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Is My Business Ready to Sell?
A quick, do-it-yourself readiness check for owners thinking about the next chapter, whether it's 1 year away or 10. It covers the same things buyers examine closely, and the same ground we work through in our Exit Readiness work, in condensed form.
Think of it as a starting point. It shows where you stand and what to work on first. It doesn't tell you what your business is worth.
- Free and self-guided
- About 15 minutes
- No email needed
Why start years ahead
Buyers pay for what they can count on
Clean books, a capable team, loyal customers spread across many accounts and an owner who isn't needed every day all make a business less risky to buy, and less risk generally means stronger offers and better terms. Buyers usually want to see improvements reflected in about three years of results.
The best options take time
Some tax, estate and financial planning strategies need years to set up, and a well-prepared business appeals to more kinds of buyers, which gives you more choices.
Life doesn't wait for the perfect moment
Health, burnout and family events don't follow a schedule. A business that's ready gives you options when life happens, and it's better to own in the meantime.
How far ahead should you start? Ideally three or more years before you'd like to step back, and at least one.
How to score
For each statement, pick the answer that's true today.
- YesTrue today, and you could show a buyer the proof
- PartlySomewhat true, inconsistent, or not documented
- NoNot true today
- Not sureCounts as No
Why "Not sure" counts as No: if you don't know, a buyer will assume the worst.
Your results
How ready your business is today
Your score is not a price or a value. It measures how ready your business is to transfer to a new owner, not what it's worth. For a valuation, talk with a qualified business appraiser or your CPA.
All 8 sections
Who should be on your team
No single advisor covers everything
| Advisor | How they help |
|---|---|
| CPA | Financial statements, tax planning for a sale, cleaning up the numbers |
| Business attorney | Contracts, deal structure, legal review and the sale documents |
| Financial advisor or wealth planner | What you'll need from a sale, and your plan for life afterward |
| Business appraiser | An independent opinion of what the business is worth |
| Business broker or M&A advisor | Finding buyers, marketing the business and managing the sale process |
| Business consultant | Strengthening the business before you go to market: reducing owner dependence, building the team, documenting operations and improving the numbers |
Where Fanto Strategy Group fits: we help owners make their businesses stronger, less dependent on them and more transferable, usually starting several years before a sale. We work alongside your CPA, attorney and other advisors. We don't value businesses, broker sales or receive any compensation tied to the sale of a business.
Want a deeper look?
Exit Readiness takes a detailed look at how ready your business, and you, are for the next chapter, with a scorecard, a written report and a plan for closing the gaps.
Not thinking about a sale yet? Try the free 10-Minute Business Health Check.
This checklist is a general business tool for educational purposes. It is not legal, tax, accounting, insurance, investment or valuation advice, and using it does not create a consulting, attorney-client or other professional relationship. We don't provide business valuations or brokerage services, and we receive no compensation tied to the sale of any business. Please consult your own licensed professionals before making decisions about the future of your business.