The decision to sell your business is heavy. The process of selling it shouldn’t be.
Many owners delay the conversation because they fear the “Due Diligence” monster—the forensic accounting, the legal scrutiny, and the potential exposure of weaknesses.
Simplicity is a Choice – When I work with sellers, I prefer a direct, transparent approach. We don’t need a heavy team of consultants to start a conversation. We look at three fundamentals:
1. Sustainable Earnings: Is the profit real and repeatable, or dependent on one-off wins
2. Owner Dependency: If you take a month off, does the business stop? (If yes, we work on a transition plan to fix that).
3. Market Position: Do customers buy from you because you are the cheapest, or because you are the most trusted?
The “Coffee Test” – Before we look at a single spreadsheet, I prefer to sit down (or have a virtual coffee) to understand your goals. Do you want a clean break? Do you want to stay on as a consultant? Do you want to retain a minority stake?
A fair deal isn’t just about the highest price. It’s about a structure that lets you sleep well at night, knowing your exit was handled with discretion and integrity, and your team is taken care of.
If you are thinking about “what’s next,” you don’t need a perfect data room to start. You just need to be ready for an honest conversation.
