As a business owner, you’re deep in the trenches of running your company on a daily basis: satisfying customers, strategizing on how to stay competitive, managing team members, and helping put out fires. You know that someday you’ll need to think about taking the next Big Step—merging, selling, restructuring, or even retiring. But you just don’t have the time to plan for the inevitable transition that is looming, and it all feels a bit daunting and hazy. 

Not only do you lack the time to plan your next steps, but you lack the deep expertise and experience to make the best choices for yourself, your employees, and your family. That’s why it is so important to find a trusted advisor to help you navigate these uncharted waters. 

What do you need to know to sell your company? What do your financials say about the worth of your business? Will your company survive if you step down? How does your business factor into your retirement picture? 

While the responses to those questions will be as unique and personal as your business model, the background you need to find the answers is the same for everyone. In the next few chapters, we’ll walk you through what you need to know to make what could be the most important business decision of your life. Grab a cup of coffee and buckle your seatbelt, because it’s going to be an interesting ride.