While commonly viewed as the end of the road, this stage also serves as a monumental turning point that can perpetuate the business’s legacy or offer a lucrative financial exit. It necessitates detailed planning whether selling the business, merging it with another entity, or passing it down to the next generation or your employees (ESOP). Only approximately 20% of listed businesses sell, underscoring the challenges of finding a suitable buyer and agreeing on a valuation. Given the complexities and emotional investment involved, this stage requires thoughtful planning and execution to ensure the business transitions successfully while maximizing value for the owner(s).