15/02/2025

Thinking About Retirement? Here's When to Sell Your Business.

Thinking About Retirement? Here's When to Sell Your Business.

Spoiler. It’s probably earlier than you think.


Most small business owners dream of retiring one day, maybe heading north with the caravan, spending more time with family, or finally enjoying life without the daily grind. But here’s the thing. If you own your own business, retirement isn’t as simple as giving two weeks’ notice.


Retirement means exiting your business and that means selling it the right way, at the right time, and ideally for the best possible price.


Here’s how to know when to sell your business, how to prepare it for retirement, and why getting sale ready sooner gives you the upper hand.


Don’t Wait for a Crisis


We’ve seen it too often. A business owner waits too long to act. Then illness, burnout, or unexpected life events force a rushed sale.


The result?


The business isn’t prepared.
You’re not present or motivated.
Buyers sense urgency, and the sale price drops.


If you’re thinking “I’ll sell my business when I’m ready to retire”, remember this. The best time to start preparing is before you need to sell.


Sherpa tip. Sell from a position of strength, not stress. You’ll get more interest, more confidence from buyers, and a better deal.


Plan Your Business Exit 2 to 3 Years Ahead


Selling a small business isn’t overnight. From listing to settlement, the average sale takes 4 to 9 months and getting ready to sell often takes longer.


That’s why retirement planning and your business exit strategy should go hand in hand.


Here’s what to start doing now:


Clean up your financials and boost profitability.
Reduce reliance on you so it’s easier for someone else to take over.
Document key systems and processes.
Sort out leases, suppliers, and legal loose ends.
Get a free business appraisal so you know where you stand.


Whether you’re 2 years out or just starting to think about retirement, these steps help you sell your business with confidence, and avoid scrambling later.


Be Present During the Sale Even if You're Ready to Step Back


Retiring doesn’t mean disappearing. If you want a good result, buyers need to see that:


You’re available to answer questions.
You’re transparent during due diligence.
You’ve got nothing to hide and systems in place.


You don’t need to do it all yourself but you do need to be involved.


With Sherpa, you stay in control, but our platform handles the heavy lifting from AI powered buyer follow ups to document prep and listing syndication across more than eight major business for sale sites.


Final Thought. Retire On Your Terms


The best time to sell your business for retirement is before you’re ready to walk out the door.


Start with a clear exit plan, a realistic understanding of your business value, and a platform like Sherpa that makes the process smoother and smarter.


Whether you’re:


Trying to figure out how to sell a small business for retirement.
Wondering if you need a business broker.
Or just starting to research how to retire and sell my business.


Sherpa gives you the tools to:


Price your business with AI.
Create a standout listing.
Advertise on major platforms where buyers are already searching.
Automated buyer handling, enquiries and offers, your way.


Ready to Retire Well?


Don’t wait for burnout or a buyer to knock on your door. Take control of your exit, sell your business on your terms, and head into retirement with confidence.


Start Your Free Business Appraisal Today.


Start your business's sales journey

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Start your business's sales journey

See how your business ad could look in under 2 mins

Start your business's sales journey

See how your business ad could look in under 2 mins

Start your business's sales journey

See how your business ad could look in under 2 mins

Simplifying business sales with an easy-to-use, low fee platform

Simplifying business sales with an easy-to-use, low fee platform

Simplifying business sales with an easy-to-use, low fee platform

Simplifying business sales with an easy-to-use, low fee platform