Summary

Deborah Everson shares her journey of turning around a struggling retail business and successfully exiting it. She emphasizes the importance of maximizing transferable business value and creating options for clients. Deborah and her husband went through a two-year process of preparing their business for sale, including updating inventory, improving systems, and getting their finances in order. They successfully sold the business and ensured that it remained a hardware store in their community. Inspired by their own experience, Deborah now helps other small businesses increase their value and plan for a successful exit.

Keywords

Exit planning, retail business, maximizing value, preparing for sale, successful exit, small business, legacy, community

Key Takeaways

Maximizing transferable business value and creating options is crucial for clients
Preparing a business for sale involves updating inventory, improving systems, and getting finances in order
Successful exits require a team of advisors and careful communication with employees
Life after the sale can be fulfilling and rewarding, with opportunities for new ventures and personal growth

Sound Bites

"Maximize transferable business value and create options"
"Married into the hardware business and turned it around"
"Created a five-year plan and remodeled the store"