How to Sell a Business: 6-Step Process (2026)

Short answer: You sell a business in six steps: get a defensible valuation, de-risk the business, position it confidentially, run a controlled process, negotiate the LOI and survive diligence, then close with the right structure. WETYR runs this end to end and can also acquire you directly.

The 6 steps to selling your business

1. Get a defensible valuation

Know your normalized earnings and a real multiple range before you do anything else. A number you can defend in diligence, not a listing estimate.

2. Prepare and de-risk

Clean the books, document recurring revenue, and reduce how much the business depends on you personally. This is where multiple expansion is won.

3. Confidential positioning

Build the materials buyers actually underwrite, and go to market without your staff, customers, or competitors finding out.

4. Run a controlled process

Reach qualified strategic and financial buyers under NDA, or take a direct operator-buyer offer from WETYR. Keep it competitive.

5. LOI and diligence

Negotiate price and structure in the letter of intent, then survive confirmatory diligence with your numbers already proven.

6. Close and transition

Finalize the definitive agreement, structure for tax, and hand off cleanly. WETYR operates, so we plan the transition instead of stripping the business.

The two paths WETYR gives you

Most owners think selling means a broker and a long auction. WETYR gives you two cleaner options. The first is a direct sale to WETYR as an operator-buyer, which is faster, quieter, and led by people who run businesses. The second is a controlled competitive process where we take you to qualified buyers under NDA and let the market lift your price. You choose based on speed, price, and how much of a process you want to run.

What most owners get wrong

The three mistakes that cost owners the most: going to market before the business is ready, revealing themselves to a single buyer too early, and pricing off a rule of thumb instead of normalized earnings. Each one hands leverage to the buyer. The fix is preparation and a confidential, competitive process.

Frequently asked questions

How do I sell my business?

Get a real valuation, clean up your financials and reduce owner dependence, prepare confidential materials, run a controlled process to qualified buyers under NDA, negotiate the letter of intent, survive diligence, and close with the right legal and tax structure. WETYR runs all of it and can also buy you directly.

Can I sell my business myself?

You can, but you will usually leave money and confidentiality on the table. Owners who go it alone tend to signal to one buyer too early, price off a rule of thumb, and lose leverage in diligence. An advisor keeps the process competitive and confidential.

What is the first step to selling?

A private conversation and a real valuation, before anything is public. You should know your defensible number and your readiness gaps before you decide to go to market.

Related WETYR resources

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WETYR connects qualified principals under an advisory engagement. WETYR is not a registered broker-dealer or business broker.