Over the years, in working with scores of business owners to prepare their Exit Plan, I have encountered a common situation. I find that many of my clients feel guilty about selling their business. It is very common for a seller to feel that he or she is somehow either deceiving or shortchanging their employees by selling.
One such rationale is that you, as the owner and the seller, are going to walk away with a lot of money at the end of the process – and the employees will not share in this event. I always try to communicate a different perspective to my clients.
You are the one who has taken the big risk in starting this business; you are the one who has nurtured and grown the business; and you are the one who has committed most of your adult life to the business. So, reaping the proceeds from the sale of your business is a just reward for your investment.
That is the difference between being an entrepreneur and being an employee. The bigger the risk, the bigger the reward. Besides, there are countless entrepreneurs out there who have sunk their time and net worth into a business venture only to come out with nothing in the end. Whatever the set of circumstances that has allowed your business to grow and prosper, you do not need to feel guilty when your years of dedication and work finally pay off.
