Are You the Business?

“Can I sell my business if I AM the business? I’ve built my brand around my name and thought leadership. Who would want to buy that?”

I’m asked this question all the time. Because I work with a lot of professional services business owners, building the brand around their name is standard practice.

But if you think you can’t sell your business because it bears your name, think Jenny Craig, Martha Stewart Living, McKinsey & Company, Ernst & Young, Ben & Jerry’s. I could go on…

Today’s BlockbustHER BrainteasHER:

Is your business “you-shaped”? How can you sell a founder-centric business without starting over?

Patty’s Perspective . . .

Many women in professional services and consulting build a business that’s synonymous with them. Your name is on the door, clients ask for you, and your reputation is the brand.

To position your business for your exit, I recommend several important steps:

• Be The Face: Unless or until you transition out of the company, you are still the ‘face’ of the business and make all major decisions. Delegation has an important role to play, but don’t delegate client relationships.
• Be the Work: Make a distinction between ‘being’ the work and ‘doing’ the work. In other words, you start, build, and maintain the client relationships and your staff can follow your process to ‘do’ the work.
• Brand Your Method: Document your approach and give it a name. Whether it’s a 5-step framework or a signature system, make it teachable and repeatable. That becomes the asset.
• Go Beyond Your Persona: Build thought leadership beyond your persona. Create blogs, content, and tools that live under the business brand—not just your personal name. This makes your expertise scalable and transferable.

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/