Are you a small business owner dreaming of a successful exit strategy? In this compelling episode of The KeyHire Small Business Podcast, host Corey Harlock sits down with serial entrepreneur Eric Grafstrom, founder and CEO of Exit Guide, to tackle one of the most critical challenges facing today's business owners: how to properly package and prepare your business for sale to maximize your return. 

Eric defines the core problem plaguing small business management today: most business owners are completely unprepared for the complex exit process, leading to failed sales, collapsed deals, and significantly reduced returns. This isn't just about poor planning—it's about years of hard work potentially going unrewarded due to avoidable mistakes that savvy entrepreneurs can easily prevent with proper preparation.  

This episode delves into the often-overlooked realm of small business exits, examining why businesses with revenue under $5 million are frequently overlooked by traditional advisors, despite representing a substantial market share. You'll learn about the crucial timing considerations, essential documentation, and common emotional pitfalls that can derail otherwise profitable exits. The discussion also includes innovative tools and strategies that make professional-level exit planning accessible to everyday business owners who have not previously navigated this complex process. 

You'll uncover the critical timeline for preparing a business for growth, the essential documents every serious seller requires, and why having a post-sale plan is just as crucial as the exit strategy itself. Eric shares real-world examples illustrating what distinguishes successful exits from costly failures, offering practical business growth tips that every scaling small business owner needs to hear. 

This isn't your typical business growth discussion, it's a roadmap for transforming your life's work into the financial freedom you've earned. Whether you're planning to exit in six months or six years, the insights shared in this episode could be the difference between a successful transition and a devastating disappointment. 

Thanks for listening!

Learn more about Eric: https://ericgrafstrom.com

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