Watch: Business Owner Advice Videos
Gain first-hand insights from experts and entrepreneurs who have successfully navigated the sale process. Hear about their challenges, lessons learned, and advice for owners preparing for sale.
Exit Planning
Making the decision to sell – Hicom
“The last thing I wanted to do was be was the boxer that has one fight too many and gets knocked out in the first round…”
Making the difficult decision to sell – Fire Action
“I’d fallen out of love with the job…” But business partner Lou wasn’t happy at first…
Why We Sold – Sire Technology
“Our chairman wanted to retire… it was always built as a venture to be created and sell at some point.”
Making a decision to sell – WOW Toys
“I had really personal family reasons for wanting to sell the business. I no longer had the drive to pursue what I had been pursuing.”
Deciding to sell – Trends
“We had two options, sell the business or wind it down…”
Making the decision to sell – Optimal
“There was no way I would sell the business. It was my identity, that’s what I was. After a certain number of years you do start to feel very mortal.”
We sold at our best year – Shuretech
“I didn’t want to get to the point of beggars can’t be choosers.”
The importance of feeling heard – WOW Toys
“One thing that stood out for me… Entrepreneurs Hub took time to understand my situation and what I wanted out of the sale.”
Planning for an exit – Optimal
“Suddenly you look in the mirror and you think… I’m seeing an old man now. What is the exit plan?”
Preparation for Sale…
Who will buy Shuretech?
“I think we were surprised at some of the names that came through”
A Different Skill Set – Sire Technology
“You know how to run a business, but you don’t know how to sell a business… everything happened as they laid out.”
Finding the right acquirer – WOW Toys
“What was interesting and surprising, was just how many companies and different acquirers Entrepreneurs Hub approached.”
A bespoke approach – Trends
“It was an unusual deal. It just would never have happened without that guidance.”
Finding the best home for the business – Fire Action
“It was really important that we found the right home for Fire Action. We ended up spoilt for choice…”
Keeping an open mind on potential acquirers – Hicom
“They were a surprise to us… we had to do research on them!”
Our First Attempt Failed – Sire Technology
“There was a massive difference in the way they engaged. They painted a picture of what a sale looks like… they had the skills in-house as well.”
Communicating the opportunity confidentially – Optimal
“I feel it’s really important for Entrepreneurs Hub to understand the business. You’re running on the razor blade because you want to keep things fairly confidential. I think they did a very good job.”
It made our business stronger – Shuretech
“Almost without fail you will be able to come out stronger, no matter what you choose in the end, and have a better business.”
Getting inside the heart of a complex business – Hicom
“You understood it to the point where your representatives could talk quite fluently with potential acquirers about what we are doing as a business…”
My priorities for the sale – WOW Toys
There were a couple of really important points for me in selling the business. I’m happy to say both of those were truly achieved.”
What’s it Like to Sell?
Selling a business is a roller coaster ride – Fire Action
“You don’t know how many twists and turns there are going to be on that ride. But all you know is… you’re sat in a chair, you’re strapped in.”
We learned a lot since we bought it – Shuretech
“We skirted a few scrapes, but through hard work comes the gold at the end.”
The impact of competitive tension – Hicom
“We wanted more than one player to make an offer for us… We had three really interested parties, but we narrowed it down to two.”
Navigating the highs and lows – WOW Toys
“I was surprised at how hard some acquirers can be… But I also met some people who were quite amazing…”
The highs and lows of selling your business – Hicom
“It is dramatic, painful, exciting, depressing, it’s literally physically tiring… I learned a lot through the process about how good our business was.”
The importance of a financial expert – WOW Toys
“Quite early on I was introduced to some highly skilled people in the financial side from Entrepreneurs Hub.”
Avoid Deal Killers – Sire Technology
“It isn’t just finding somebody to buy your business, it’s making sure you are ready to be sold.”
The importance of different roles in the process – Fire Action
“Previously I’d had this notion it was something I could do myself… Lou laughs because we understand what’s involved.”
Emotional Roller Coaster – Sire Technology
“There’s a certain amount of emotional attachment to what you’ve built… so that can create a bit of a journey.”
The value of 24/7 support – Optimal
“They were there to answer any tricky questions… (helping me) understand what the underlying question was about”
What it’s really like to sell a business – WOW Toys
“Selling a business, it’s a bumpy road and you’ve got no idea what to expect…”
The value of expert guidance – Hicom
“Entrepreneurs Hub, Hicom was one entity at the latter stages. It was all very much a team effort.”
