Deal Story: Trading Long Hours for More Family Time

For Kara Petron, selling Rocket Liquor wasn't about leaving the family business behind. It was about reclaiming time. After years of long days, late nights, and the demands of running a retail business, she was ready to spend more time with family and build a life that didn't revolve around 10- to 12-hour workdays.

When Kara decided to start the process of selling Rocket Liquor, she turned to a familiar name, Calhoun Companies broker Jim Underwood. He had sold several other companies in the area and was ready to get down to business.

With organized financials, inventory, and real estate included in the sale, Rocket Liquor was positioned at a fair market value based on its valuation. The goal wasn't to maximize price at all costs, but to find the right buyer and reach a reasonable agreement.

The eventual buyer already owned another liquor store and recognized the opportunity Rocket Liquor presented. While both parties were committed to completing the transaction, negotiating the terms proved challenging. The deal moved forward, paused, and resumed several times as both buyer and seller worked through their differences.

“It’s not unusual for the process to be start and stop,” explains Calhoun Companies broker Jim Underwood. “It can be frustrating for the seller, but as long as both parties remain committed to the process, we can usually make a deal happen.”

In the end, persistence paid off. The transaction closed successfully, allowing the business to continue under experienced ownership while giving Kara exactly what she had hoped for, a chance to step away from the demands of ownership and spend more time with the people who mattered most.