What should I ask an investment banker before hiring them to sell my business?

Not every banker who says they can sell your business has actually sold businesses like yours. Ask for examples of deals in your revenue range and industry, and ask what happened to those deals, not just whether they went to market.

Fee structure matters more than owners expect going in. Understand exactly what triggers their fee, what happens if the deal falls through partway, and whether there are minimum fees that apply regardless of the final sale price.

Ask how they plan to position the business, and listen closely to the answer. A banker who understands what actually makes your business valuable, beyond the raw financials, is more likely to find the buyer who will pay for that value.