You’ve built a business, poured years into it, and now you’re ready to move on. But you don’t want the sale to drag on for months or even years. You want speed. You want a smooth, profitable exit. And you want to walk away with a deal that feels like a win, not a compromise. The good news? Selling a small business quickly is not only possible, it is also  doable—if you follow the right steps how to sell a business quickly.

Imagine this: You wake up one morning, decide you’re done running your business, and list it for sale. By the next week, a buyer appears, signs the deal, and hands you a check. Sounds nice, right? Now, let’s snap back to reality. Because selling a business takes time. So, if you’re wondering how to sell my business fast, what does it really take?

Thinking about selling your small business? Now might be the best time in years to make your move. Small business sales are booming.

The number of small business acquisitions has jumped 10% year-over-year, showing a strong market with active buyers. This has resulted in 2024 in small businesses selling for higher prices, in less time, and more owners than ever before being exit-ready.

Hiring the wrong broker can cost you thousands—maybe even millions. A bad broker could undervalue your business, waste your time with unqualified buyers, or—worst case—fail to sell your business at all. But a great broker? They maximize your business’s value, find serious buyers, and guide you through a seamless, stress-free exit.

You’ve built your dream business. Clients are flowing in, profits are steady, and everything’s running smoothly. But here’s the twist—you’re bored out of your mind. That boredom? It might just be the best indicator of your success and the foundation to grow your business.

Imagine this: You’ve just sold your business. The hustle, the sleepless nights, and the relentless drive have paid off. You’re financially free. No more worrying about payroll or chasing the next big deal. Yet, amidst this newfound success, you’re left asking yourself a question you never thought you’d face: What do I do now? Just like every exited entrepreneur, you are in need of good advice after selling a business.

Every year, we collect data on how exit-ready small business owners are.

The 2024 Exit Readiness Report by The Big Exit shows that small business owners are becoming more exit-ready, meaning their businesses are in better shape to sell.

"Should I sell my business quickly now or wait another year?" Many business owners ask themselves this question, especially at the start of a new year. They hope that waiting one more year will lead to bigger profits and a better sale price. But is waiting really a good idea?

If you’re a small business owner thinking about selling your business, you’ve probably wondered what is life changing money and what it really means for you. Is it a specific number? A lifestyle upgrade? The freedom to start your next venture? Defining what’s truly life-changing is not only a fun exercise. It’s also the key to selling your business on your terms and getting the financial results you deserve.

For small business owners, profit matters a lot. It's more than just numbers in your accounting books or extra spending money. Your business's profit directly affects how much your business is worth. Simply put: if you want to know how much you could sell your business for, you need to understand its profits. All business valuation methods for a small business will take into account it profits.