Which Exit Track Are You On?

Let’s cut to the chase.

Every business owner will exit one day—whether by choice or by circumstance. The real question is: will it be on your terms, or someone else’s? Which exit track are you on?

At VEXUS, we’ve advised hundreds of business owners. Whether they’re retiring, burned out, ready to de-risk, or looking to build something new, one thing remains consistent: The business exit is inevitable. And most aren’t ready when it comes.

The Cost of Being Unprepared

While every business owner knows the day will come, few prepare properly. Some rush the process. Others delay indefinitely. Both lose value, control, and peace of mind. Let’s explore the three most common paths we see—and which one actually works.

The Fast Track: Speed Without Preparation

If you’re racing toward an exit without doing the groundwork, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. There’s no such thing as a fast, high-value business sale without preparation. Go to market too soon and:

• You’ll lack clarity on business value

• You’ll struggle to answer buyer questions

• You’ll invite lower offers and more deal friction

Speed without planning creates chaos—and chaos is expensive.

The Slow Track: Drifting Into Missed Opportunity

Then there are the slow-trackers. The “maybe next year” crowd. “We might sell.”“We’re just testing the waters.”“We’re not in a rush.” They dabble. They delay. They drift.

But here’s the problem: drifting isn’t a strategy. It kills momentum, and momentum matters. Once you decide to exit, hesitation costs:

• Time kills deals

• Time kills buyer interest

• Time kills value

Deals need direction. Without it, even great businesses stagnate in the market.

The Right Track: Clarity, Control, and Commitment

The right track isn’t about rushing. It’s about being ready—properly ready. That means taking control of the process and planning with purpose:

• Knowing what drives your business’s value

• Understanding who your potential acquirers are

• Fixing operational weak spots before going to market

Here are the questions you should be asking:

• Can your team run the business without you?

• Are your financials clean, credible, and up to date?

• Is there buyer appetite in your sector?

• Are you mentally and emotionally ready to let go?

If the answer is no to any of these, it’s time to prepare—not to list.

Selling a Business Takes Time—Plan for It

Even with a strong business, great timing, and the right adviser, a sale typically takes 6 to 18 months from start to finish. Yes, some deals complete quicker. But relying on speed is risky. Hope is not a strategy. Proper preparation leads to proper deals—on proper terms.

Get on the Right Track

If you’re serious about selling your business in the next 1–3 years, the smartest thing you can do is start preparing now.

At VEXUS, we help business owners like you take control of their exit journey—quietly, confidentially, and strategically. We don’t do pressure. We do proper advice.

Want clarity on your exit options? Reach out for a confidential conversation.

Because when the day comes—make sure it’s on your terms.