Timing
Know when readiness matters
Understand what to prepare before an LOI, a buyer call, or a rushed diligence request changes the leverage.
Owner resource
Guide to selling your business
A practical guide to timing, readiness, valuation, buyer materials, LOI, diligence, and closing for owners who want the process to stay controlled.
An interactive sale preparation checklist across six readiness areas, built for owners considering a sale in the next 6 to 24 months or responding to serious buyer interest.
What it clarifies
Sell on your terms, not a buyer's timetable.
Most owners sell once. Buyers evaluate opportunities constantly. The guide gives the owner a practical frame before the room gets asymmetric.
Value
See valuation like a buyer
Learn how buyers think about earnings quality, owner dependency, customer concentration, and transfer risk.
Terms
Protect the proceeds
Understand earnouts, holdbacks, working capital, reps, warranties, and the terms that move cash at close.
View & download the checklist (PDF)
All resourcesHow to use it
Use the resource as a decision path, not a reading assignment.
Each section should help you decide what to prepare, what to ask, what to stop, or what to route next.
01step
Process
Clarify.
Name your timing, personal goals, buyer exposure, and current readiness gaps.
01 / 04
02step
Process
Build.
Organize the materials, proof, numbers, and process context buyers will request.
02 / 04
03step
Process
Activate.
Use the guide when an LOI, buyer call, or advisor recommendation needs interpretation.
03 / 04
04step
Process
Execute.
Keep each decision connected to value, timing, control, and confidentiality.
04 / 04
Resource spec
What this resource is built to clarify.
The point is not more material. The point is a cleaner decision.
Contents
Six readiness areas that keep the process legible.
- Scope
- Financials, legal and contracts, operations, customers, people and owner dependency, and the data room
- Best for
- Owners preparing 6 to 24 months ahead or responding to buyer interest
- Output
- A practical decision map before the sale process sets its own pace
- Format
- PDF checklist, free. Opens in your browser to view and download.
01
Buyer approached you
Use it before sharing records, agreeing to calls, or reacting to valuation language.
02
Exit may be coming
Use it to build readiness before timing pressure narrows your choices.
03
Terms are unclear
Use it to understand which deal terms change value and control.
Use rule
The owner should understand the process before the buyer or advisor starts defining it for them.
Related resources
Keep the next move connected.
Move to the adjacent resource when the question changes from preparation to diligence, valuation, or operating context.
Buyer lens
Due diligence checklist
See what serious buyers ask for, and why each request changes the conversation.
Learn more
Buyer course
Acquisition Playbook
Understand how a disciplined buyer evaluates, structures, and closes a deal.
Learn more
Valuation data
Off-market valuation multiples
Pressure-test a valuation range with lower middle market context, not public-company noise.
Learn more
Ready to move
Bring the question before the process gets loud.
We will help you map the readiness gap and the next practical move.