Are You Risking Your Best Exit by Waiting “Just One More Year”?

It’s one of the most common things we hear from business owners: “Let’s give it one more year—just one more good year before I sell.”

It sounds reasonable. After all, you want to go out on top — finish strong, show a great year of earnings, and command the highest possible price.

But here’s the catch: “one more year” often turns into two, three, or more. Often, it happens when the business owner doesn’t have a plan for what to do after selling. In the meantime, energy fades, key staff leave, and competition tightens. The numbers slip just a little. Before you know it, your once-stellar business is a little less shiny and buyers notice.

What Really Happens When You Wait

We see it all the time: An owner plans to sell next year, then something comes up — a health scare, market changes, a new competitor, a burned-out team. Suddenly, that perfect exit window is gone.

The truth is, timing matters more than most people realize. You don’t want to sell when you have to; you want to sell when you can choose to.

Start the Process Now — While Things Are Good

If selling your business is even on your radar, the best time to start planning is today, not after one more year.

Getting a professional valuation now helps you:

• Understand what your business is really worth.

• Identify weak spots before a buyer does.

• Time your exit around both your performance and market conditions.

Even if you’re not ready to sell this year, you’ll know what to work on — and you’ll be ready when the timing is right.

Let’s Talk About Your Options

At Sunbelt Business Advisors of Las Vegas, we help owners explore what’s next without pressure. We’ll show you what buyers are paying in your industry, where your business stands today, and what steps you can take to make your future sale even stronger.

That way, when you do sell, you’re doing it on your terms — not because time ran out.