Contacting a company after the owner passed away?

by a searcher from University of Arkansas at Fayetteville

3 years ago

I am looking to reach out to a company after finding out that the owner has passed away, but I am unsure on timing and approach. I find that it could be insensitive to follow up immediately after and I also don't know the best way to say "I heard your father died lets talk about selling your business".

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7 comments

intermediary

I agree with these comments. In my industry I quite frequently come across owners that have recently passed away when calling to follow up on my "snail mail" letter. I will tell the receptionist, I am very sorry to hear that, are you still family owned? They will tell me. I think the positive note is that by reaching out you may be helping an owner/spouse/child who possibly does not want to run the business. If a small business is run by a couple then a lot of times one of them is the stronger driving force than the other.

2 years ago | like reply | 0 likes

searcher from University of Arkansas at Fayetteville

Thank you all for your great advice. I really like the idea of snail mail with a nicely hand written letter. I do not believe they are going through probate, but how would I know if they were? Also if the company has no website and very little info online how would I go about figuring out who controls the company now if I have never spoke with them and not close enough to know anyone who has.

3 years ago | like reply | 0 likes

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