How do I introduce a new owner to the farmers who rely on my feed store?
Introduce the new owner in person during your busiest weeks, starting with the largest and longest-standing farm accounts. Make it clear that service, product lines and credit habits will continue, and stay visible for a while so customers can see you trust them.
Farmers decide quickly whether they trust a new face at the counter, so let them judge the person, not a letter. Before any announcement, agree with the new owner on a short message: what is staying the same, what may change and how to reach someone with a problem. Tell your largest accounts yourself, by phone or at the farm gate, before they hear it elsewhere.
Bring the new owner along on delivery runs and counter shifts during the busy weeks. Let them see the barns, learn the animals and hear about the problems that matter to each customer. Point out who needs special handling, such as customers with credit terms, urgent feed orders or standing delivery days. Keep a notebook of promises you have made so none are dropped.
Stay in the background once introductions are done. Customers will test the new owner, and your presence should reassure them, not undermine the person. Agree with the buyer how long you will be reachable and what role you play. If a farm family is facing financial trouble, ask a qualified adviser how that should be handled rather than improvising. Your lawyer and accountant can help you write down what you promise customers.
Key takeaways
- Tell the largest accounts yourself before anyone else does.
- Take the new owner on delivery runs and counter shifts.
- Step back once introductions are made, but stay reachable.
Related reading
12 pages on the same subject, grouped by topic.
Buying
- Expert answerHow do I find out if an online store relies on one best-selling product?
- Expert answerDoes a farmers market stall come with a vendor business you buy?
- Expert answerHow do I check how much a trade show exhibit company relies on the show calendar and a few clients?
- Expert answerHow do I find out if a snow business relies on subcontracted plow trucks?
Succession
Due diligence
Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to conduct due diligence when buying a business
- 02Business Development Bank of CanadaIndustryHow to sell your business
- 03Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentWhat is succession planning?
Deavo is an advertising and listings platform, not a brokerage, law firm or valuation firm. This page is general information, not legal, tax, accounting or valuation advice, and rules differ by province. Confirm anything you rely on with a qualified professional before you act on it.