Prioritize This Before You Sell

July 08, 2025

Business owners often think revenue levels are the main measure of business value, but there is so much more to building real business assets.

For expertise-based businesses, a potential buyer may put a high value on:

Consistent, predictable revenue
Long-term client relationships
Intellectual property like trademarks and copyrights
A strong management team
Documented and effective business processes

I see women business owners get hurt and hustled. All. The. Time. I feel protective of my clients and colleagues.

So, I’m sharing tangibles for women to believe, find, prioritize, avoid, fix, keep secret, learn, lose, negotiate, and plan before you sell. This is the third of ten ‘Do This Before You Sell’ articles I’ve developed to help you navigate your business exit without all the pain…

Today’s Question:

What should you prioritize before you sell?

Here’s the Twist . . .

You can’t go wrong when you prioritize profit – and the best way to be consistently profitable is by focusing on predictable, repeating revenue.

If you’re providing services on a regular basis instead of a one-time project, you’ve raised the value of your company.

If you and your team are charging billing rates and the revenue from you is significantly higher than from your combined staff, balancing out that percentage helps raise the value of your company.

A potential buyer is analyzing what happens when you’re no longer there. They’ll lose your percentage of the revenue unless changes are made.

If you have long-term contracts with ideal clients, you’ve raised the value of your company.

If you have a robust business development and sales effort, you’ve raised the value of your company.

So prioritize this before you sell: increasing profit, cutting costs where you can, and demonstrating strong financial performance.

Now What?

Are you stuck in your Second Act?

Have you built a profitable and valuable business but instead of feeling like there's something missing, you’re feeling like there's something more?

If you’ve built an accounting firm, a law firm, a financial services firm, a psychology practice, or a specialty consulting firm that is generating $1 million to $10 million in annual revenue, you are in a prime market.

Larger firms and companies are growing by buying other firms. This has long been the case, but we’re seeing a higher rate than ever.

In a tragic twist, I see too many women who actually lose their company instead of exiting on their own terms. The exit process is filled with pitfalls and complex issues – especially for women.

I’ve built my business as an advocate, and I specialize in helping women founders transition to their Third Act – when you’re ready to do the work you’ve always longed to do.

As your advocate, by definition, I’m looking out for your best interests. I am not taking a brokerage fee, commission, or equity. I am not motivated by how quickly the exit moves or the final dollar amounts. I want what you want – and will help you get it.

Are you ready to exit your business on your terms?

That requires a new way of thinking, new skills, a simple and elegant design, and an advocate by your side. Contact me to learn more.

How exit-ready are you? Find out at: http://she-exits.com/

The ‘Do This Before You Sell’ Series of Articles, by Patty Block

A Note from Patty...

My life’s work is empowering high-achieving women business owners to fine-tune their operations and scale their revenue for strategic growth, creating real business value and emerging exit ready. That value can transform into wealth when they are ready to exit their company - and I believe that wealth in the hands of women elevates society as a whole.