A warning for ambitious owners  
 who want to exit soon with a 
 smile and a stuffed wallet 

If you’re thinking of selling your business for a large pot of gold and financial Shangri-La, then gird your loins, because I'm about to share something that's going to hurt more than a boot to your proverbial …

Between 70% and 80% of businesses never get to market because there’s nothing of value to sell.

Of those ever listed for sale, only 20% sell.

And of those who sell, only 5% get the money they want (and 75% bitterly regret selling their business a year later).

Putting that all together means 997 out of every 1,000 owners are deeply disappointed with their exit.

Take a moment, and imagine just how that feels...

Can you imagine their simmering frustration?

All those years wasted. The sweat, the sacrifices, the sleepless nights … all for nothing.

Can you feel it?

That sinking feeling, like a lead weight in your stomach, especially if you've already painted a future awash in financial success and personal triumph. A future of financial freedom for you and your family gone.

If you want to avoid their fate, read on to discover how to create the perfect exit strategy and maximise the value of your business.

But, before you start, be aware this is a long message. And, make no mistake, when you've finished reading, I'm going to ask you to arrange a call where you may be asked to invest a (modest) sum of money to work with me.

Because it's a long message, you may be tempted to skim ahead.

I strongly urge you not to do that.

Instead, I urge you to read and consider every word carefully. Not only will this mean your eventual decision is fully and properly informed, but what I share here is useful, educational, and beneficial in, and of, itself, even if you decide not to join me.

Still, if I know one thing... I know people are impatient.

So, if you've made your mind up before you get to the end, click one of the big purple buttons and you'll be carried effortlessly to the bottom where you can arrange a free chat with me.

Still with me?

Good.

Let's start by digging into why fewer than 3 in every 1,000 of owners (the "Elite 0.3%") enjoy a happy, lucrative and regret-free exit ...

Why your business will sell for less than you think it's worth 

Most owners naturally focus on sales growth, product quality, customer satisfaction, on cost reduction, and keeping things running smoothly.

While these are crucial for a robust business, they don't necessarily lead to a sale-ready business able to fetch a life-changing sum.

The real issue is most owners are unfamiliar with what truly adds value and marketability to a business.

They often believe selling their business is like the Field of Dreams: "I've built it, they will come."

They assume a profitable business is sufficient.

But loss-making businesses can sell for substantial amounts, while highly profitable ones may struggle to attract buyers and, when they do, often sell for only one- or two-years' worth of profits.

It's not your fault!

Unless you've been involved in buying and selling businesses, it's challenging to understand what creates value and saleability.

So, who can you turn to for guidance?

Your typical business consultant focuses on issues like lead generation, sales strategies, business systemisation, financial management, leadership, and more. But they lack insights into long-term value creation and the saleability of your business. Their advice may only cover a fraction of what's required, and sometimes, it may even harm your business's value.

Business brokers and corporate finance advisors understand what makes a business valuable and sellable, but they can't guide you through the process since they've never done it themselves. Also, their primary focus is on selling your business for their profit, not on helping you increase its value.

Most accountants are not well-versed in what creates value or saleability, and even if they were, it’s unlikely they’ll encourage you to explore them because selling your business means losing a client (as few buyers retain the seller's accountants).

Serial acquirers and private equity firms won’t share this knowledge because they profit from buying companies at a low price, enhancing their value and saleability, and then flipping them for a higher price.

My approach is distinct—I get my kicks from helping you grow your business's value and setting it up for a straightforward sale when you're ready.

I'll equip you with the tools, skills, and knowledge to ensure you get your perfect exit.

How is this different from everything else you've seen?

I’m sure you can tell me how much money you have in your business bank account. You can probably tell me what your profits were last month.

If you’re really switched on, you can tell me how much free cashflow you generated last month, and where it came from.

But, if you’re like most owners, I bet you can’t confidently answer the four most important questions about exiting:

1. What do you need for a happy, lucrative, regret-free exit?
2. Which exit option is going to be the “best-fit” for you?
3. How do those “best-fit buyers” perceive your business today?
4. What, exactly, do you need to do get your business ready for your perfect exit?

