The short answer
Simon Bedard marks the 100th episode with a solo episode answering seven questions owners ask about selling: what the business is worth, whether to use a broker, whether AI can help, how long a sale takes, how to find the right buyer, when the timing is right, and whether to accept an earn-out.
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About this episode
One hundred episodes. One consistent theme: the conversations business owners need to have about exit, and rarely do.
In this milestone episode, Simon Bedard steps back from the interview format to answer the seven questions that have come up most consistently across 100 episodes of conversations with founders, advisors, and acquirers. No guests. No framework. Just straight answers to the questions business owners are actually asking.
Frequently asked questions
What is my business actually worth?
Multiple valuation methodologies apply. Industry multiples, income approach, and asset-based, and the right answer is almost always a range, not a single number.
Can I sell my business without a broker?
You can, but the risks include leaving money on the table and making emotionally driven decisions without an experienced intermediary to buffer the negotiation.
Can I use AI to help sell my business?
AI can support analysis and preparation, but it only has your side of the equation and cannot replace the institutional knowledge an experienced advisor brings to a transaction.
How long will it take to sell my business?
Allow up to 12 months: approximately six weeks to prepare, three to six months for buyer engagement, and three months for due diligence and completion.
How do I find the right buyer for my business?
Map your market across three axes, supply chain, competitive landscape, and complementary businesses, and your shortlist of five names will typically expand to 200 or more.
How do I know when it is the right time to sell?
The decision involves three timing layers: macro economic conditions, your industry sector, and the internal state of your business and your own energy.
What is an earn-out, and should I accept one?
An earn-out is a portion of the sale price paid after settlement, contingent on hitting performance targets, and it is a risk-management tool, not a red flag, when structured properly.
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About the show
Buy Grow Sell is hosted by Simon Bedard, founder and managing director of Exit Advisory Group, a boutique mergers and acquisitions advisory firm that helps Australian business owners value, prepare for and navigate a sale. Every conversation draws on real deals and the patterns behind them.
