Selling your plastic surgery practice is one of the most significant financial and personal decisions you will ever make. The Jacksonville market has its own unique dynamics, and understanding them is the first step toward a successful transition. This guide offers insights into the current landscape, the key factors that drive value, and how to navigate the process to protect your legacy and maximize your return.
Market Overview
The market for high-performing plastic surgery practices in Jacksonville is active. We are seeing a diverse range of buyers showing strong interest in the area. These are not just local hospitals or health systems looking to expand their service lines. We see sophisticated multi-state groups, private equity-backed platforms, and even smaller, ambitious practices looking to acquire a foothold in Northeast Florida.
What does this mean for you? It means there is competition for well-run practices. However, these buyers look at more than just your profit and loss statement. They are evaluating your brand reputation in the Jacksonville community, your patient acquisition model, and the defensibility of your market position. A strong clinical reputation is expected, but a strong business foundation is what commands a premium valuation.
4 Questions to Ask Before Selling Your Jacksonville Practice
Thinking about a sale can feel overwhelming. The best way to start is by looking inward at your own practice. Getting clear on these four areas will not only prepare you for a potential sale but can also help you increase your practices value, whether you plan to sell now or in three years.
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How dependent is the practice on me? A buyers biggest concern is risk. If all patient relationships, referrals, and specialized procedures are tied directly to you, they see a high risk of decline after you transition out. Practices with associate surgeons or strong non-surgical revenue streams driven by a team are seen as more scalable and, therefore, more valuable.
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Are my financials clear and defensible? You need more than a standard P&L from your a. We help owners prepare “normalized” financials that show the true earning power of the practice. This means adjusting for personal expenses, one-time costs, and any owner compensation that is above or below market rates. Clean books are the foundation of a smooth due diligence process.
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What is the plan for the real estate? If you own your building, this is a significant asset. You need to decide if you want to sell it with the practice or retain it and sign a long-term lease with the new owner. This decision has major financial and tax implications that should be modeled out well in advance.
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What are my personal goals? Are you looking to retire completely on a specific timeline? Or would you prefer to sell a majority stake, take some chips off the table, and continue practicing with the support of a larger partner? Your personal and financial objectives will determine the right type of buyer and the best deal structure for you.
Market Activity
Right now, the acquisition landscape is being heavily influenced by private equity. These groups are actively seeking to partner with successful plastic surgery practices to build regional and national platforms. This trend creates a competitive environment that can drive up valuations for attractive practices. Its a window of opportunity for owners in a market like Jacksonville.
This activity does not mean a sale is simple. Private equity buyers are highly sophisticated. They conduct deep diligence and have specific criteria for the practices they acquire. Other buyers, like large specialty groups or hospitals, have different motivations and processes. Understanding the different types of buyers, and what each one is looking for, is key to positioning your practice effectively and creating the competitive tension needed to achieve an optimal outcome.
The Anatomy of a Practice Sale
From our first conversation with an owner to the day the funds are wired, a typical sale process takes 4 to 6 months. It requires careful management to maintain confidentiality and momentum. Many owners are surprised to learn that the due diligence phase alone can demand over 200 hours of attention. A structured, advisor-led process prevents owner burnout and keeps the deal on track.
Here is a simplified look at the major phases:
| Sale Phase | What Happens | Why Expert Guidance Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Valuation & Prep | We analyze your financials, operations, and market position to determine a defensible value range. | We normalize your EBITDA to show your practice’s true profitability, often increasing value significantly before you even go to market. |
| 2. Marketing | We create a confidential information memorandum and approach a curated list of qualified buyers. | Our proprietary database and relationships ensure we reach the right buyers, creating competition while protecting your confidentiality. |
| 3. Negotiation | We field offers, help you compare different deal structures (cash, equity, earnouts), and negotiate a Letter of Intent (LOI). | We translate complex financial terms and secure favorable terms on everything from your post-sale role to non-competes. |
| 4. Due Diligence | The buyer conducts a deep dive into your corporate, financial, and legal records. | We manage the entire process, preparing you for every request and preventing small issues from derailing the transaction. |
| 5. Closing | Attorneys draft the final purchase agreements, and the transaction is legally completed. | We work with your legal counsel to ensure the deal you negotiated is the deal you close. |
Valuation
Determining what your practice is worth is a mix of science and art. While formulas are the starting point, a true valuation reflects the quality of your cash flow, your growth potential, and the story of your practice.
Beyond the P&L: Understanding Adjusted EBITDA
The core metric buyers use is Adjusted EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization). Its not the net income on your tax return. We start with your stated profit and then “normalize” it by adding back expenses a new owner would not incur. For example, if your practice pays for your personal vehicle lease and a salary for a family member who is not active in the business, those amounts are added back to your profit. This one step can often increase a practice’s baseline earnings by tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, directly impacting its final valuation.
It’s More Than Numbers, It’s a Story
Once we establish the Adjusted EBITDA, we determine a valuation multiple to apply to it. This multiple is influenced by factors like your provider structure, payer mix, and growth trajectory. But buyers don’t just buy numbers; they buy a compelling story. We work with you to frame the narrative around your practicehighlighting your strong reputation in the Jacksonville area, your scalable non-surgical services, or your untapped growth opportunities. This narrative is what turns an average valuation into a premium one.
Post-Sale Considerations
Successfully closing the deal is a major milestone, but the work is not finished. Planning for what comes next is just as important. Your future role is a key point of negotiation. Will you continue to work full-time for a set number of years, transition to part-time, or retire immediately? These terms must be clearly defined in your employment agreement.
Equally important is the structure of the sale itself. An asset sale has very different tax implications than an equity sale. The decisions you make here will directly affect your net proceeds after taxes. Structuring the sale to be as tax-efficient as possible requires a team that understands the nuances of both options. Your legacy, your staff, and your financial future depend on getting these final details right.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Jacksonville market unique for selling a plastic surgery practice?
The Jacksonville market is characterized by active buyers including local hospitals, health systems, multi-state groups, private equity-backed platforms, and smaller practices. Success in this market requires understanding the competitive landscape and what buyers value beyond profit, such as brand reputation, patient acquisition models, and market position defensibility.
What are the key factors buyers consider when valuing a plastic surgery practice in Jacksonville?
Buyers evaluate more than just financial statements; they look at brand reputation, patient acquisition strategies, risk dependence on the owner, the presence of associate surgeons, non-surgical revenue streams, and the overall business foundation. A strong clinical reputation combined with a scalable and defensible business model commands a premium valuation.
How should I prepare the financials of my practice before selling?
You should prepare “normalized” financials that reflect the true earning power of the practice. This means adjusting for personal expenses, one-time costs, and compensation disparities to present clean and defensible books. Proper financial preparation facilitates a smooth due diligence process and increases buyer confidence.
What should I consider regarding real estate when selling my practice?
If you own your practice’s building, decide whether to sell it with the practice or retain it and lease it to the new owner. This decision has significant financial and tax implications, so careful modeling and planning in advance are essential to making the best choice for your situation.
What does the typical sale process timeline and phases look like for a plastic surgery practice in Jacksonville?
The sale process typically takes 4 to 6 months and includes these phases:
- Valuation & Prep – analyzing financials and market position.
- Marketing – confidentially reaching qualified buyers.
- Negotiation – comparing offers and deal structures.
- Due Diligence – deep dive into corporate, financial, and legal records.
- Closing – drafting agreements and completing the transaction.
Expert guidance is critical throughout to protect confidentiality, manage workload, and secure favorable terms.