You've spent years — maybe decades — building a business worth real money. But here's a number that surprises most owners: most businesses that go up for sale never actually sell.
The Math Most Owners Don't See Coming
According to the Exit Planning Institute, 70 to 80 percent of businesses listed for sale never close a deal. Not because the businesses aren't valuable — but because they weren't actually ready to sell when the owner decided it was time.
Most owners only start thinking about an exit once they're already trying to leave. By then, a lot of what made the business attractive to a buyer — clean financials, a leadership team that doesn't depend entirely on the owner, a clear growth story — either isn't in place or hasn't been documented well enough for a buyer to trust it.
It's Usually Not a Business Problem — It's a Planning Problem
The Exit Planning Institute also found that about 80 percent of business owners have never sought advice about transitioning out of their business, and 88 percent have no written plan for what that transition looks like. That's not a knock on those owners — it's just how little support most of them have had access to.
What This Means for You
If your business is a meaningful piece of your net worth — and for most owners, it's 80 to 90 percent of it — then how (and when) you exit isn't just a business decision. It's the biggest financial planning decision you'll make.
The good news: this is fixable, and earlier is always better than later. Learn how we help business owners build that plan before they need it.