The Decision to Sell Is Rarely About a Spreadsheet.

It's about autonomy, freedom, and what you want the next chapter of your life to look like.

What actually motivates a sale

Personal and values-driven, not just price.

The top three reasons owners consider selling are about autonomy, freedom, and timing.

53%

Financial independence

Securing the freedom that the business was always meant to create.

43%

More time for life

Family, health, travel, and the pursuits that got deferred for years.

42%

The timing is right

The business is in high demand and the moment to capitalize has arrived.

Source: 2025 national study of 750 U.S. business owners

A wave is coming

The earlier you start, the more value you can build.

The overwhelming majority of owners intend to sell within the decade. That's good news and a warning: more sellers means more competition for buyers' attention, and your timeline decides how much runway you have to maximize value.

Within 3 years48%

Within 5 years64%

Within 10 years81%

Source: 2025 national study of 750 U.S. business owners