So, it’s worth asking:
- What are my priorities and long-term goals? Does my business still align with the lifestyle I want to build?
- Am I still energised by the business and excited to take it to the next level, or has my motivation started to fade?
- Is it time to move on while the value is strong?
If selling your business has been lingering in the “one day” category, 2026 might be the year to bring it forward and act with intent.
Because while most business owners start the year with good intentions, the sellers who achieve the strongest outcomes tend to do one thing differently:
They move decisively, and early.
Move now to have more control later
Selling well rarely starts with listing your business.
It starts earlier, often months before you ever speak to a buyer. The strongest results tend to come from business owners who prepare while they still have options, not when they feel rushed to make a decision.
That’s because once you decide to sell, things can move quickly. The right buyer can appear sooner than expected, and if you are not ready, you may find yourself scrambling to pull together financials, explain inconsistencies, or tidy up details that should have been addressed long before.
Preparation gives you control.
It allows you to present the business clearly, confidently, and on your terms. It also gives you time to strengthen the areas that buyers look at most closely, including profitability, systems, and how dependent the business is on you personally.
And while no business is perfect, the businesses that sell best are the ones that feel well-run, stable, and transferable. Buyers will always pay more for certainty than they will for potential.
What it means to prepare early
Preparing early does not mean you need to make drastic changes or overhaul everything. It means being intentional about the details that create confidence in the eyes of a buyer.
Most buyers are not just purchasing a product or service. They are buying stability. They want to see clear, consistent performance, and they want to understand what they are stepping into.
A business that looks organised, well-documented, and easy to take over will always stand out against one that feels messy or overly reliant on the owner.
That is why the fundamentals matter so much:
- Clean financial reporting and clear earnings
Buyers want to understand what the business produces, what it costs to run, and what a new owner can realistically expect to take out of it. If the numbers are unclear, inconsistent, or difficult to interpret, it creates uncertainty, and uncertainty usually impacts price. - Systems and operations that support a smooth transition
If you are the person holding everything together, a buyer will naturally question whether the business can run without you. Reducing owner dependency does not mean stepping away completely. It means building structure around the business so a new owner can see how it operates day to day. - Commercial details that reduce risk
Leases, staffing arrangements, supplier agreements, and key contracts can all influence buyer confidence. These are the areas where a buyer may look for risk, even if the business is otherwise performing well.
The cost of waiting
Most business owners don’t delay selling because they are indecisive. They delay because they are busy, and because the business is still working.
It might still be profitable. It might still be growing. It might still provide a good income. So, selling becomes something you think about “eventually”, and eventually keeps moving.
The challenge is that the best time to sell is usually when you have strong performance and strong energy. When both are in place, you can plan calmly, improve strategically, and go to market with confidence.
When owners wait until they are tired, burnt out, or ready to leave immediately, the sale often becomes reactive. That can shift the balance of power.
Instead of choosing the timing, you are working around urgency.
Instead of holding firm on terms, you are more likely to compromise.
Instead of testing the market confidently, you may accept the first deal that feels “good enough”.
That is when value can quietly slip away.
Buyers tend to sense when a seller is under pressure, even if the business still looks strong on paper. It comes through in the way information is presented, in the way decisions are made, and in how quickly a seller wants things wrapped up.
Selling at the right time is not just about market conditions. It is about your position. Your level of control. Your ability to make clear decisions. Your capacity to stay engaged through the process and negotiate properly.
That is why the most successful sellers do not wait until selling becomes urgent. They start early, build readiness, and keep their options open. That is what allows them to move decisively when the timing is right.
A decisive seller does not rush, they plan
Selling your business is not just another business decision. For most owners, it is one of the biggest financial and lifestyle moves they will ever make.
That is why the strongest outcomes rarely come from rushing. They come from preparation, clarity, and having the confidence to act when the timing is right.
If selling is on your horizon, now is the time to prepare because small improvements made early can have a meaningful impact when it comes time to go to market. It is also the difference between being forced into a decision and making one on purpose.
At LINK, we help business owners understand what their business is worth, what buyers will focus on, and what steps will strengthen their position before going to market.