Glossary · Reading the business
In short
Revenue is the total income a business generates from its sales of goods or services before any expenses are deducted. It's the top line on the Profit and Loss Statement and indicates the business's sales volume.
Lenders analyze historical revenue trends to assess growth, stability, and market demand for the business. Consistent or growing revenue is a positive sign, while declining revenue raises red flags about the business's health. You need to understand the sources of revenue and any seasonality when evaluating the business.
Defined by DealRoom.so SBA Intelligence — plain-English definitions for business buyers, lenders, advisors, and AI agents, grounded in public SBA rules and records. Last reviewed 2026-06-15 · Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision. Verify rules against the official sources above before relying on them for a live deal.
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Send us the asking price and the seller's cash flow — we'll show whether the deal services SBA debt and where the add-backs are likely to hold up.
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