What Your Business Would Actually Sell For

Ever wonder what your business would actually sell for? I talk to founders all the time who throw out “3x revenue” or “10x EBITDA” like it’s a given. But here’s the reality: most businesses never sell. And most owners walk away with half of what they expected.

The Real Problem

The problem isn’t the business. It’s the lack of preparation.

Buyers don’t care about your dream multiple. They care about clean EBITDA, predictable revenue, and healthy cash flow. That’s it.

Messy Financials Kill

The fastest way to kill a deal is messy financials. Sloppy books can slash your value by 20 to 30 percent. I cover the essential prep work in What To Do Before Selling Your Business. If your books are off, even slightly, expect a lower offer or no offer at all.

And hoping it all works out isn’t a strategy. Buyers want proof that the business runs on systems, not memory.

Exit Ready

That’s why I built the Exit Ready Financial Model Template. It helps founders:

• Know what their business is actually worth today
• See the red flags buyers will spot
• Build a plan to exit on your terms

Here’s the bottom line: most businesses don’t sell because owners aren’t prepared. Clean financials, predictable revenue, and documented systems are what buyers want to see.

Whether you’re thinking about selling or just want to run a tighter operation, preparation is where it starts.