Answering those four questions informs and defines your Exit Strategy and Value Acceleration Roadmap so you can exit with a smile and a stuffed wallet, creating generational wealth, and giving you more control, freedom and choice in your life. 

Why Now?

It takes between three and eight years to complete the sale of your business. At least two of those years are focused on growing your business’s value and preparing it for sale.

So, if you want to exit soon, you need to start TODAY.

Perhaps you’re thinking "I can leave this for a few months or years"? Well, it’s a valid option, but you may be making the biggest mistake of your entrepreneurial life.

Here's why...

If you're like most owners, your business is your most substantial asset, probably representing more than 70% of your net worth.

Now, imagine if one of life's Dreaded Ds — disability, disease, death, or divorce — suddenly strikes you or a close family member, and you need to sell your business. What then?

If you can't easily unlock the value in your business, if you can't swiftly convert it into cash, have you genuinely secured wealth for yourself and your family?

If selling it isn't a straightforward option, you’re in a similar situation to the landed gentry of old – asset-rich but cash-poor. History shows how that played out for the aristocrats and grand estates.

To create true wealth, to safeguard your family’s future, to have freedom, control, and choices, you should start planning for your exit and enhancing the value and saleability of your business today.

The Exit Strategy Bootcamp is tailored to doing exactly that…

What is the Exit Strategy Bootcamp and how does it work?

Frankly, the Exit Strategy Bootcamp is the last word, chapter, and verse on how to increase the value of your business and make it easily sellable. 

It’s a thirteen-week guided programme including:

What’s in it for you?

During the Bootcamp we'll cover:

• Why you want someone to buy your business rather than you sell it
• How to leverage the 8 value drivers to double your company's value and increase your chances of an unsolicited offer by 33% (without increasing your profits)
• Discover the secrets of successful exits and how to apply them to your exit
• How to create time to focus on growing your company's value and preparing it for your exit
• How to maximise your take-home from the sale of your business
• How to use the little known Trifecta of Scaling approach to increase your company's value
• The 7 exit options (3 of which most owners never consider, and one of which is completely tax free) and their pros and cons
• Why the multiple of profit you're offered is misleading and perhaps the least important consideration for a happy, lucrative, and regret-free exit
• How to get the best price for your business even it's highly dependent on you (and without hiring lots of new people)
• How to avoid getting trapped and feel you must accept (part) payment in shares or options in the purchasing company
• How to craft an exit so you're delighted your business is entering its next phase
• How to identify your ideal 'buyers' and why they'd want to buy you
• How to avoid the long earn-outs and onerous warranties buyers will try to force on you
• How to solve your Exit Rubik's Cube for a happy, lucrative, and regret-free exit
• Discover how much your business is worth today (and what it could be worth by improving the value drivers)
• How to use the Rule of One to triple profits, double cash flow and increase value by up to 10 times
• How to keep your staff engaged during the exit process to protect your company's value
• Identify your hidden treasures and how to leverage them to get a better exit deal
• The cheap and sleazy tricks buyers use to buy low (so they can flip your business for a higher price)
• How to structure and position your business so buyers come knocking at your door
• How to protect your legacy and employees after you exit (if you want to)
• How long the typical exit process takes, and how you can shortcut it
• The 5-20 rule for identifying your ideal strategic buyer
• How to build a deep, wide competitive moat that increases your company's value, marketability, and saleability
• Why one business can be worth 5 times more than a similar sized business from the same sector
• How to avoid getting trapped post exit relying on monthly payments dependent on your company's performance while under someone else's control
• How to decide if it's better to sell your business, keep it or liquidate it
• Why companies buy businesses rather than build them, and how to leverage that knowledge to get a premium price and better terms
• The best time for you to exit your business (and it's not based on 'market-timing')
• Discover the critical skills and traits to develop to ensure your exit goes as well as it possibly can
• Identify the silent killers throttling your company's value and how to excise them from your business
• Identify the best organisation structure for your business and key people to hire/fire
• How to evaluate and choose the right exit option for you without comprising on your ideal exit
• How to make your exit a win for you, your family and your business (rather than feel like sacrificing your first-born)
• How to maximise cash in your pocket at point of sale
• How to de-risk your business and protect your wealth without leaving your business
• How to avoid the post-exit regrets suffered by 75% of sellers
• Why the price you're offered isn't the money you pocket the day you sell your business (it's not just about the tax treatment of selling)
• How buyers evaluate potential acquisitions, and what they consider to be deal killers
• Why increasing turnover doesn't always lead to higher company values (and why it can lead to buyers withdrawing their offer)
• Create a focused, tailored action plan to get your business ready for sale
• The little know secret serial acquirers use to increase your company's value by millions without lifting a finger or changing a thing in your business (and how you can leverage that to get a bigger payout)
• Options for incentivising key staff to keep them motivated throughout this process
• What happens to your team after your exit, and how to keep them engaged
• The difference between equity and enterprise value, and why it matters to what you take off the table

