But the real question isn’t whether you feel ready — it’s whether your business is ready.
There’s a big difference. And the gap between the two is what kills deals or drags down your value.
You might be emotionally ready to move on, slow down, or cash out. But buyers aren’t buying your feelings — they’re buying a machine that works without you and makes them money.
So before you list, broker, or even hint that you’re ready to sell, ask yourself:
(No check-ins, no fire drills — just business as usual.)
(Buyers don’t guess. They want proof.)
(People or processes — someone other than you.)
(Predictable beats big. Every time.)
(The more they need you, the less they’ll pay.)
If you can confidently answer yes to all five — you’re ahead of most owners.
If not, good news: You’ve got a clear roadmap of what to work on.
Let’s say your books are messy. Great — now you know.
Schedule a call with your bookkeeper this week and map out what clean-up looks like.
Each fix adds real dollars to your exit.
Want a simple tool to see how close you are to being exit-ready?
Download the free Exit Toolkit and uncover your biggest gaps — fast.
