Why Preparing Early Can Make - or Break - Your Future Business Sale.
Most business owners don’t think about selling until they’re ready to walk away.But by then, it’s often too late to fix the things that matter most to buyers.If you ever plan to sell your business — whether it’s in two years or ten — the time to start preparing is now. Because when the time comes, a buyer will analyse every detail of your business, not just what you show them on the surface.And what they discover during due diligence can make or break the deal.Buyers Don’t Just Look at Your Numbers — They Look for RiskSerious buyers don’t make decisions based on top-line revenue or hearsay.They dig deep. They want to know:
Are the financials clean, consistent, and verifiable?
Are there any red flags in your tax returns or bank statements?
Do staff contracts, supplier agreements, or customer relationships rely too heavily on you?
Are there liabilities or obligations that haven’t been disclosed?
Are systems and processes clearly documented?
Can the business operate without the owner?
Anything unclear, messy, or overly dependent on you is a risk.
And risk lowers the value — or kills the deal altogether.
Due Diligence Is Like a Business Autopsy (While You’re Still Alive)
Due diligence is intense.
It’s where a buyer (and often their accountants, solicitors, and lenders) go through your business with a fine-tooth comb.
If they find surprises — unexpected tax liabilities, inconsistent margins, unclear contracts, or personal spending buried in the accounts — they’ll either:
Reduce the offer price
Change the deal structure
Walk away completely
Many deals collapse not because the business isn’t good, but because it wasn’t exit-ready.
How to Start Building With Your Exit in Mind
The good news? Exit readiness is something you can build.
Here’s what to focus on now, while you’re still in control:
Clean up your financials
Ensure all income is declared and expenses are clearly categorised
Separate personal spending from business accounts
Work with a good accountant to produce clean, consistent statements
Systemise your operations
Document your key processes and workflows
Delegate effectively so the business doesn’t rely on you
Build a team that can run day-to-day without constant input
Protect your contracts and key relationships
Get everything in writing — staff, suppliers, and clients
Make sure your agreements are transferable
Reduce reliance on handshake deals or personal relationships
Build a clear paper trail
Keep solid records of performance, customers, marketing, and operations
A buyer will want proof — not just a pitch
Every Decision You Make Today Impacts Your Exit Tomorrow
Whether your timeline is 12 months or 12 years, exit planning starts with how you operate right now.
Run a tight ship. Document everything. Think like a buyer.
Because when the day comes and someone’s writing a cheque for your life’s work, you’ll want to be confident that every part of your business will stand up to scrutiny.Thinking of Selling Your Business in the Future?
At Coolstown Capital, we specialise in acquiring well-run Irish businesses from owners who are ready for their next chapter.
Visit www.coolstowncapital.com
