Top tips: How I exited my business

3. Develop your successor

Even before you trigger your exit, develop your successor and expose them to your role. This will help them feel confident about stepping up, and let you demonstrate to your buyer that you aren't irreplaceable.

4. Have a sale price in mind

Know what your walk-away number is and be realistic. I didn't get what I wanted and had to take my 'good' rather than my 'better' or 'best' sale price.

5. Commit to your plan

Design several exit strategies, pick one and commit to it. This provides clarity when you're going through a complex process.

6. Be prepared for emotional challenges and changes in relationships

You'll be negotiating with former colleagues and board members, which can be difficult. As a founder, it is — and will feel — personal but it's important to remember your shareholders' position is a business one.

7. Be conscious of your attachment to the business

Founders often put so much of themselves into their businesses. While this can be great for organic growth, it can make separating problematic for both you personally, and for the company.

Explore the detachment process with a coach.

8. Prepare for number negotiations

This is obviously a big part of the process. As a way to ready yourself for negotiations, imagine what your shareholders will say.

Lean on your exit team — and particularly your accountant — for support, and think about taking them with you when you negotiate the sale.

9. Be discreet

If other people within the business know you're considering an exit, it could cause concern. The more people who know, the greater the risk of the news being leaked to clients.

As such a situation could harm your focus, the company's reputation and ultimately your negotiation position, it pays to be discreet.

10. Plan for your transition

Consider upskilling while you're exiting. Directing your curiosity with learning helps you to keep an open, responsive mind, which you'll need during such an uncertain time.

11. Reward yourself

When you strike the deal, give yourself a gift as a reminder of the journey you've travelled, from founding the business to exiting it.

12. Reconnect

Former colleagues, employees and clients are your work community, and may be quite close friends. You don't have to disconnect for long. After a conscious break I started meeting back up with previous colleagues and clients just two months later.