🎙️ Did you know only 20% of businesses ever sell? Find out how to beat the odds in this episode.

In this insightful episode of From Battle to Business, host Dean Van Dyke speaks with Evan Poling, an entrepreneur redefining how businesses are sold. Selling your business is one of the most significant decisions a business owner can make, yet many are unprepared for the challenges that come with it. Evan shares his journey into entrepreneurship and how his frustrations with traditional business brokerage inspired the creation of BizRetire—a platform designed to streamline the process and empower business owners to take control of their exits.

They discuss the inefficiencies of traditional business brokerages, the importance of planning years in advance, and the emotional and financial pitfalls of not being prepared. Whether you’re thinking about selling your business now or in the future, this episode provides valuable advice to maximize your business’s value and achieve a seamless transition.

Key Takeaways

1. Start Planning Early: Preparing your business for sale can take years. Begin optimizing your operations, finances, and processes well in advance.

2. Avoid Last-Minute Sales: Many owners wait until they’re ready to retire, but this often leads to rushed decisions and reduced business value.

3. Understand Valuation: Learn what drives your business’s value and how to position it attractively for buyers.

4. Streamline the Process: The traditional business brokerage model involves inefficiencies. Using technology and proper preparation can help you close deals faster.

5. Statistics Matter: Only 20% of businesses actually sell. Avoid being part of the 80% by preparing now.

6. Future-Proof Your Exit: Life events like health issues or divorce can force a sudden sale. Have a plan in place to avoid panic selling.

7. Boomer Challenges: Baby boomers’ reliance on traditional brokerages and handshakes can slow their ability to adapt to modern selling strategies.

Step-by-Step: Preparing to Sell Your Business

1. Start Five Years Out: Begin improving operations, cutting unnecessary costs, and ensuring your finances are transparent.

2. Work With Experts: Hire accountants and consultants to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement.

3. Address Key Buyer Concerns: Make your business less dependent on you by delegating and creating repeatable systems.

4. List Strategically: Choose platforms or professionals who align with your goals and reduce unnecessary middlemen.

5. Close the Deal: Focus on building trust and transparency during negotiations to secure a successful sale.

Notable Quotes

• “You really need five good years to prepare for a business exit.”

• “The statistic is only 20% of businesses ever sell—it’s grim, but planning ahead changes the odds.”

• “Most people think they can sell when they retire, but you need to act long before then.”

Resources Mentioned

• BizRetire: A platform designed to simplify the process of selling businesses by eliminating inefficiencies and keeping the human element where it counts.

• Financial Advisors: Professionals to guide you through valuation and preparing your business for sale.

Connect with Evan Poling at BizRetire.com:

• BizRetire

Connect with Dean Van Dyke at The Breakthrough Blueprint:

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

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