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7 Costly Mistakes Owners Make When Selling Their Business

A successful business sale depends on strong footing. These seven common mistakes show where owners slip — and how preparation helps you stay, in control and heading in the right direction.

7 Costly Mistakes Owners Make When Selling Their Business

Date posted: 18 November, 2025 By Matt Liddle

I understand this may feel daunting as it is unfamiliar to you. To give you a sense of why the above matters, below is a short list of 7 of the most common mistakes I see when owners sell.

  1. Jumping into a valuation too early, before the numbers are buyer ready.

  2. Not demonstrating what truly drives the businesses value including contracts, recurring work, strong margins, market position.

  3. Missing opportunities for tax planning and not understanding what their after-tax money in the bank will look like.

  4. Underestimating working cash, receivables, stock, payables is required to keep the business running, reducing the sale price.

  5. Letting emotion lead to rushed or one sided terms.

  6. Over relying on brokers without understanding their personal goals and drivers for the sale.

  7. Not having a dedicated trusted advisor to protect their interests at each stage.

Being aware and addressing the above early means you can avoid these mistakes, and it is more likely that the sale will deliver the financial and personal outcomes you had when you decided to sell the business.