Blog

Why I Thought I Could Do It All Myself (Spoiler: I Couldn’t)

You ever have one of those “I got this!” moments? Yeah… me too. About three years ago, I decided it was time to start thinking about selling my business. I’d spent the better part of 15 years building it from scratch—blood, sweat, caffeine-fueled nights, the whole nine yards.

But when it came time to figure out how to actually get out? I did what any stubborn, prideful business owner would do. I googled “how to sell a business” and thought, “Pffft, how hard could it be?”

Turns out? Really hard.

I wasn’t just selling some old fishing boat on Craigslist; I was trying to cash out of my life’s work. And buddy, there’s no “Buy It Now” button for that.

Enter: The Exit Planning Consultant (AKA My Business-Saving Fairy Godmother)

After a few months of spinning my wheels (and nearly accepting an offer that would’ve made teenage me cry into his Ramen noodles), a buddy of mine—a guy who had sold his company for more than I ever thought possible—pulled me aside and said, “Man, you need an exit planning consultant.”

At first, I thought he was joking. Like, who needs someone to help them leave? Isn’t exiting just… walking away?

Oh, sweet summer child.

An exit planning consultant is not just someone who tells you “Good job, champ, time to hang up your boots.” They’re like the combination of a financial wizard, business strategist, therapist, and street-smart negotiator all rolled into one.

I called up a few firms, talked to some suits who felt about as authentic as a $3 bill, and finally—finally—found a consultant who spoke my language. Not in buzzwords. Not in “synergistic monetization of asset liquidity.”

He said, “Look, you built a badass business. Let’s make sure you don’t get screwed when it’s time to move on.”

Sold.

What an Exit Planning Consultant Actually Does (That You Probably Can’t)

Here’s what I learned (the hard way):

• They value your business properly. Not based on what you “feel” it’s worth (because spoiler alert: feelings don’t pay the bills).
• They clean up your books. I thought my QuickBooks file was “good enough.” It was not.
• They spot potential deal-killers. That one handshake deal I made with a supplier five years ago? Yeah, that almost tanked a seven-figure sale.
• They build a game plan. Not just “sell to the highest bidder,” but “position your company to attract the right kind of buyers.” There’s a difference, trust me.
• They coach you. Selling is emotional. Letting go is brutal. They keep you from making a dumb decision when your heart gets in the way.

It’s not like they just hand you a “Congratulations, You’re Rich!” card. It’s a process. A gritty, sometimes gut-wrenching, deeply strategic process.

The Moment I Knew I Made the Right Call

Picture this: I’m sitting across from a potential buyer, sweaty palms and all, trying to smile while they’re picking apart everything wrong with my business like it’s some used car they found a dent in.

Instead of stammering like an amateur, I had my consultant next to me, calm as a sunrise on a Kentucky morning, flipping through a binder (yes, a binder) of financials, growth projections, and clean-as-a-whistle contracts.

“Actually,” he said, sliding a page across the table, “what you’re referring to was addressed last year, and here’s the documentation.”

Buyer leaned back, nodded, and said, “Okay.”

Okay! That was the moment. That was the difference between looking desperate and looking like a guy who knew his business was worth every penny.

Lessons Learned: Why You Shouldn’t Wing It

Look, I’m a prideful guy. I built my empire (okay, maybe a “small kingdom”) with grit, guts, and Google searches. But exiting? That needed a different kind of expertise.

If you’re even thinking about selling your business someday, get an exit planning consultant in your corner.

You’ll:

• Sleep better at night.
• Avoid getting lowballed.
• Actually enjoy the exit, instead of regretting it.
• Walk away with a fat check—and your dignity intact.

Because trust me—when you sell your business, you’re not just selling a building and a brand name. You’re selling your story. And that story deserves a proper final chapter.

Key Takeaways: What to Remember When Hiring an Exit Planning Consultant

• Start Early. The best exits are planned years in advance.
• Interview Several. Don’t hire the first consultant you meet unless they “get you” instantly.
• Ask About Their Process. You want someone with a playbook, not someone “winging it.”
• Understand the Cost. Good consultants aren’t cheap—but the return on investment can be insane.
• Trust Your Gut. If they sound like a used car salesman, keep walking.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Be a Hero (Be Smart Instead)

There’s honor in building a business. But there’s wisdom in knowing when to call in help.

I walked away from my business sale not just with a check that made my knees a little weak—but with a sense of pride. I didn’t “luck” into it. I didn’t “wing” it. I built the damn thing, then I exited like a pro.

