How to Sell Your Business Quickly

So here’s the deal.

I didn’t wake up one random Tuesday thinking, “Hey, today feels like a great day to offload my blood, sweat, and late-night pizza-fueled baby.” Nope. Selling my business was one of the hardest, weirdest, most emotional rollercoaster rides I’ve ever strapped into. And I’ve survived IPOs, activist boardroom showdowns, and yes—once got stuck in a Donald Duck costume at a kid’s birthday party. But let’s not get into that.

Anyway—if you’re here because you’re thinking about selling your business fast, buckle up. This isn’t your average boring checklist. This is a battle-tested playbook written by someone who’s been in the trenches and managed to come out the other side mostly sane (and with a decent haircut).

Let’s dive in.

1. Know Exactly Why You’re Selling Your Business

First things first—get real with yourself. Are you running from burnout? Eyeing that beach house in Tulum? Or maybe your partner suddenly thinks becoming a mushroom farmer is your new destiny (true story, don’t ask).

Your “why” shapes your strategy.

• If you’re desperate, buyers can smell it. Like sharks. Or middle school gym socks.

• If you’re just chasing a higher valuation, you’ll waste time. And time is everything when speed is your goal.

Hot Tip: Write down your goal. Literally. “I want to sell in 6 months, walk away with $2 million, and never have to answer another email with ‘per my last message.’” Boom—instant clarity.

It is also good to do your research about how to go about selling your business.  I spent a bunch of time reading the content on this website about it.

2. Clean Up Your Business Like It’s Headed to Prom

You know how you hide the dirty laundry when guests come over? Yeah. Same principle applies here.

Your business needs to look good—on paper and under the hood.

• Financials: Have clean, accurate, bulletproof books. No, QuickBooks half-filled out by your cousin doesn’t count.

• Processes: Document the heck out of your operations. If your business relies entirely on you, it’s not really a business—it’s a job.

• Staff: If your team is solid, great. If not, at least don’t let buyers think everyone’s on the verge of mutiny.

Think of it like staging a house. You’re not tricking anyone—you’re showing potential buyers what could be with the right owner at the helm.

3. Price It to Move—But Don’t Give It Away

Let’s talk money.

I know, I know—you saw some tech startup sell for 12x revenue and now you want the same. But unless you’re sitting on a SaaS unicorn, let’s come back to Earth, my friend.

Speed = smart pricing.

✅ Look at comparable sales in your niche
✅ Talk to a legit business broker (more on that in a sec)
✅ Price it just under market if you want to move fast—psychology works, even in M&A

Aim for that sweet spot where buyers feel like they’re getting a deal, but you’re not waking up with seller’s remorse three months later.

4. Don’t Go It Alone (Unless You Love Headaches)

Look—I’ve been in boardrooms with lawyers, bankers, and hedge fund folks who couldn’t agree on the definition of “net profit.” Selling a business is no joke.

If you’re trying to move quickly and stay sane, get a team.

• Business broker: A good one can make all the difference. They know buyers, they know pricing, and they know how to weed out the tire-kickers from the real deals.

• CPA or accountant: Clean books = faster due diligence = faster close.

• Attorney: Don’t DIY the legal stuff. Please. For the love of ducks and dividends.

Real talk: I tried to cut corners the first time I sold a venture. Ended up in a six-month mess that almost torpedoed the deal. Lesson learned.

5. Find the Right Buyer Fast (Yes, They’re Out There)

Here’s where the magic (and chaos) happens.

Start with your network. You’d be surprised how many people you already know might be interested—or know someone who is.

Then go broad:

• List on online marketplaces (BizBuySell, Flippa if you’re into the digital stuff, or MicroAcquire if you’re SaaS-y)

• Have your broker tap their Rolodex (yes, they still use that word… somehow)

• Post (strategically) in founder forums and investor groups

But remember: qualify your buyers. Fast sales don’t mean sloppy sales. Look for:

• Proof of funds

• Relevant experience

• Genuine interest (not someone who says “circling back” 3 times a day)

️‍♂️ If they can’t answer basic questions about your industry, you’re wasting your time.

6. Stay Cool During Due Diligence

Ah yes, the dreaded diligence phase. AKA “let me dig into every corner of your life for 3 weeks straight and ask the same question four different ways.”

This part can feel like a colonoscopy of your business—uncomfortable, invasive, and revealing. But it’s necessary.

Be prepared to hand over:

• Financial statements

• Tax returns

• Vendor contracts

• Employee agreements

• Login credentials (seriously—use a password manager)

Create a digital data room. Share everything fast. Don’t drag your feet. The faster you respond, the more confident your buyer becomes—and the quicker you close.

7. Negotiate With a Smile (and a Deadline)

You don’t have to be Gordon Gekko to close a deal. But you do need to be firm and clear.

Set expectations early:

• “I’m looking for a clean deal, no earn-outs, and I’d like to close within 60 days.”

• “Here’s my walk-away number.”

• “Here’s what’s non-negotiable—like keeping my team on board.”

Deadline = momentum. Buyers will dawdle if you let them. Give them a window, and keep things moving.

And hey—don’t be afraid to walk away. I passed on an offer that looked good on paper but felt off. Two weeks later, got a better one from someone who actually understood the business. Trust your gut.

Final Thoughts: Selling Fast Doesn’t Mean Selling Sloppy

If you remember one thing from this entire rant/guide/story-with-too-many-duck-references, let it be this:

Speed is great, but structure is gold.

The fastest deals I’ve done were the most organized, the most honest, and the most well-prepped. You don’t need to be a billionaire hedge fund manager (or a cartoon duck) to pull this off. Just someone with a little grit, a clear game plan, and the right people around you.

Now go make it happen.

Key Takeaways

• Define your “why” before you list your business

• Prep your books, systems, and team for scrutiny

• Price it smartly—aim to attract, not repel

• Build a team to streamline and support the sale

• Qualify buyers so you don’t waste time

• Crush due diligence with fast, transparent answers

• Set deadlines and keep momentum rolling

Ready for a Successful Exit?
You’ve got the blueprint. Now it’s just execution. Sell smart, sell fast—and don’t forget to reward yourself after. (Margaritas taste way better post-acquisition, trust me )