Avoiding a False Start when Selling your Business
If you watch athletics then you will have seen the look of absolute dismay on the face of a runner when they hear the second gun, indicating a false start, and they know that’s their race over. The months and years of work to build their bodies into the best possible shape, the work with coaches and the absolute dedication to a strict diet, all for nothing.
For athletes, it is a rare occurrence, although devastating when it happens. For business owners, however, it is decidedly more common when it comes to selling your business – and can be even more devastating. But it doesn’t have to be this way – in this article we look at some of the more common reasons for making a false start on selling your business and how to avoid them.
Fear of missing the boat
If you track M&A activity over the past 25 years, you can see that there are definite peaks and troughs in the total value of deals, which might lead you to make understandable assumptions about when is a ‘good time’ to sell your business. However, it’s not that simple.
Firstly, this sort of analysis can never give you the complete picture. The figures may be distorted by a handful of very large deals – or by an unusually high volume of deals, such as 2021 where we saw a “post-Covid catch up” effect.
The second, and most important, point is that while we can analyse the past, predicting what will happen in the future is somewhat less scientific… Selling a business can be a lengthy process and it is entirely possible that the wider M&A market will change over the 9-18 months between starting the process and concluding a deal.
What we can say, with absolute certainty, is that a good business will sell – a business that is growing, with a strong client base, scarcity value, recurring revenue and future potential. It is equally important that you are ready, both for the emotional roller-coaster ride that you are about to embark on, and that you are certain this is the right decision for you financially.
So, to avoid a false start, I would suggest you ask – is my business ready and am I ready – before you ask – is now a good time…
Lack of preparation
Entrepreneurs Hub will typically take 2-3 months intensively preparing your business for sale before approaching the market. Selling your business is not like any other transaction you will have done before and therefore requires a different level of preparation. From the documentation and financial planning to the gathering of information for due diligence it is something that catches a lot of people out.
Properly preparing documentation and finances is something that makes a real difference to the chances of achieving a successful deal completion, as this Fortune 500 acquirer from the US commented:
“We have struggled with deals that once started didn’t make sense… Often documentation and finances were not in good shape… Entrepreneurs Hub have made a difficult process really smooth. You are the best sell-side advisory we have worked with yet.”
Taking your eyes off the ball
Selling your business can become all consuming, especially if you are trying to do it yourself or aren’t getting enough support from your advisor. The false start here is possibly one of the most frustrating that you could experience.
You could run a text-book approach to market and come out with excellent offers. However, when you get to due diligence things start to go wrong. You’ve been so focused on selling the business that you didn’t realise that costs have been creeping up and sales have been falling off – your growth forecast that looked realistic 6 months ago, now looks over ambitious and the acquirer is asking some uncomfortable questions.
The remedy to this false start? Work with a trusted advisor who will run the process for you and allow you keep driving the business forward as if you weren’t going to sell it.
Unrealistic expectations of value
Valuation is a tricky subject that we don’t have time to fully explore here, but one of the biggest stumbling blocks for a deal is if offers don’t meet with the expectations of the shareholders. So, what can you do to prevent this false start?
Understand what you need. Understanding the amount of money that you need to do all the things you want to do is a really good place to start. Speak to a Wealth Management advisor about your lifetime cashflow. It can be really helpful to put any valuation you do get into perspective.
Secondly, get a valuation range. While we would stop short of placing a value on your business and we can’t make any guarantees – we will give you an indicative value range, an honest appraisal of where we expect offers to land. And if this falls short of your expectations, we can work with you and your business to close the gap before you go to market.
Inexperience
You know how to run a successful business, but have you ever sold one before? For a handful of you the answer may be yes, and that’s great, but you will also know the value of volume in experience. As a team, Entrepreneurs Hub has experience of well over 300 transactions which includes buy-side and sell-side experience.
An advisor who brings this kind of experience to the table is invaluable in helping you get the approach right and maximising your chances of a successful outcome when it comes to negotiate the sale. Of course, your acquirer is likely to have completed several transactions and will be well experienced:
“We could never had sold the business without the help of Entrepreneurs Hub. Even the company that bought us and had experience of several previous acquisitions complemented us on how professional and organised and easy to deal with our advisors were that made the whole process very smooth.”
Rolf Howarth, former owner of Square Box Systems commenting on the company’s sale to Nasdaq listed acquirer Quantum.
If you found this article helpful, you may be interested to read our Guide to Selling your Business in 2025.
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FAQs – Selling Your Company
How do I sell my business in the UK?
