What’s Your Business Exit Archetype? (Hint: Start Planning Now, Even If You’re “Too Busy”)
(Let’s start with a quick story…)
Imagine you’re building a sandcastle. You’re focused—shovel in hand, bucket nearby, moat half-dug. But you’re so busy patting down towers, you forget to check the tide. Suddenly… splash. Your castle’s gone.
Running a business is like that. You’re hustling day-to-day, putting out fires, and grinding for growth. But if you don’t lift your head up to see the bigger picture? You’ll miss your chance to sell your business for max $$$.
Here’s the deal: Your exit strategy isn’t something you slap together last-minute. It’s baked into how you build your business. And guess what? Most founders end up in one of three “exit archetypes.” Let’s break ‘em down—which one are you?
Archetype 1: The Small Giant
(AKA: “Keep It Simple, Keep It Mine”)
Money Motto:
“Cash is king. I want profits NOW to buy cool stuff later.”
The Vibe:
Small Giants are like cozy bed-and-breakfasts. They’re not trying to be the Ritz-Carlton. They’re happy being the best at one thing, with low overhead and chill vibes.
How to Spot a Small Giant:
Model: Uses other people’s tools (like Amazon’s shipping or Shopify’s platform) to keep costs low.
Market: Focused on profits, not growth-for-growth’s-sake.
Management: You’re the boss. No fancy executives. Maybe your cousin does the books.
Exit Strategy:
Sell your business to someone who loves your niche. Think: A competitor who wants your loyal clients or a local investor who admires your hustle.
Who It’s For:
Founders who want to:
Keep things simple
Pocket profits ASAP
Stay hands-on (no corporate overlords!)
Red Flag Alert:
If you’re too chill, buyers might see you as a “lifestyle business” (translation: not worth big $$$).
Archetype 2: The Big Giant
(AKA: “Go Big or Go Home… But First, Partner Up”)
Money Motto:
“Let’s de-risk this thing and make it sexy for investors.”
The Vibe:
Big Giants are like skyscrapers. They’re built to scale. They’ve got proprietary tech, a killer leadership team, and a plan to swallow smaller competitors.
How to Spot a Big Giant:
Model: Becomes a “platform” (think: Uber for dog walkers, Airbnb for treehouses).
Market: Teams up with investors to grow through acquisitions.
Management: Hires experienced execs (so you’re not stuck doing payroll at 2 a.m.).
Exit Strategy:
Sell to private equity firms or bigger companies looking to dominate your industry. Cha-ching!
Who It’s For:
Founders who:
Want to build something massive
Don’t mind sharing control (hello, board meetings!)
Love the thrill of growth
Red Flag Alert:
If you scale too fast, you might burn out—or worse, run out of cash.
Archetype 3: The Giant Exit
(AKA: “I’m Outta Here—Make Me an Offer!”)
Money Motto:
“I want my business to run itself so I can sell it and retire to Bali.”
The Vibe:
Giant Exits are like robots. They’re automated, efficient, and don’t need you. Buyers love them because they’re “plug-and-play.”
How to Spot a Giant Exit:
Model: Your sales team runs without you. Clients stay even if you vanish.
Market: Openly chats with buyers years before selling.
Management: You’re just a cog in the machine (but a valuable cog).
Exit Strategy:
Sell to a mega-company that wants your clients, tech, or talent. Think: Facebook buying Instagram.
Who It’s For:
Founders who:
Want maximum $$$
Are cool with stepping back
Love systems and processes
Red Flag Alert:
If you’re too hands-off, buyers might wonder if you’re hiding problems.
How to Pick Your Archetype (and Not Screw It Up)
Still confused? Ask yourself:
“Do I want to stay involved after selling?”
Yes → Small Giant
Maybe → Big Giant
NOPE → Giant Exit
Low risk → Small Giant
Medium risk → Big Giant
High risk → Giant Exit
“What’s my ‘retirement’ dream?”
Beach house → Giant Exit
New biz ventures → Big Giant
Keep working → Small Giant
Why Your Archetype Matters for a Business Sale
Buyers aren’t mind-readers. They need to know:
What you’re selling (a lifestyle biz? A growth machine?)
Why it’s valuable (your clients? Your tech? Your team?)
How it fits THEIR goals
Example:
If you’re a Small Giant, but you pitch yourself as a Giant Exit, buyers will sniff out the mismatch. They’ll lowball you—or worse, walk away.
Pro Tip: Start today. Even small tweaks (like documenting processes or chatting with buyers) can add zeros to your sale price.
3 Quick Fixes to Prep for Your Business Sale
Play “CEO Detective”
Pretend you’re a buyer. What looks sketchy? Fix it now (bad contracts, lazy employees, messy books).
Build a “Selling Binder”
Collect your best stats, client reviews, and growth plans. Update it yearly.
Date Your Future Buyer
Go to industry events. Slide into DMs. Say stuff like, “Love what you’re doing—let’s collab!”
The Bottom Line
Building a business without an exit plan is like driving cross-country without GPS. You might get there… but you’ll waste time, gas, and sanity.
Your homework:
Pick your archetype.
Share it with your team.
Start building now—even if you’re not selling for 10 years.
Because when the tide comes in, you want to be ready to ride the wave—not get swept away.
FAQ (Because You’re Probably Wondering…)
Q: Can I switch archetypes later?
A: Sure! But it’s like remodeling a house—it’ll take time and money.
Q: What if I’m a mix of two?
A: Most businesses are! Focus on your dominant traits.
Q: How do I find buyers early?
A: Network at conferences, LinkedIn stalk (politely), or hire a broker to make intros.
Hi, I’m Heather.
I help people buy, scale, and sell businesses. Think of me as your “anti-corporate” guide to ownership.
If you like blunt truths, dry humor, and leaders who’d rather light a fire than follow a script… let’s talk.
Started my first company at 23.
Now have 5.
Learned 1,000,037 hard-earned lessons so you can skip the trial-and-error phase.
Current obsessions:
✅ Turning “boring” industries into wealth-building machines
✅ Helping ambitious people escape soul-crushing corporate cultures
✅ Proving you don’t need an Ivy League MBA to win at business
Let’s connect if:
-You want to own your future, not rent it
-You’ve ever been told you’re “too much” for corporate America
-If you are ready to work on your business not in your business.