Recently, I had a conversation with a longtime restaurant owner—we’ll call her Nancy—who’s facing a dilemma familiar to many small business owners. After years of running her own restaurant, she’s ready for a change. She dreams of stepping away, but she isn’t quite sure what she wants to do next. It’s a story I’ve heard before, but every time, it hits hard.

Nancy is a hardworking entrepreneur who’s poured everything into her business. Yet, as the demands pile up, she’s finding it harder to keep up. She’s operating the restaurant nearly every day, struggling to find reliable staff, and battling the kind of exhaustion that only comes from decades of dedication. The issue? She’s not ready to sell—at least, not in her mind.

The Pitfalls of Waiting Too Long

For Nancy, several factors hold her back. She’s got a tenant next door who might want to buy the property, and he probably has a first right of refusal. There’s also another potential buyer who showed interest some time ago, and, most importantly, she wants to talk to her son before making any big moves.

But here’s the problem: by waiting and trying to decide, Nancy is inadvertently putting her business at risk. As her energy wanes, so does her ability to maintain the high standards her customers expect. And when performance starts to dip, it can significantly impact the business’s value. That’s the irony many owners face—by holding on a little too long, they could be damaging the asset they worked so hard to build.

Why Starting the Selling Process Now Can Make All the Difference

This isn’t about rushing Nancy or any other business owner into selling before they’re ready. Instead, it’s about acknowledging the reality that fatigue and declining performance are real risks. Starting the selling process early offers a solution that many overlook—it provides flexibility and allows you to plan for various scenarios.

At Unbroker, we’ve seen that a gradual transition can be the best path for business owners in Nancy’s shoes. If she starts the process now, she can explore potential buyers while respecting the concerns she’s dealing with, such as the tenant’s potential right of first refusal and her son’s perspective. Engaging a service that respects these sensitivities can help her feel in control without the burden of daily operations draining her.

Practical Steps for Business Owners Unsure About Selling

For those reading this and identifying with Nancy’s story, here are some practical steps to consider:

• Begin with a Valuation: Knowing the value of your business in its current state can be enlightening. It can also help you understand what’s at stake if performance starts to decline.
• Create a Contingency Plan: Even if you’re not ready to sell today, having a plan in place can give you peace of mind. Consider what would happen if the right buyer came along tomorrow—how would you respond?
• Talk to Family and Stakeholders Early: If, like Nancy, you have family members or partners who should be involved in the decision, start the conversation now. This gives everyone time to weigh in without the pressure of an immediate sale.
• Consider a Professional Guide: A service like Unbroker can help you navigate the complexities without rushing you. From managing interested parties to providing advice on handling first-right-of-refusal scenarios, having a guide can simplify the process and protect your interests.

The Bottom Line: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

Nancy’s story isn’t uncommon, but it is preventable. Selling a business doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing decision made under stress or exhaustion. Starting early gives you options and allows you to control the pace while still prioritizing the best possible outcome.

If you’re a business owner thinking about retirement or stepping back, consider the impact of waiting. Starting the conversation now, getting a valuation, and exploring your options can make the difference between a well-timed, profitable sale and a rushed decision driven by burnout. At Unbroker, we’re here to help business owners like Nancy make that transition smoothly, respectfully, and on their terms.