5 Things to Know Before Selling Your Business
For many owners, “selling” sounds like an ending — handing over the keys and walking away. But that’s outdated.
Today’s smartest founders are doing something different: selling a majority, locking in real liquidity, and staying on as CEO to help scale the business — often creating more wealth in the second chapter than they did in the first.
If you’ve built a strong, cash-flowing company, you’ve earned options. Here's what you need to know before making your next big move.
1. Don’t Time the Market — Time Your Life
Markets rise and fall. Timing them is guesswork. What matters more? You.
Maybe you’re tired of carrying the whole load. Maybe you want to de-risk while still chasing growth. Maybe you're ready for a partner to help get you there faster.
That’s where a majority sale comes in. You gain liquidity, keep control, and get the capital and horsepower to build something even bigger.
This isn’t stepping away. It’s stepping up — with wind at your back.
2. You’re Still the CEO — Now with Firepower
Selling doesn’t mean stepping aside. With the right structure, you’re still in charge — but now you’ve got a financial partner behind you.
You’ve taken chips off the table, reduced your personal risk, and gained a boardroom-level partner to help you grow smarter and faster.
You’re no longer building alone. You’re building with leverage — capital, strategy, and real operational support.
The question isn’t, “Am I done?”
It’s, “Am I ready to lead at the next level?”
3. What Really Drives Valuation
Buyers don’t pay for dreams — they pay for fundamentals. Here’s what moves the needle:
Recurring, sustainable EBITDA
Clean books, clear margin profile
Team and systems beyond the founder
Low customer concentration
Visible path to growth
Value comes from transferability and scale. If your business can run — and grow — without you, it’s worth more.
A great partner helps unlock that scale, fast.
4. Diligence Is a Deep Dive — Not a Deal Killer
Diligence is real. Expect 60–90 days of questions, models, and deep document reviews.
But when you’re rolling equity, diligence isn’t just about the past — it’s the beginning of a joint growth plan. It’s collaborative, not combative.
Want a smoother process? Clean your books. Systematize your ops. Move what’s in your head onto paper. Clarity equals confidence — and valuation.
5. The 3 Most Common Regrets (and How to Avoid Them)
We’ve heard it all. Here’s what founders wish they’d done differently — and how to get it right:
Regret #1: “I sold 100% and missed the upside.”
→ Roll equity into NewCo. That second bite can be bigger than the first.
Regret #2: “I didn’t structure the deal right.”
→ Work with advisors who know how to optimize tax, legal, and SBA-backed deals. Structure matters more than price.
Regret #3: “I picked the wrong partner.”
→ Choose someone who acts like a true partner — not just a buyer. Culture and vision matter.
Final Thought:
Selling your business doesn’t have to mean letting go. With the right partner, it’s your launchpad — a way to protect your legacy, unlock liquidity, and scale faster than ever.
At Axiom Capital Group, we specialize in helping founders like you take that next step — without stepping away.
Ready to explore what’s possible? Let’s talk.
