Latest news with #exitplanning
Forbes
16-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
6 Steps To Perfectly Time Selling Your Small Business
What if you could sell your business for life-changing money... but only if you planned for it now? What if you sell your business for a life-changing amount of money... but only if you planned for it now? What if most owners don't miss their chance to sell their business because their business wasn't good, but because they simply ran out of time? How long does it take to sell a small business, really? Here's the truth: selling your business isn't an event. It's a process. And the process takes longer than most business owners realize. A rushed sale often leads to harder negotiations, a lower price, and regret after the deal. But a strategic exit, one that's prepared for, can be worth 2 to 3 times more. This article shows you exactly how to plan the timing of your business exit timeline, from the moment you think 'maybe it's time to sell' all the way to closing the deal, cashing the check, and walking into your next chapter with clarity and confidence. How Long Does It Take To Sell A Small Business? You've probably heard this statistic: it takes around 6 months to sell a business once it's listed. And that's technically true. But here's what most people forget: that 6-month clock only starts after your business is exit-ready. And getting exit-ready takes time. Translation? If you want to sell in the next 1 to 3 years, your exit clock has already started ticking. Step 1: Understand What 'Exit-Ready' Actually Means Most businesses aren't ready to sell, even if they're profitable. Business buyers don't just look at top-line revenue. They look at transferability, consistency, and risk. Before you even think about listing your business for sale, ask yourself: If you answered 'no' or 'I'm not sure' to any of the above, that's your cue. You're in the prep zone, and the sooner you start, the more leverage you'll have. Step 2: Choose What Matters More: Speed or Value Here's where things get personal. Are you in a rush to sell? Or are you willing to wait for the best possible deal? Think of it like real estate. You can sell a fixer-upper house quickly. But if you renovate, stage, and list at the right time? You'll get a much higher offer. Same goes for your business. Step 3: Work the Exit Backwards Once you're clear on your goals, it's time to reverse-engineer your timeline. Use this 3-part framework: This is your foundation. Without it, everything else gets harder, especially due diligence. This is where you shape the story buyers want to hear: consistent income, growth potential, and low founder risk. This is your pre-launch window. Everything should be polished, ready, and proactive. Step 4: Enter the Sales Phase Like a Pro Now your business is listed. The next ~6 months will be full of meetings, documents, negotiations, and emotional swings. Here's what that looks like in practice: The best way to prevent issues? Be 10 steps ahead and document everything. Treat the whole process like a project. Show buyers you're serious, professional, and trustworthy. Step 5: Prepare Yourself, Not Just the Business No one talks about this enough, but selling your business is emotional. For many owners, this isn't just a financial transaction. It's the end of an era. You're not just letting go of an income stream. You're letting go of an identity. A team. Clients. A daily rhythm. And often, a purpose. So ask yourself: The most successful exits aren't just big-dollar exits. They're emotionally clean too. When you know who you are beyond your business, you're less likely to sabotage the deal or second-guess the terms. Step 6: Don't Wait Until You're Ready, Start Before That Here's the biggest mistake most entrepreneurs make: They wait too long to get the exit process going. They wait until they're tired, burned out, or facing a health scare. They wait until revenue declines. Or team morale drops. Or their industry shifts. By the time they list, the business is no longer in its prime and buyers can tell. You don't have to be ready to exit today. But you do have to start preparing for that future, especially if you want options, leverage, and a higher sale price. And that's the real win: freedom of choice. Final Thoughts: Own the Timeline or Be Owned by It Here's what most people don't understand about exits: If you don't control your timeline, someone or something else will. That could be burnout. A surprise offer. A family emergency. Or an economic shift. But if you start now -even if selling is years away- you'll be ready on your terms. You'll sell from a place of clarity, not desperation. And that makes all the difference in your valuation, your peace of mind, and your next chapter. Next Steps If you're even thinking about selling in the next 1 to 3 years, here's what to do now: Because knowing how long does it take to sell a small business and planning your business exit isn't just smart. It's the most profitable move you'll ever make.
