Most business owners do not decide  to procrastinate on exit planning. They simply stay busy. There is always another fire to put out, another customer to win, another year that “should be better than the last.” The business is profitable. Cash flow is decent. The owner is still capable. Selling feels distant, even optional. And that is precisely where the danger lies. Exit preparation is not something you do when you are ready to sell . It is something you do years before you need to sell:...

As we head into 2026, many business owners are looking ahead wondering what the next few years will bring, what opportunities might emerge, and whether their business is truly ready for whatever comes next. And while the holidays often bring reflection, they also bring a gentle reminder: time moves faster than we think. In the world of business transitions, that truth hits especially hard. Too many owners wait until they want to sell to start preparing, only to discover that readiness isn’t...

Why the smartest sellers begin preparing long before they intend to exit With economic uncertainty, demographic pressure, and a rising wave of retiring business owners, the next few years will see accelerated activity in the private business market. Owners considering a sale between 2026 and 2029 must begin preparing well before they enter a formal process. Buyers are more selective than ever, premium valuations are awarded only to the most prepared companies, and due diligence expectations...