Life After the Exit: Michael Silva on Navigating Identity, Loss, and Rediscovering Purpose After Selling His Business

What happens when you sell the business that defines you? Can financial success replace personal fulfillment? In this episode, Michael Silva shares his journey from building a thriving physical therapy practice to facing the emotional challenges of stepping away.

Expect real stories about preparing your business and yourself for an exit and finding purpose in the next phase of life. This episode offers essential insights if you're a business owner or entrepreneur considering your exit. Are you truly ready? Listen to find out!

[00:00 - 08:15] Michael Silva & The Identity Crisis

• Michael reflects on how his identity was tied to his role as a business owner
• Selling the business forced him to confront an emotional void he wasn’t prepared for

[08:16 - 16:23] Building the Practice and Team

• He describes the struggles of starting his practice and the importance of early key hires
• Growing a team and expanding operations were essential to the business's success

[16:24 - 25:03] Preparing for the Exit

• Michael explains how stepping back from revenue generation made the business more attractive to buyers
• Systems and a strong team allowed the business to run without his daily involvement

[25:04 - 33:19] Emotional Toll of Selling

• Selling the business left Michael feeling disconnected, even though he had prepared logistically
• Support from family helped him cope with the emotional aftermath of the sale

[33:20 - 41:11] Starting A New Chapter

• Michael talks about transitioning to coaching and the challenge of imposter syndrome
• Helping others succeed brought him a new sense of fulfillment post-exit

[41:012 - 41:48] Reflections on Fulfillment

• Financial success from the sale didn’t immediately lead to personal fulfillment
• Preparing both emotionally and financially is crucial for a successful transition

Key Quotes:

"The financial part of selling a business is only half the story—the emotional toll is what I wasn’t prepared for." - Michael Silva

"What I see most people do is get the business exit-ready, but they don't get themselves exit-ready." - Jerome Myers

Connect with Michael!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeljsilva-pt-consultant/

Website: https://michaeljsilva.com/

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