Here’s the trap: You finally get a big offer… but when the buyer digs into the details, they walk away.

Not because your business is bad. But because it’s too dependent on you — and they can’t see how it works without you there.

This happens to smart, successful business owners all the time. It’s not about how hard you’ve worked. It’s about what you’ve built — and whether it’s buyable.

The Hidden Exit Trap: You Own a Job, Not a Business

You’ve got strong revenue. Good customers. A trusted name.

But if your business can’t run, grow, and make money without you involved in the day-to-day.

you haven’t built a business — you’ve built a job.

And buyers don’t want to buy your job. They want to buy a machine that runs with or without the owner.

This is one of the biggest deal-killers during due diligence — and most owners don’t see it coming until it’s too late.

The “Who Does What” Exercise

Grab a notepad. Draw 3 columns:

1. Daily Tasks – What has to happen every day?
2. Who Does It Now? – Be honest: is it you?
3. Who Could Do It Later? – Could a team member take this? Or do you need to hire someone?

Now look at how many things depend on you.

That’s what buyers will see as risk.

The fewer hats you wear, the higher your valuation climbs.

Small Win You Can Do Today

Pick one task you do every week that someone else on your team could take over.

Document the steps. Record a Loom video. Write a checklist.

Then hand it off. You just made your business more buyable — and your life easier.

Want to build a business that runs without you (and sells for more)?

Grab the free Exit Toolkit to start preparing today.