Welcome back to the Mid Market Insider!
Today, I’m breaking down why the most successful exits are planned years before a business ever goes to market—and how waiting until you’re “ready to sell” can quietly destroy your leverage with buyers.
Thinking About Selling Your Business?
If you're considering a sale or simply exploring your options, feel free to learn more and start the conversation below:
Here’s a scenario I’ve seen play out more times than I can count:
A founder is doing tens of millions in revenue. Great margins. Strong year over year growth. They’re told by their M&A advisor: “Your business will command a premium multiple.” And they have multiple buyers interested.
But then diligence starts.
And pretty soon, all their leverage disappears.
The valuation drops… The deal structure gets worse and worse… Or, sometimes the buyer just walks away.
What happened?
Well, here’s the good news… The problem isn’t the business.
The problem is that most business owners believe their exit strategy only starts when they hire an M&A advisor.
And that belief alone has cost countless founders a successful exit.
Why?
Because by the time you feel “ready to sell,” the game is already half over.
The best exits aren’t rushed at the last minute.
They’re engineered years in advance.
So to stop this situation from happening to you, I’ve made a YouTube video going deep into the 7 most powerful exit strategies that I’ve learned over the past 2 decades of helping founders to exit their businesses.
In this video, you’ll be initiated into the principles the top 1% of sellers follow – and why most exits underperform without them.
Including…
When to listen to your chosen M&A advisor… and when NOT to.
The deadly “rookie traps” that catch founders who are exiting a business for the first time
What never to say when you’re asked what makes your business “unique”
That’s all for today’s newsletter! Thanks for reading!
📅 Next Week:
In next week’s edition, I’ll break down the most common reason deals fall apart after an LOI is signed—and why so many business owners never see it coming.
And how a small drop in performance during the sale process can quickly erode buyer confidence, valuation, and deal certainty.
Keep building,
Nick
In Case You Missed It: Must-Watch Video
Best Exit Strategies for Business Owners Looking To Sell A Business
Click the link below and check it out:
