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Thinking about stepping away from your business? Whether you’re planning to sell, hand things over, or just want to be ready when the time comes, having the right game plan is key. Exiting a business isn’t just a financial move, it’s a big personal and strategic decision. To help make the process smoother (and more profitable), here’s a fantastic collection of books every entrepreneur should read before making their exit. These picks are packed with real advice, lessons from people who’ve done it, and tools to help you make smart moves. If you’re getting serious about life after your business, these reads are a great place to start.
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The Exit Roadmap by Chris Spratling is a practical guide for business owners who want to sell their company and do it right. It’s all about helping you avoid the usual traps, build up the value of your business, and find serious buyers who are ready to make a deal. With plenty of real-life stories and straightforward advice, the book walks you through exactly what to do, whether you’re looking to sell soon or just want to be prepared for the future. You’ll learn what makes a business more attractive to buyers, how to steer clear of costly mistakes, and how to negotiate a deal that works for both your finances and your future plans. The Exit Roadmap is about giving you the tools and confidence to step away from your business on your own terms, and move on to whatever’s next without looking back.
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Go Sell My Business is a no-nonsense, easy-to-follow guide for business owners who are thinking about selling but aren’t sure where to begin. If you've built a solid business and now find yourself wondering how to make a clean, profitable exit, this book is for you. It takes the mystery out of the whole process, breaking down everything from figuring out what your business is worth to handling legal stuff, finding the right buyer, and negotiating a deal that works for you. What makes it especially helpful is the real-world advice from people who’ve actually sold their businesses and know what it’s really like. You’ll also learn how to create a plan that fits your unique situation. Your goals, your timeline, and your company. Whether you're ready to sell now or just want to get prepared, Go Sell My Business gives you the tools to do it right and move on to whatever’s next with confidence.
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Exit Strategy is a guide for entrepreneurs who are thinking about selling their business, or already in the thick of it. Written by Dr. Sherry Walling and Rob Walling, this book goes beyond the basics to cover both the business side and the emotional side of making an exit. It helps you figure out if selling is the right move, when to do it, and how to make it happen without losing your mind (or hurting your team and family along the way). You’ll get practical advice on how to build your deal, assemble the right people to help, and avoid big, expensive mistakes. But where Exit Strategy really stands out is in what happens after the sale. This book dives into what comes next: the identity shifts, the emotional ups and downs, and how to find your footing in your next chapter. If you're even thinking about selling your business, this book is a must-read.
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Start, Scale, Exit, Repeat is a fast-paced, no-fluff playbook for anyone who wants to build a startup that grows big and sells for even bigger. It’s packed with real advice from over 30 seasoned entrepreneurs, authors, and experts who’ve been there, done that, and are sharing what actually works. This book breaks down how to launch a business that stands out, scale it up fast, avoid common screw-ups, and cash out with a solid exit. You’ll learn how to attract the right funding, catch the attention of potential buyers, and build a company that keeps adding zeroes to your bottom line. Whether it’s your first startup or your fifth, Start, Scale, Exit, Repeat shows you how to do it smarter every time, and maybe even make a habit of winning big.
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The Exit-Strategy Playbook by Adam Coffey is a hands-on guide for business owners who want to sell smart, not just fast, and walk away with maximum value. Drawing on two decades of experience as CEO of private-equity-backed companies and over 100 deals under his belt, Coffey breaks down the complex world of selling a business in a way that’s clear, strategic, and actionable. The book walks you through what a real midmarket sale process looks like, especially when led by investment bankers. You’ll learn how to prepare your business, build the right team of advisors, and understand the different types of buyers you might encounter. More than anything, this book teaches you how to treat the sale of your business like an art form - one that takes planning, patience, and the right moves to get top dollar. Whether you’re years away from selling or just starting to think about it, The Exit-Strategy Playbook gives you the insider knowledge to do it right.
1
The Exit Roadmap by Chris Spratling is a practical guide for business owners who want to sell their company and do it right. It’s all about helping you avoid the usual traps, build up the value of your business, and find serious buyers who are ready to make a deal. With plenty of real-life stories and straightforward advice, the book walks you through exactly what to do, whether you’re looking to sell soon or just want to be prepared for the future. You’ll learn what makes a business more attractive to buyers, how to steer clear of costly mistakes, and how to negotiate a deal that works for both your finances and your future plans. The Exit Roadmap is about giving you the tools and confidence to step away from your business on your own terms, and move on to whatever’s next without looking back.
2
Go Sell My Business is a no-nonsense, easy-to-follow guide for business owners who are thinking about selling but aren’t sure where to begin. If you've built a solid business and now find yourself wondering how to make a clean, profitable exit, this book is for you. It takes the mystery out of the whole process, breaking down everything from figuring out what your business is worth to handling legal stuff, finding the right buyer, and negotiating a deal that works for you. What makes it especially helpful is the real-world advice from people who’ve actually sold their businesses and know what it’s really like. You’ll also learn how to create a plan that fits your unique situation. Your goals, your timeline, and your company. Whether you're ready to sell now or just want to get prepared, Go Sell My Business gives you the tools to do it right and move on to whatever’s next with confidence.
3
Exit Strategy is a guide for entrepreneurs who are thinking about selling their business, or already in the thick of it. Written by Dr. Sherry Walling and Rob Walling, this book goes beyond the basics to cover both the business side and the emotional side of making an exit. It helps you figure out if selling is the right move, when to do it, and how to make it happen without losing your mind (or hurting your team and family along the way). You’ll get practical advice on how to build your deal, assemble the right people to help, and avoid big, expensive mistakes. But where Exit Strategy really stands out is in what happens after the sale. This book dives into what comes next: the identity shifts, the emotional ups and downs, and how to find your footing in your next chapter. If you're even thinking about selling your business, this book is a must-read.
4
Start, Scale, Exit, Repeat is a fast-paced, no-fluff playbook for anyone who wants to build a startup that grows big and sells for even bigger. It’s packed with real advice from over 30 seasoned entrepreneurs, authors, and experts who’ve been there, done that, and are sharing what actually works. This book breaks down how to launch a business that stands out, scale it up fast, avoid common screw-ups, and cash out with a solid exit. You’ll learn how to attract the right funding, catch the attention of potential buyers, and build a company that keeps adding zeroes to your bottom line. Whether it’s your first startup or your fifth, Start, Scale, Exit, Repeat shows you how to do it smarter every time, and maybe even make a habit of winning big.
5
The Exit-Strategy Playbook by Adam Coffey is a hands-on guide for business owners who want to sell smart, not just fast, and walk away with maximum value. Drawing on two decades of experience as CEO of private-equity-backed companies and over 100 deals under his belt, Coffey breaks down the complex world of selling a business in a way that’s clear, strategic, and actionable. The book walks you through what a real midmarket sale process looks like, especially when led by investment bankers. You’ll learn how to prepare your business, build the right team of advisors, and understand the different types of buyers you might encounter. More than anything, this book teaches you how to treat the sale of your business like an art form - one that takes planning, patience, and the right moves to get top dollar. Whether you’re years away from selling or just starting to think about it, The Exit-Strategy Playbook gives you the insider knowledge to do it right.
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