The value of dedicated FD support – Optimal
“Financially they were a great crutch in helping me through the journey”
Due diligence support – Trends
“I don’t think either of us appreciated how complicated it is…”
What due diligence actually feels like – Shuretech
“Don’t underestimate what it takes and how much detail you’re going to need to provide”
Post-Sale…
Two years on, any regrets? – Optimal
“All around I don’t think it could have been bettered”
Dealing with the aftermath – Trends
“It was a hell of an emotional roller coaster. Probably one of the most relaxing Christmases we’ve ever had.”
Achieving shareholder goals – Hicom
“I don’t think it could have been done any quicker… The valuation we got was above our floor by a reasonable amount.”
The who, when and how of informing employees – Hicom
“My biggest concern throughout all of this was how our staff and our clients would feel about the deal…”
Telling your team about the deal – Optimal
“The deal has to remain confidential for a great part of the journey, and it doesn’t make you feel good if you have a good relationship with your employees…”
How we told the team – Shuretech
“It was something I’d sat up late at night thinking, how are we going to deliver this?”
Life after sale – Shuretech
“There’s certainly a very shiny and exciting future ahead for all of us”
Life after the sale – Hicom
“I hate the term work life balance, but now I’ve got mainly life and a little bit of work…”
What has selling meant for you? – Fire Action
“I just felt that this massive weight had been lifted from my shoulders. But I also feel proud of what we have done…”
Peer-to-Peer Advice
Advice for business owners – Trends
“Most business owners are not experts in M&A, so get someone to help you.”
My advice to other business owners – WOW Toys
“Don’t be afraid of the unknown, don’t procrastinate. Entrepreneurs Hub advised as we were walking together.”
Advice for other business owners – Fire Action
“Think very carefully about who you’re going to work with… without EH I’m not sure we would have got to the point that we have…”
My advice for business owners – Optimal
“Be prepared for a lengthy journey with bumps in the road.”
Lessons learned in business – Trends
“Don’t be scared to try a new direction, or to call it a day if it’s not working.”
How to differentiate your business – Optimal
“Try to look at it from the customer’s perspective, what are they trying to achieve? Not just try and sell them a product, but actually think, how can I benefit the customer? What value can I bring them?”
A business that runs without you – Shuretech
“I think one of the bigger things is learning to let go…”
Expert Advice
10 Tips From Owners Who Sold
For most owners, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime milestone – and many wish they’d done things differently. In this video, we share 10 powerful lessons from business owners who’ve sold successfully.
Maximising Business Value
When you’re ready to sell your business, maximising its value is often the successful outcome that business owners want. This video outlines essential steps to prepare your business for sale, including valuation methods, understanding buyer perspectives, and implementing improvements to enhance its appeal.
Avoid These Mistakes When Selling Your Business
Selling your business is a not only a major financial milestone, but a hugely emotional process with the outcome reflecting years of hard work and investment. It’s a high stakes game where mistakes can be very costly.
Sell your Business for Maximum Profit
Now is a good time to sell your business, but how do you make sure you get the best price and terms? In this video we talk you through 5 key points that will help you sell for maximum profit.
Client Testimonials
Who to trust with the biggest deal of your life – Shuretech
“You look out there and there’s an array of people doing what you guys do…”
Appointing an advisor – Trends
“You just get a feel and it felt informal, it didn’t feel like a high pressure tactic.”
How to select the right advisor – Fire Action
“We had three sales pitches that we sat through… and it was really a no-brainer.”
Selecting an advisor – Hicom
“I think I could relate to you better than some of the others we had spoken to… you invested a lot of time in our deal”
Selecting the right advisor – WOW Toys
“I did meet with a number of companies… I think the ‘feel right’ is something that’s really important…”
Working with Entrepreneurs Hub – Optimal
“I feel as though I’m over selling it, but I can’t fault you! It’s not often in life whereby the first impressions are met by the experience.”
Testimonial – BlueGFX
“It was about finding the pedigree of company we wanted to work with…”
Would we do it all again? – Shuretech
“If we’d have chosen someone that maybe didn’t have the abilities or cared as much as you genuinely did, I think we would have been a little bit chewed up in the machine”