Selling a business in the UK typically involves preparing financial information, obtaining a valuation, identifying suitable buyers and negotiating the terms of a sale. Most owners work with an M&A adviser to manage the process confidentially, approach qualified buyers and maximise the value achieved.
At Entrepreneurs Hub, we talk about five key areas that make the difference between success and failure when selling your business. Read more…
What is my business worth?
A business is typically valued by applying a multiple to its sustainable profit, often EBITDA or adjusted net profit. The appropriate multiple depends on factors including growth, recurring revenue, customer concentration, management strength, owner dependency, market conditions and buyer demand.
Determining what your business is worth involves more than applying a simple formula. Use our Business Valuation Calculator to obtain an initial valuation range, or read our simple business valuation guide to understand the factors buyers consider.
How long does it take to sell a business?
Selling a business in the UK typically takes around 12 to 18 months from initial preparation to completion, although some transactions may be quicker or take longer. The timeline depends on business readiness, buyer demand, deal complexity, due diligence and how quickly the legal terms can be agreed.
Preparing accurate financial information and organising key documents in advance can help reduce avoidable delays. Read our complete business sale timeline to understand what happens at each stage.
When is the best time to sell a business?
The best time to sell a business is usually when it is performing strongly, its future growth is clear and you are not under pressure to complete a sale. Buyers are generally more attracted to businesses with rising or stable profits, reliable financial information and credible opportunities for further growth.
Business owners are often in a stronger position when:
- Revenue and profits are growing or consistently strong
- Financial records are accurate and up to date
- Future growth opportunities can be clearly demonstrated
- The business is not overly dependent on the owner
- There is a capable management team in place
- The owner has started preparing well in advance
Market conditions can also affect buyer appetite and valuation. Factors such as sector growth, access to finance and competition between buyers may support stronger deal activity, but preparation and business performance are usually more important than trying to identify a perfect month to sell.
Ultimately, the best time to sell is when both you and the business are ready, and the company can demonstrate sustainable performance and future value to potential buyers.
Use our Exit Readiness Tool to assess how prepared your business is, or read our guide on when to sell your business for further guidance.
Do I need an adviser to sell my business?
You are not legally required to use an adviser to sell your business, but many owners appoint an experienced M&A adviser to help manage the process. An adviser can prepare the business for sale, identify and approach suitable buyers confidentially, coordinate negotiations and support the transaction through due diligence.
The right adviser can also help create competitive tension, protect your time and reduce the risk of avoidable mistakes. Read our guide to choosing the right business sale adviser to understand the different types of support available.
How do I prepare my business for sale?
Preparing a business for sale involves strengthening its financial performance, reducing risk and making sure it can operate successfully without heavy reliance on the owner. Buyers will also expect accurate financial records, clear contracts, organised documentation and evidence of future growth.
Preparation should ideally begin well before approaching the market, giving you time to address weaknesses that could affect value or delay the transaction. Use our Exit Readiness Tool to assess how prepared your business currently is.
How is confidentiality protected during a sale?
Confidentiality is protected through controlled information sharing, anonymised buyer approaches and non-disclosure agreements. Potential buyers usually receive limited information at the start of the process and must sign an NDA before commercially sensitive details are released.
Prospective buyers should be assessed before receiving further information, with documents shared gradually according to their level of interest and credibility. A well-managed process also allows the business owner to retain oversight of who is approached and what information is disclosed.
What documents do I need to sell my business?
The documents needed to sell a business commonly include financial accounts, management information, forecasts, customer and supplier contracts, employment records, tax information and evidence of intellectual property ownership.
Buyers may also request details of property, insurance, legal disputes, regulatory matters and company ownership. Organising this information before due diligence begins can reduce delays and help maintain buyer confidence. Our Business Sale Due Diligence Checklist explains the main information buyers are likely to request.
What’s the quickest way to sell a company?
Selling a business quickly is possible, but speed shouldn’t come at the expense of value or deal security Read more…
What’s the best way to sell a business online?
Yes, you absolutely can sell a business online. Many platforms specialise in connecting business sellers with buyers. Read more…
How can I increase the value of my business before selling?
You may be able to increase the value of your business by improving sustainable profits, developing recurring revenue and reducing reliance on individual customers or the owner. Buyers also value capable management teams, reliable financial reporting, scalable operations and clear opportunities for future growth.
The earlier you identify the factors affecting value, the more time you have to make meaningful improvements. Use our Business Valuation Calculator for an initial indication of value and our Exit Readiness Tool to identify areas that may need attention.