Business Exit Planning: What to Do 12 Months Before Selling
- Louis Buniak
- Oct 5
- 2 min read
Published by Business Consulting Services
Helping new business owners nationwide from Roseville, CA and Las Vegas, NV
Business Exit Planning: What to Do 12 Months Before Selling
Selling a business isn’t something you should rush — especially if you want to walk away with confidence, profit, and peace of mind. Whether you're retiring, moving on to a new venture, or just ready to exit, the best time to prepare is now — at least 6–12 months in advance.
Here’s what smart business owners do a full year before selling.
📊 1. Get Your Financials in Order
Buyers will dig into your books — and they’ll want clean, consistent records.
✅ What to do:
Reconcile all income and expense records
Separate personal and business spending (if they’re tangled)
Prepare 2–3 years of tax returns, P&Ls, and balance sheets
Work with a CPA to spot red flags or explain any unusual entries
💡 Bonus tip: A clean financial picture increases your business valuation and buyer confidence.
🧱 2. Systematize the Business
The less your business depends on you, the more valuable it is.
✅ Start building:
Written SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures)
Delegation systems or role documentation
Training materials or internal workflows
A management structure that runs smoothly without daily input from you
When buyers see a system, they see stability — and that's attractive.
🧠 3. Clarify the Real Value
Your business is worth more than just numbers. It includes:
Customer relationships
Contracts or subscriptions
Brand equity
Location/leases
Digital assets (website, SEO ranking, email list)
Business Consulting Services can help you identify and package all of this into a sale-ready valuation strategy.
🚧 4. Fix Weaknesses Before Buyers Find Them
Buyers will find the cracks — or use them to negotiate you down.
✅ Do a pre-sale audit:
Outdated contracts? Update them.
Employee issues? Resolve them.
Website underperforming? Optimize it.
Physical space in disrepair? Clean it up.
We help business owners create 12-month checklists that strengthen their business for a clean, profitable exit.
🤝 5. Quietly Start Building a Buyer Pool
You don’t have to post your business on Craigslist to get leads.
✅ Instead:
Work with a professional to confidentially explore options
Identify buyer personas (investor? operator? competitor?)
Network strategically through your industry or local community
Consider buyer financing, SBA options, or partner buyouts
A successful exit is often about planning relationships, not just sales.
📞 Ready to Start Planning Your Exit?
Don’t wait until the last minute. If you're even thinking about selling your business in the next 6–12 months, the time to plan is now.
We’ll help you with your Business Exit Planning with dignity, profit, and no regrets.
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