And it all started with swallowing my pride and hiring the right exit planning consultant.

If you’re sitting there wondering whether you need one? You probably do.

And your future self—sitting on a beach somewhere, sipping something cold and fruity—will thank you. ️

Why I Finally Caved and Got My Business Valued

I’ll be honest with you, friend. For years, I treated the idea of “business valuation services” like I treat kale at a buffet — politely nodding at it… while loading up on mac and cheese instead.

In my mind, business valuations were for either (a) people with way more money than me or (b) folks looking to slap a “For Sale” sign on the front door and peace out. Neither box fit my reality at the time.

But then came 2023. Cue dramatic thunder noise.

Revenue hit a weird plateau. Competitors started circling like hawks on a busted tractor. Investors I once laughed off were suddenly sliding into my inbox. And I had this gnawing thought: “Man, I have no idea what my business is actually worth.“

Spoiler alert: That’s not a good feeling.

So, against every stubborn bone in my body, I picked up the phone and booked a business valuation service. And buddy, let me tell you — it was a ride.

What Nobody Tells You About Business Valuation Services

First off, it’s not like they roll up, shake your hand, and hand you a neat little number on a cocktail napkin.

Nah. It’s more like peeling an onion in a rainstorm.

They dive deep — like, marianas trench deep — into every dusty file cabinet and half-finished spreadsheet you’ve been avoiding. (If you’re the kind of person who keeps receipts in a shoebox marked “Important Crap,” buckle up.)

Here’s what my process looked like:

• Financial Records Scrub: Three years’ worth of P&Ls, balance sheets, and tax returns. Spoiler: they found $2,300 I forgot about in an old PayPal account.
• Customer Analysis: They actually called a few clients (with my permission) and asked them — in their polite business-valuation way — whether they thought I was indispensable or replaceable.
• Market Comparison: They pulled comps like real estate agents, showing what similar businesses had sold for. (Newsflash: everyone thinks their business is worth more than it is.)
• Risk Assessment: Are you the “face” of your biz? What happens if you get hit by a bus? (Dark, but… fair.)

Each step felt a little bit like therapy — uncomfortable at times, but super necessary if you want to stop lying to yourself.

The Good, The Bad, and The “Holy Crap, I Didn’t See That Coming”

The Good:

Getting a real, defensible valuation was empowering. It gave me leverage for investors, confidence for strategic decisions, and honestly… a pep in my step I didn’t realize I was missing.

The Bad:

It stung a little. I thought my baby (my business) was a seven-figure queen. Turns out she was more like a very promising six-figure princess — and she needed some grooming to sit on the big throne.

The “Holy Crap”:

My biggest “aha” was how much risk factors into valuation. I always thought “revenue minus expenses = value,” but nope. If the business is too dependent on one customer (or worse, one person — me!), the value plummets faster than my patience at the DMV.

They didn’t just tell me a number. They showed me a roadmap to make my business more valuable — and that’s worth its weight in whiskey.

How to Choose the Right Business Valuation Service (Without Getting Ripped Off)

Now, I did not just Google “business valuation” and pick the first shiny ad. No sir.

Here’s what I learned about picking a good one:

• Ask about their methodology: If they can’t explain it like you’re five, run.
• Check their credentials: Look for Certified Valuation Analysts (CVA) or Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV). Alphabet soup, but it matters.
• Read real reviews: Yelp ain’t just for diners and dive bars.
• Demand a customized report: No cookie-cutter, “insert-your-name-here” nonsense.
• Clarify the cost upfront: Good valuations ain’t cheap, but you shouldn’t have to sell a kidney either.

The service I chose cost about $6,500 — not pocket change, but compared to the clarity it gave me, I’d call it a bargain. (Also, tax deductible. Just saying.)

Final Thoughts: Should You Get Your Business Valued?

Look, I’m not here to tell you what to do. I’m just a guy who’s eaten humble pie and seen the light.

If you’re serious about growing, selling, merging, or even just sleeping better at night knowing what your hard work is worth?

Get a business valuation.

And not “someday when things slow down.” (Spoiler: they won’t.)

Make it happen.

Because at the end of the day, your business isn’t just spreadsheets and logos. It’s blood, sweat, midnight emails, and all the crazy dreams you poured into it.

It deserves to be valued properly.

And heck — so do you.

Ready to get serious about your business’s future?

Whether you’re thinking about selling, scaling, or just keeping score — getting a professional business valuation might be the smartest move you make this year.

(Trust me: if I can survive it, so can you. )