Are you wondering, "how do I sell my business?" You're not alone. Selling your business is a big deal. Whether you're ready to retire, jump into something new, or just cash in on years of hard work, it pays literally to get your house in order first.

At Sherpa, we help everyday business owners from café owners to e-commerce, hairdressers to tradies, get their businesses sold. And no, you don’t need a flashy business broker or an MBA. Just follow this no jargon checklist and you’ll be on your way to a confident, clean sale.

Step 1: Take a Good Look at Where You’re At

Before you jump into listing your business for sale, take a moment to ask:

What’s running well in my business?
What needs tidying up?
What would make a buyer feel confident?

This isn’t about perfection, it’s about being honest. Whether you're working with a business broker or want to sell your own business, a simple review of where you’re strong and where you're not helps set the stage for a smoother sale.

Step 2: Show Buyers the Potential

Buyers aren’t just buying your business for what it does now, they’re buying what it could become.

So think about how the buyer could improve or grow the business:

Could you expand hours or services?
Are there new customers or areas you haven’t tapped into yet?
Could systems or marketing be improved?

Even if you haven’t done these things, just showing the opportunity adds value. Buyers love a business with a story they can build on.

Step 3: Make It Easy for Someone Else to Step In

One of the best ways to make your business more attractive to buyers is to show that it can run smoothly, even without you.

Ask yourself:

Could someone new walk in and take over?
Are your team and systems ready to keep things going?
Have you written down or recorded the basics like how to open, how to manage stock, how to handle customers?

You don’t need perfect systems, just enough to prove that the business won’t fall apart on Day 1. That’s the kind of thing that makes buyers feel confident and increases what they’re willing to pay.

Step 4: Clean Up the Numbers

Unless you're trying to sell your business based on its asset value or set-up cost only, and even then, chances are your financials matter.

Whether you are selling a profitable one or one that needs some love, buyers want to know:

What do you earn?
What does it cost to run?
What’s left over?

That means:

BAS and tax records should be up to date.
Cash flow and profit and loss reports should be clean.
And if you are, stop taking cash under the table.

Recording everything properly might cost you a little in tax today, but it could add tens of thousands to your final sale price.

Need help? A good bookkeeper can clean things up fast and if you're trying to secure the best price possible, it’s worth every cent.

Step 5: Make Sure Everything You’re Selling Is Actually Yours

This part’s easy to forget, but buyers care about ownership, a lot.

Check that:

You own your equipment and stock or leases are clear.
Your website, domain, and social handles are in your name.
There are no legal disputes or shared assets.

Buyers want a smooth handover. Get your paperwork in order and you’ll save time, hassle, and back and forth later.

Ready to Sell Your Business?

Once things are tidy, it’s time to:

Create a listing.
Tell your story.
Field buyer enquiries.
Finalise the deal.

With Sherpa, you can do this yourself, use our tools, and sell your business your way.

FAQ: Selling a Small Business

How do I sell my business without a broker?

You can list and sell your business yourself using Sherpa. We provide all the tools to guide you through the process, from price advice to listing to buyer management.

How much is my business worth?

Use our free business appraisal tool. We’ll estimate your price based on industry trends, similar sales, and your real numbers.

Final Word from Sherpa

You don’t need to be an expert to sell your business. You just need some prep, a clear plan, and the right tools.

Start with our free pricing tool and see what your business could be worth.