Oh, founder! Oh, founder! So busy, so spry!
You’re building your biz, reaching up to the sky.
But here’s a quick tip, a secret to tell:
Start thinking of selling (yes, NOW!) and you’ll sell.
Not today, not tomorrow, but someday, you’ll see—
Your story and vision? That’s the gold… cha-ching! Cha-ching-ching!
Wait… Why Talk About a Business Sale If You’re Not Selling?
You don’t plant a garden the day you want tomatoes. You don’t start training for a marathon during the race. And you definitely don’t wait until your roof caves in to learn how to fix shingles.
Selling your business works the same way. The best exits don’t happen by accident. They’re built—like LEGO castles or sourdough starters—over time. And here’s the kicker: even if you’re not ready to sell your business today, thinking like a future seller now can:
But here’s the twist: Premium buyers aren’t just buying your spreadsheets. They’re buying your story, your struggles, and your secret sauce. Think of it like eBay vs. Sotheby’s. One’s for used socks; the other’s for Picasso paintings.
“But I’m Just a Small Business! Buyers Only Care About My Profits!”
Nope. Nuh-uh. Wrong-o.
Let’s imagine two businesses:
Biz A: Makes $1M/year. Clients? Solid. Profits? Steady. Story? Crickets.
Biz B: Makes $1M/year. Clients? Also solid. Profits? Also steady. But… the founder delivered pizzas at 2 a.m. to pay bills, launched a product during a hurricane, and once turned down a Shark Tank deal to keep their values intact.
Which one gets the premium price?
If you guessed Biz B, you’re right—and it’s not just because hurricanes make for cool stories. Buyers pay extra for vision, grit, and a roadmap to growth. Your story isn’t fluff; it’s proof your business can survive (and thrive) without you.
Your Business Sale Starts With a Bedtime Story
No, seriously. Start crafting your “Once Upon a Time” right now.
Did you max out credit cards to launch?
Did you fire a toxic client (and lose sleep over it)?
Did you pivot during COVID and accidentally invent something genius?
These aren’t just war stories. They’re value multipliers.
Here’s how to turn your chaos into cash:
Step 1: Dig Up Your “Origin Story”
Grab a notebook. Ask yourself:
“Why did I start this biz?” (Hint: “To make money” is boring. Dig deeper.)
“What almost killed us—and how did we survive?”
“What’s the weirdest thing that ever happened?”
Pro Tip: If your story feels “meh,” you’re not done digging.
Step 2: Practice Telling It (Like You’re at a Campfire)
Start small. Tell your story to:
Your barista (if they’re not busy)
Your cousin at Thanksgiving
Your dog (they’re great listeners)
Watch their face. If their eyes glaze over, simplify. If they lean in and say, “Wait, WHAT?!”—you’ve struck gold.
Step 3: Let Your Team Tell It Too
Your employees should know the story cold. Why? Because buyers will grill them like hamburgers. If your team says, “Uh… we just sell stuff?”, that’s a red flag. If they say, “Our founder once turned a napkin sketch into a $500K deal!”—cha-ching.
Why Waiting Until “Someday” Is a Terrible Idea
Picture this: You decide to sell your business. You call a broker. They say, “Great! Send me your financials… and your story.”
You panic.
“Story?! I’ve been too busy running this place to write a story!”
So you slap together a PowerPoint two hours before meeting buyers. You mumble about “synergies” and “growth potential.” The buyers yawn. They lowball you. You end up selling for 3x profits instead of 8x.
Moral of the story: Stories take time to marinate. Start now.
The Secret Sauce: Your Vision (Not Just Your Spreadsheet)
Buyers aren’t stupid. They know anyone can copy a business model. But they can’t copy your vision.
What’s your “unfair advantage”?
Why will your clients stick around after you sell?
Your job: Turn your vision into a roadmap. Write it down. Share it everywhere—website, team meetings, industry podcasts. By the time you’re ready to sell, buyers should already know your biz as “the one that’s gonna change the game.”
How to “Sell” Before You Sell: 3 Quick Wins
Start a “Brag Book”
Collect client testimonials, media mentions, and milestone photos. Update it quarterly.
Fix What’s Broken (Now!)
Toxic client? Dump them. Shaky processes? Automate. Buyers will find the skeletons—bury them early.
Date Your Buyers
Go to industry events. Build relationships years before selling. (“Hey, just admiring your biz!” works wonders.)
The Bottom Line: Think Like a Buyer to Sell Like a Boss
You don’t have to quit your day job. You don’t have to hire a broker tomorrow. But if you want a premium business sale, start today:
Write your story (the messy, real version)
Sharpen your vision (think bigger than your inbox)
Pretend you’re already selling (because someday, you will)
And remember: Time is your friend. The longer you cook your story, the tastier it gets.
Final Limerick (For the Road):
Oh, founder so wise, with your biz in your hand,
Start today—build a tale that’s unplanned!
For the buyers will come, with their checks and their cheers,
When your story’s worth more than just dollars and years.
Cha-ching! Cha-ching!
P.S. If you’re still not convinced, ask yourself: “What’s the cost of waiting?” Your future self (and your bank account) will thank you.
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.
Apply for the operator accelerator