August 11, 2025
After years — sometimes decades — of building a successful mid-sized business, the thought of handing over the reins can feel like losing control. But selling your business doesn’t have to mean surrendering control; that is if you approach the process with clarity, preparation, and the right guidance.
With well-defined goals and a trusted M&A specialist by your side, you can lead the sale — not just react to it.
The biggest mistake sellers make? Jumping into the market without knowing exactly what they want from the sale.
Too often, owners are reactive — fielding unsolicited offers, letting buyers set the agenda, or agreeing to terms that don’t align with their long-term plans. That’s when things start to feel out of control.
To avoid this, you need to set clear exit goals that will guide the process. Start by asking:
Remember: the clearer your exit goals, the more power you will hold throughout the deal process.
Once your goals are defined, you need a structured plan to get there — not a one-size-fits-all sales process.
That’s where a seasoned M&A advisor becomes critical. With the right advisor, you can:
A seasoned M&A expertlike Woodbridge will tailor how they position your business for sale, whom they market it and how they structure the deal based on your answers to the above, so it’s critical that you’re clear on these goals in order to retain control over the sales process.
Too many business owners assume they must take the first offer that comes. But a well-run sale process puts you in the driver’s seat.
With a proactive strategy, you can:
A great M&A advisor runs a disciplined process that keeps buyers on your timeline — not the other way around. For example, Woodbridge operates on an auction-led bid process, ensuring your business is showcased to a vast pool of qualified buyers worldwide. This process ensures you get More Buyers, More Bids, Higher Price and Better Fit.
Buyers — especially private equity firms or sophisticated strategic acquirers — will dig deep into your business. If you’re unprepared, you’ll be forced into reactive mode, constantly answering questions, fixing issues, and making concessions just to keep the deal alive.
Ultimately, preparation preserves control. As such, the key areas to lock down are:
Remember, control isn’t just about attitude — it’s about preparation; stay prepared to stay in the driver’s seat!
Selling a business is complex, and going solo is one of the fastest ways to lose control of the outcome.
The right team includes:
These experts don’t just support you — they empower you to make informed, confident decisions from start to finish. And, ideally, these experts should be working in total unison, as Woodbridge (a seasoned M&A firm) does in partnership with its parent company Mariner Wealth.
In Woodbridge’s 30-plus years of experience selling businesses in the U.S. and Canada mid-market, we’ve seen first-hand, time and again, the pitfalls of lack of preparation. Here’s how it usually goes:
These aren’t rare exceptions; they’re common pitfalls — but they’re also completely avoidable with the right guidance.
If you’re thinking of selling your business within the next 6–36 months, here’s what you can do right now to retain control:
Selling your company doesn’t mean giving up control — it’s your opportunity to take control of your next chapter. With well-defined goals and the right deal team in place, you can structure a sale that works for you, not just for the buyer.
Start with a plan. Stay aligned with your goals. And surround yourself with advisors who understand what’s at stake — and how to get you there.
Thinking about selling your business? Our team of M&A experts help mid-sized business owners in the U.S. and Canada sell with confidence, clarity, and control — from day one to closing day. Let’s talk – book your free consultation today (for companies with $5M-plus annual revenue).