Associated Press
19-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Exit Factor Expands Territory With New Location in Walnut Creek, California
Helping Bay Area Business Owners Increase Value and Plan for a Profitable Exit WALNUT CREEK, CALIFORNIA / ACCESS Newswire / May 19, 2025 / Exit Factor™, a business consulting company that specializes in exit planning for small to mid-sized companies, announced today the opening of its newest location in Walnut Creek, California. Scott Langbein, owner and lead exit strategist, supports small and mid-sized business owners across San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Moraga, Orinda, Lafayette, and Walnut Creek, California. With 25 years of experience in corporate technology, Langbein helps clients maximize their business value and prepare for a successful Factor Logo The Exit Factor program is a proven process with tailored exit plans that safeguard the long-term value of a business now and in the future, no matter the size. Designed to help owners take control of their business by maximizing profit, efficiency, and value from day one, even if a sale isn't uppermost on the owner's mind. 'Wealth and value are not limited resources,' said Scott Langbein, owner. 'Small business owners are the backbone of our economy. I help them plan for and grow toward their unique business goals-whether that means selling, scaling into a larger business, or passing it down to family. Having a plan is key, and I'm here to help them create it. The Exit Factor company was founded by best-selling author, speaker, and small-business advocate Jessica Fialkovich. Her passion for helping business owners maximize their company's value, grew from her experience as a business broker and owner of a Transworld Business Advisors® franchise. For businesses that were not quite ready to sell, or had potential to increase their value prior to listing, Fialkovich developed a program, teaching strategies on ways to build value, profitability, and salability. 'We're very proud of the success Exit Factor has had in helping businesses plan for profitability to ensure business owners maximize their company's value when it's time to sell,' Jessica Fialkovich said. 'We look forward to bringing Exit Factor of Walnut Creek, California on board to help even more business owners.' Participants in Exit Factor's program earn back an average of $2,700 in exit value for every hour they spend in the program. Within the first year, clients have seen a 25% increase in profit and a 56.7% increase in business value. For those who have decided to sell, the program has helped them achieve successful exits. About Exit Factor Exit Factor™ offers a proven method that helps small to mid-size business owners maximize their company's value. It's among the United Franchise Group™ (UFG) family of affiliated brands and consultants, representing the very best in their industries. Through one-on-one consulting services and online programs, the trusted advisors at Exit Factor teach entrepreneurs how to successfully improve their company's efficiency, value and ultimately ability to exit. For more information, visit and for more information on owning an Exit Factor franchise, visit Contact Information Scott Langbein Owner 925-594-6576 SOURCE: Exit Factor press release
Forbes
07-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Exit Planning: 7 Smart Steps to Sell Your Business
Your biggest opportunity to sell your business could show up long before you're ready. getty Imagine this. You wake up to an unexpected email in your inbox. Someone wants to buy your business. No pitch deck. No broker. Just a direct message: "I'm interested in acquiring your company. Are you open to talking?" Most business owners freeze in that moment. And worse, most are wildly unprepared to respond as they have never thought about exit planning. Here's the hard truth: your biggest opportunity to sell your business could show up long before you're ready to sell. That's why exit-preparation isn't just a strategy to leave for the end. It's a smart business move to make now, even if you're not selling for years. Whether you're planning to sell at some point or just want the option to sell one day in the far future, this article walks you through 7 smart steps every business owner should take to prepare for an exit: Step 1: Get Clear on What You Want from the Sale Step 2: Find Out What Your Business Is Actually Worth Step 3: Assess If Your Business Is Truly Sellable Step 4: Know How to Handle an Unexpected Buyer Inquiry Step 5: Decide If You Need an Exit Advisor, Broker, or Team Step 6: Learn the Basics of Negotiation Step 7: Keep Learning at Your Own Pace No jargon. No hype. Just clear, strategic actions you can take to be ready—before the offer lands. Before you entertain a single buyer conversation, get brutally honest with yourself: Why would you sell? Is it about freedom? Financial independence? A new adventure? Maybe you want to step back, retire early, or just start something new. Your "why" matters more than you think. Buyers will ask. And if you can't answer with confidence, it weakens your position. They'll sense uncertainty and that can cost you leverage in a negotiation. Forbes 'Do I Even Like This?' How Shifting Priorities Led To Her Agency Sale. By Lien De Pau The clearer you are on what you want—financially and personally—the stronger you'll be when it's time to talk numbers and terms. Step 2: Find Out What Your Business Is Actually Worth Most owners fall into one of two traps: overestimating their business value (and scaring buyers away), or underestimating (and leaving money on the table). Neither is good. Both are preventable. Understanding your valuation is about understanding how the market sees your business. What's your revenue or EBITDA multiple? What kind of buyer would be interested? How do your systems, margins, or recurring revenue impact the sale price? Forbes 6 Most Common Questions About Your Business Valuation By Lien De Pau There are tools and experts that can help, but even a quick independent valuation can give you a realistic range to work with. Knowing your ballpark number helps you prepare emotionally and financially. It also helps you spot a good offer when it comes. Step 3: Assess If Your Business Is Truly Sellable Here's a tough pill to swallow: not all businesses can be sold. In fact, only 1 out of 10 do. And some businesses that look successful on the outside are too dependent on the owner to attract serious buyers. Sellability is different from profitability. A sellable business is one that runs without you. It has clean financials, documented systems, transferable client relationships, and a team or infrastructure that can operate without daily involvement from the owner. Ask yourself: 'If I disappeared for a month, would the business keep growing?' If not, you've got work to do. Identify and close those gaps now. So when a buyer shows up, you're not scrambling to make your business look transferable. Step 4: Know How to Handle an Unexpected Buyer Inquiry This is where most unprepared owners make costly mistakes. A buyer emails out of the blue. You get excited. You feel flattered. And before you know it, you've sent over your financials, pricing model, and client list. Stop. Every piece of information you share should be intentional. You don't need to send your books or hop on a call right away. First, vet the buyer. Who are they? What's their background? Have they bought businesses before? Are they serious or just browsing? Second, control the flow of information. Think of the exit process like a slow reveal. You don't give away all your business secrets in the first conversation. Professional buyers are trained to ask the right questions and find your weak spots. Don't make their job easier by oversharing. Step 5: Decide If You Need an Exit Advisor, Broker, or Team Not every small business needs a broker to sell. But that doesn't mean you should go at it alone. A big exit often requires input from a few key people: a legal advisor to review contracts, a financial expert to model deal structures, and someone to act as a sounding board. That could be a mentor, an advisor, or someone who's sold before. Forbes 10 Questions To Ask A Business Broker Before Hiring Them By Lien De Pau The key is knowing when to bring in help and who to trust. It is important you know how to stay in control of the selling process. That means knowing the role of each expert and choosing support based on your goals. Step 6: Learn the Basics of Negotiation Most business owners don't realize this: the negotiation doesn't start when you sign a Letter Of Intent (LOI). It starts with the very first message you send to a buyer. Your tone. Your answers. Your timing. All of it shapes how the deal unfolds. Learning how to negotiate isn't about being slick or manipulative, but about understanding the flow of the deal, knowing how to respond to common buyer tactics, and staying calm when the stakes get high. Great negotiation is often about what you don't say. You're not hiding information, but managing how and when it's shared. Even a few simple negotiation principles can help you protect your value and avoid being steamrolled in conversations with savvy buyers. Step 7: Keep Learning at Your Own Pace The truth is, exit planning doesn't need to be overwhelming. It doesn't have to take over your life. And you don't need to sell tomorrow to start thinking smart today. Forbes 3 Newsletters On Selling Your Business By Lien De Pau That's why it is important you start educating yourself on the exiting process. Whether you're answering your first buyer email or just planning ahead, the best time to prepare is now. Because you only sell your business once. And when that moment comes, you want to be the one holding the cards. Final Thoughts About Preparing For An Exit If you're serious about making your business more valuable and sellable over time, start exit planning today. Your future buyer will thank you. And so will your future self.
