Selling your business is a very difficult decision, filled with many ‘what if’s’ and other valid questions. You’ve likely invested decades of sweat equity that’s provided for you, your family and your employees. Maybe it’s time to consider what the next chapter looks like or what you want it to look like. Maybe you’d like to take some chips off the table and hang in there a few more years without so much of your personal equity at stake. Whatever you decide, having an unbiased conversation with someone who’s been in your shoes and knows what you’re going through to crystallize your thoughts would prove valuable to you.

Stepping into the next chapter for your life needs to be on your own terms. That eventual exit requires careful consideration. Whatever you decide, it will require careful planning and focused execution. When the sale or family transition does occur, there will still be more work to do ensuring the legacy you envisioned carries on. Maybe you’re wondering:

When and How Do I Want to Sell or Exit My Business?

Do I Stay Involved in the Business Post-sale or Step Away Completely?

Maybe you’re thinking: I’m not ready to go just yet. However, I’d like to find someone who’s willing to invest in my business for 5-7 years, maybe longer. Where do I find someone like that? My next generation does want to be involved; however, they aren’t ready and lack some capabilities. What do I do with that? These questions and more are ideally asked five or more years in advance of any transition. What that transition looks like can take on many different forms.

Carefully thinking through your goals and objectives and finding clarity around what you want to have happen is vital. We don’t have a dog in this fight yet and educating successful business owners, like yourself, is something we enjoy doing. When the light bulb goes off during a strategic conversation, we know we’ve hit on something good for someone else. We’re very selective who we decide to work with just as you should be. It’s about sharing the lessons we learned as business owners and the lessons we’ve learned as M&A advisors to help you make an informed decision that can save and earn you hundreds of thousands or even millions on your sale.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from countless mistakes in sixty-plus years is that it’s never IF it will happen but when it will happen. Being prepared cannot be emphasized enough. It’s not being negative, pessimistic or even realistic. It’s about being smart and anticipating what lies ahead of us all. Even with a clear, well thought out and documented plan, the unexpected exists when you haven’t planned for it. Take death, divorce and illness off the table. What if an unexpected offer comes your way? Don’t wait for an opportunity or tragedy to knock on your door to make these decisions.

One last consideration for you is to look at your industry and evaluate what the future will likely bring. Maybe you’d like to operate your business for the next 10 to 15 years. Wouldn’t it be wise to take a hard look at where your industry is heading. For most sectors we’re engaged in several themes continue to accelerate – a lack of qualified talent, the impact of advancing technology and the threat of a significant national or world event. How will you handle these and other disruptions? Maybe the disruptions make your business more valuable. Just don’t explore the sale of your life’s work in a vacuum!

Why Sell with JScott Partners?

You’re the expert when it comes to operating your business – do what you do best. Selling your life’s work is what we do best. We sat in your chair, we wrestled with what, how and when to sell and we’ve worked with nearly a hundred owners, like you, to get it right. One of the most important decisions you’re facing is upon you, and you have one shot to get it right! Whether it’s JSP or someone else, choose a team of experts who know what it takes and how to get it right!

Whether you decide to commit to a process or want to chew on it some more and sell later, we’re here to be that stake-in-the-ground for you when it’s time. We don’t require long-term commitments, unlike many of our peers. The best next step may be to simply have a complimentary and confidential, no obligation conversation as to what’s on your mind. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have.