Selling your business is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make — and the process doesn’t start with a buyer’s offer. It starts with how well you prepare behind the scenes.

Whether you’re 6 months or 6 years away from selling, there are simple, strategic steps you can take today to make your business more valuable, more attractive to buyers, and easier to transition.

At The Rossman Company, we’ve helped dozens of founders through this process. Here’s our Ultimate Exit Checklist — a clear, founder-friendly roadmap to help you get ready.

✅ 1. Get Your Financials in Order

Clear, consistent financials are the #1 foundation of a smooth exit.

Make sure you have:

• Clean P&Ls and balance sheets (at least 3 years)
• Clear breakdowns of revenue and expenses
• An understanding of your EBITDA or SDE
• A reliable bookkeeper or CPA in your corner

💡 Buyers love clarity. The easier your numbers are to understand, the faster trust builds.

✅ 2. Document Your Processes

Think like an operator, not just a founder. If you were to step away, would your business still run?

Start documenting:

• How you onboard new clients
• How you generate leads
• Key team roles and responsibilities
• SOPs for your daily workflows

💡 A business with systems is a business with value.

✅ 3. Strengthen Your Team

Your people are a huge part of what makes your company attractive. Start identifying:

• Key team members who can run things without you
• Leadership gaps you may need to fill
• Opportunities for training and development

💡 A buyer isn’t just acquiring your numbers — they’re inheriting your team.

✅ 4. Clean Up Contracts & Client Agreements

Legal and operational hygiene matters. Review and organize:

• Client contracts (especially recurring ones)
• Vendor agreements
• Employment and contractor agreements
• Any outstanding liabilities or risks

💡 Tidy paperwork = smoother due diligence = higher confidence from buyers.

✅ 5. Know Your Story — and Your Vision

A great business is more than just operations and revenue. It’s a story — of growth, challenge, resilience, and opportunity.

Ask yourself:

• What makes us different in our space?
• Where could this business go with more support or scale?
• Why would a buyer be excited about this opportunity?

💡 Great deals are built on clear numbers AND a compelling vision.

✅ Bonus: Start Conversations Early

Even if you’re not ready to sell, it’s smart to start building relationships with potential acquirers early. It gives you:

• More time to prepare
• A clearer sense of your valuation
• Guidance on how to grow toward a premium exit
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At The Rossman Company, we love talking to founders early — not to pressure them, but to be a resource along the way.

📥 Want the Checklist as a Download?

We're putting together a printable version of this guide you can use with your leadership team or advisors.

📩 Reach out and we’ll send it your way — no strings attached.


🌲 Or join our Pacific Northwest Founder Community for peer support and early-stage exit planning tips.