How do you know this is real?

In the last 8 years, I’ve helped more than 120 owners improve the value and sellability of their businesses.

Some have sold for life-changing amounts. Some have kept their businesses and added new ones to their portfolio. Some have simply created the space to enjoy life more.

Regardless of whether they exited or not, all have seen significant increase in their company’s value.

One client saw their company’s value grow from c£5m to £44m inside three years (it’s now worth over £100m). Another has seen a 10-fold value increase in the last seven years. One client exited after three years for a double-digit profit multiple plus a substantial share in the acquirer.

Take Lecky Design, a global leader in postural support aids. In 2016, I helped James set the stage for his lucrative exit in August 2020. Here’s what he said...

Why should you trust me?

Well, I could share my CV but we'd both be bored. So, let me try and break it down for you in a more meaningful way…

Back in the day, I was deep into the world of strategy consulting, and I got a real handle on things like figuring out what drives company value and making smart decisions to help them grow it. I even studied stuff like corporate finance, acquisition strategy and strategic decision making at Ashridge Management College.

During my strategy consulting days, amongst other things, I was advising big co’s like Orange on how to get a return on their £4bn investment in a 3G licence, helping Nescafe trim their product line and reposition their products to sell like, well, Starbucks coffee! And helping NatWest revive their banks in Germany and Greece and optimise their credit card pricing strategy.

During that time, I spent a couple of years as Head of Marketing & Strategy at NatWest's International Trade and Banking division, with turnover in the hundreds of millions of pounds. In just two years, we managed to crank up the profits from £124 million to £170 million, which added a sweet £440 million to the company's overall worth.

Then, in 2001, I took the reins as the Managing Director of a furniture company. During the early noughties we grew at an incredible 52% year on year, from £1.5m to £15m. Even after the 2008/09 financial crash hit us with a 33% sales decline, we managed to rebuild to £20 million by 2014. What's more, our employees were happier than a clam at high tide, with satisfaction levels through the roof.

As well as being down in the trenches, I’ve got the non-exec badges too. I've got a fancy distinction in Company Directorship, I'm a Chartered Director, and I used to be a Fellow of the Institute of Directors. I've even chaired three private companies, and I'm the Honorary Treasurer of Belfast Chamber of Trade – so I've got the helicopter view too.

So what, Richard?

You might tell me that all sounds great, but your business and your sector are different. Let me tell you this, having worked in over 30 different industries with more than 120 owners, I know the Exit Strategy and Value Maximisation principles I share work in every industry.

You've probably come across those textbook knowledge consultants spouting theory and the latest fad? Rest assured I'm not one of those. I've been in the trenches and in your shoes (during which I've made my fair share of mistakes and celebrated plenty of successes). My whole career has been about rolling up my sleeves and actually making businesses better, one of which could be yours.

So, when you hear me talk about the Exit Rubik’s Cube, Best-Fit Exit Strategy, the Value Acceleration Flywheel and the strategies I am asking you to plug into your business, you can trust they're not just theories – they're battle-tested in real businesses, including my own ventures (of which I’ve two on a path to sale right now).

So, if you want to exit in the next three to five years with a smile and a stuffed wallet, you can sleep soundly knowing I'll bring all my experience to the table to help you.

And that's what you'll find in my Exit Strategy Bootcamp

How can you get started?

