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Charlevoix County

Selling a Business in Charlevoix County

Charlevoix County has 891 employer businesses, and 91% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows the local mix of industries and how a sale is handled here.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Charlevoix County by the numbers

891

891

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

91%

91%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

2,786

2,786

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

9,264

9,264

EMPLOYMENT

$520 million

$520 million

ANNUAL PAYROLL

322

322

BUSINESSES WITH 5 TO 49 EMPLOYEES

U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023 and Nonemployer Statistics 2024. Counts are employer establishments, meaning business locations with paid employees.

How Charlevoix County compares

  • Charlevoix County ranks 38th of 83 Michigan counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 9.6% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Construction makes up 16% of employer businesses in Charlevoix County, compared with 9% in Michigan.

  • 322 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Charlevoix County ranks 38th of 83 Michigan counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 9.6% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Construction makes up 16% of employer businesses in Charlevoix County, compared with 9% in Michigan.

  • 322 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Construction: 139 employer businesses

  • Retail: 135 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 101 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 91 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 80 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Construction: 139 employer businesses

  • Retail: 135 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 101 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 91 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 80 employer businesses

Every kind of business we sell in Charlevoix County

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Charlevoix County. Counts are employer businesses in the closest Census industry codes. Industries without a clean Census match are listed without a count, and a few industries share one Census category, so their counts match. A sale multiple is the price a business typically sells for as a multiple of its earnings. SDE means seller's discretionary earnings, which is the owner's pay plus the profit of the business. EBITDA means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Construction & Engineering

138 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

  • General Contracting: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Civil Engineering: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

85 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

Financial & Professional Services

47 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

Retail Stores

43 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

Medical Practices

40 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

Automotive & Boat

34 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

  • Marinas: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Dealerships: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Boat Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Manufacturing

24 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

17 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

  • Gas Stations: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Entertainment & Recreation

15 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Education & Childcare

13 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

  • Daycare Centers: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Home Services

13 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

  • Residential Cleaning: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Pest Control: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

11 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

  • Hotels: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

8 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

Technology & Media

8 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

  • Creative Agencies: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 3.0x SDE.

Beauty & Personal Care

6 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

  • Hair Salons: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

Health & Fitness

4 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

  • Gyms & Health Clubs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.

  • Yoga Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.

  • Pilates Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.

  • Personal Training Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.

Logistics & Transportation

4 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

Senior Care & Living

3 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

Wholesale & Distribution

3 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Charlevoix County. Counts are employer businesses in the closest Census industry codes. Industries without a clean Census match are listed without a count, and a few industries share one Census category, so their counts match. A sale multiple is the price a business typically sells for as a multiple of its earnings. SDE means seller's discretionary earnings, which is the owner's pay plus the profit of the business. EBITDA means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Construction & Engineering

138 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

  • General Contracting: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Civil Engineering: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

85 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

Financial & Professional Services

47 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

Retail Stores

43 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

Medical Practices

40 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

Automotive & Boat

34 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

  • Marinas: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Dealerships: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Boat Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Manufacturing

24 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

17 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

  • Gas Stations: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Entertainment & Recreation

15 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Education & Childcare

13 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

  • Daycare Centers: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Home Services

13 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

  • Residential Cleaning: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Pest Control: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

11 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

  • Hotels: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

8 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

Technology & Media

8 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

  • Creative Agencies: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 3.0x SDE.

Beauty & Personal Care

6 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

  • Hair Salons: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

Health & Fitness

4 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

  • Gyms & Health Clubs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.

  • Yoga Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.

  • Pilates Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.

  • Personal Training Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.

Logistics & Transportation

4 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

Senior Care & Living

3 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

Wholesale & Distribution

3 related employer businesses in Charlevoix County.

Working with owners in Charlevoix County

Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Charlevoix County. Contact us to talk about a sale.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Charlevoix County ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Charlevoix County?

The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers. Many sales take six months or longer from the start of the process to closing.

How is a business valued in Charlevoix County?

Valuation starts with the earnings the business produces for an owner, then adjusts for assets, size, industry and the terms a buyer is likely to accept. The result is a range, and the asking price is set inside it.

Is the sale confidential?

Buyers are asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement before they see the name of the business or its financial statements.

FROM OUR BLOG

Guides for owners in Charlevoix County

October 3, 2025

Business Owners

Add-Backs: What Counts, What Does Not, and What Buyers Push Back On

Every add-back you can prove raises your sale price by two to three times its amount. Every add-back you cannot prove costs you credibility on all the others.

Read article

October 3, 2025

Business Owners

Add-Backs: What Counts, What Does Not, and What Buyers Push Back On

Every add-back you can prove raises your sale price by two to three times its amount. Every add-back you cannot prove costs you credibility on all the others.

Read article

March 5, 2026

Business Owners

Buyer Qualification: How We Screen Out the Buyers Who Cannot Close

Most inquiries on a business listing come from people who cannot close. Here is how they get screened out before they see your name or your financials.

Read article

March 5, 2026

Business Owners

Buyer Qualification: How We Screen Out the Buyers Who Cannot Close

Most inquiries on a business listing come from people who cannot close. Here is how they get screened out before they see your name or your financials.

Read article

February 9, 2026

Business Owners

The Confidential Information Memorandum: What Goes In It and Why

The CIM is the document a buyer reads before they decide to spend time on your business. Here is what it has to contain and the mistakes that cost sellers offers.

Read article

February 9, 2026

Business Owners

The Confidential Information Memorandum: What Goes In It and Why

The CIM is the document a buyer reads before they decide to spend time on your business. Here is what it has to contain and the mistakes that cost sellers offers.

Read article