Think You Can Prep to Sell in 12 Months? Think Again

If you think you can clean up the books, pump up profits, and prep your team in a few months… you’re already behind.

The Mistake: Waiting Until You’re Tired to Prepare

Here’s what happens all the time:

A founder gets burnt out or bored. They decide, “I’m ready to sell.”

They call a broker, put the business on the market… and get hit with lowball offers.

Why? Because the last 2–3 years of your business tell the real story. Buyers look at trends. And if you’re slowing down, so will their offers.

Exits aren’t events. They’re marathons, not sprints. You can’t “cram” for a great deal.

The “Exit Timeline” Exercise

Imagine you want to sell in 3 years. Now ask yourself:

1. What would my revenue and profit need to look like then to get the offer I want?
2. What would my role need to look like? (Hint: You’re not the center of everything.)
3. What kind of systems, team, or leadership would need to be in place?
4. If a buyer looked at my last 36 months — would they be impressed or concerned?

Thinking ahead gives you time to fix, build, and optimize. That’s how you exit at your number, on your terms.