If you want to increase the value of your business and make it easily sellable, you have three options…

You can continue to do what you’re doing now and hope it all works out ok. But the odds are massively stacked against you – remember fewer than 3 in every 1,000 owners have a happy and lucrative exit.

You can research what makes a business sellable and valuable and then apply those insights to your business. But you risk wasting time and money, making mistakes, and potentially ending up where you started, with a business no more valuable or sellable than it is today.

Or you could let me lend you a hand and show you the proven way to develop an Exit Strategy and Value Maximisation Roadmap that ensures your eventual farewell comes with a smile and a stuffed wallet

Look let’s face it you wouldn’t be here if you knew how to do this yourself.

Every day you don't have my help, is another day wasted.

It’s another day away from having the flourishing finish you want.

But I can't help you unless you take the first step.

I can lead you through the minefield, but you've got to reach out first by arranging a free chat with me.

What do you have to lose?

You quite literally have nothing to lose when you join us on the Exit Strategy Bootcamp because you’re protected by my unique, frankly outrageous, and definitely industry-leading “money-back plus free pizza guarantee”.

100% Money Back + Free Pizza Guarantee

Here’s it how it works: if you complete the bootcamp and we can’t create an action plan to increase the value of your business by at least 20 TIMES your investment, then I’ll give you your money back and have a fresh pizza delivered to your door (just my way of thanking you for at least trying the bootcamp).

But… this is a conditional guarantee. The Exit Strategy and Value Maximisation Roadmap won’t magically manifest like an episode of “The Secret”. You must put in the work to get the results.

So, my guarantee is predicated on you doing the work. Not because I want to make it difficult to claim, but because the people who do the work get the best results (strangely enough).

The conditions aren’t onerous, but I’m going to be strict, so you get the full benefits from the programme.

To claim your guarantee, you must have:

• Completed all the videos and exercises I give you in the programme
• Attended the weekly community calls
• Attended the 1-2-1s
• Written up your action plan

And that's it.

I’m being upfront about this even though I know making my guarantee conditional will put some people off. Look, I could do what the vast majority in my line of work do and hide the conditions of my guarantee in the small print, but it's not my style. So, like everything I do, it’s upfront, direct, and honest.

If the conditions put you off, then it’s better we stop right now. If you’re going to balk at keeping your word and doing the work, I don’t want you as a client.

Being accepted into the Exit Strategy Bootcamp is contingent on your promise to keep your side of the bargain. If you do that and we can’t create an action plan to increase the value of your business by at least 20 times your investment, then I have no qualms about honouring my guarantee on the spot.

But if you expect me to honour it if you’re playing around the edges and not acting, then you’re in dreamland.

So, over to you.

If you want my help crafting your Perfect Exit Strategy and Value Maximisation Road Map so you can exit with a smile and stuffed wallet, arrange your free chat now.

Your next step

Arranging your free chat with me is easy.

All you need do is pick a time below to talk to me.

This call is free.

Why?

Because it's to see if you're a fit for the Exit Strategy Bootcamp experience. It lasts 30 minutes and we’ll discuss where you’re at and what you’d like to achieve from your Exit.

It's not a "discovery call", and it's most definitely not a consultation where you get to pick my brain, and I get to tell you how to solve your problems for free to prove my competence and "give value".

And I'll make you a promise: I promise I won't try to sell you anything (unless you ask me to).

If you're a fit for the Exit Strategy Bootcamp, I may invite you to join; if you're not, I won't.

You should know, up-front, there will never be more than 12 people in your cohort, and places are given on a first-come, first-served basis.

By the way, if there are other people you need to consult before deciding whether to join us or not, then they must all be on the call, too.

Pick a convenient time below…

PS: Quite frankly, this is the last word, chapter, and verse on how to craft your Perfect Exit Strategy and develop a Value Maximisation action plan that allows you to exit in the next three years.

Are you read to join the Elite 0.3% who exit happy, wealthy, and regret-free?

Yes?

Then we should talk ... click below to arrange your free call.

PPS: Email me if you've any questions or can't get a time booked:
richard@aurelius-advisory.com