August 4, 2025
Selling your business is not just a transaction — it’s a transition. For mid-sized business owners in the U.S. and Canada, a successful business exit can unlock long-held dreams: retirement, reinvestment, legacy planning, or simply freedom. But too often, the process begins in chaos — with reactive decisions, missed opportunities, and costly surprises.
The good news? That chaos is avoidable. The key lies in pre-planning; laying the foundation well before you enter the market. With the right strategy, and a team of seasoned M&A, tax, legal, and wealth planning experts, you can move from confusion to control — and exit on your own terms.
Most business owners spend years building their company — yet only months or even weeks planning how to exit it. That’s a mistake, because without preparation you risk:
Essentially, pre-planning is all about maximizing your outcome. Whether you plan to sell in 6 months or 6 years, the best exits start early.
Taking time to plan strategically before you enter the market can make all the difference in achieving a smooth, profitable business exit. Start by following these 5 key pre-planning steps:
Before you talk numbers, you need to answer: What does a successful exit look like for me? For example, do you want:
What to do:
Top Tip: Woodbridge’s seasoned M&A specialists work hand-in-hand with wealth advisors via our parent company Mariner Wealth to ensure the deal structure meets every client’s personal financial goals.
Buyers don’t just pay for past performance — they invest in future potential. That means identifying and enhancing the things that drive enterprise value, like:
What to do:
Sloppy records, expired contracts, or pending lawsuits can derail a deal — or hand buyers leverage to negotiate down your price.
What to do:
Pro Tip: A seasoned M&A advisor can coordinate a “mock due diligence” to uncover and fix red flags early.
A strong exit requires a coordinated effort, so your team should include:
These professionals should work together, not in silos — which is why selecting an advisor who can orchestrate the full team is critical.
Pro Tip: Woodbridge works closely with tax advisors and legal practitioners to ensure clients have a full team of experts onboard, while integration with our parent company Mariner Wealth ensures wealth planning is considered every step of the way.
Not all exits look the same. Selling to private equity, a strategic buyer, your management team, or even passing the business to family each carries different implications.
What to do:
Pro Tip: The first offer isn’t always the best. Pre-planning allows time to build competitive tension and negotiate from strength.
Working with an experienced M&A advisor early in your journey pays off in several ways:
Remember, it’s not about rushing to market — it’s about preparing the right way, so when the time is right, you’re ready to act with confidence.
If you’re a mid-sized business owner in North America thinking about selling in the next 6–36 months, the time to start planning is today. So don’t wait for the right time to sell; create it — with a plan. Your future self — and your bottom line — will thank you.
Need help building your exit strategy? Woodbridge’s team of professionals helps mid-sized business owners navigate the road to sale with confidence, clarity, and results. Book your free consultation today.
Woodbridge, A Mariner Company is now simply Mariner.
Brand Update: Last year, Woodbridge joined the Mariner family, combining our M&A Experience with Mariner’s comprehensive wealth, estate, and tax advisory services. As the final step in this integration, we are transitioning our name from Woodbridge, A Mariner Company to simply Mariner. You’ll continue working with the same team you know and trust, with the same commitment to your success — now under one unified brand.