites, and pay no commission. Sellers who already know their buyer pay 2% for CanZell representation. Sellers who want CanZell to handle the entire sale pay $0 upfront and 5% + 5% only when the business closes.