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, find the right buyers, agree the LOI and get through diligence, then close with the right structure. WETYR does not run sales for owners; it can introduce you to buyers who fit, free, or buy the business directly for its own account.

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. Find the right buyers

Reach qualified strategic and financial buyers under NDA, on your own or through your own broker or advisor. WETYR can introduce registry buyers who fit, free to owners, or make a direct offer for its own account.

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. When WETYR is the buyer, we operate the business, so we plan the transition instead of stripping it.

The two paths WETYR gives you

Most owners think selling means a broker and a long auction. WETYR offers two simpler options. The first is a direct sale to WETYR, buying for its own account as an operator, which is faster, quieter, and led by people who run businesses. The second is a buyer introduction: tell us about the business in confidence, we check it against the buy boxes of buyers in our registry, and with your OK we introduce the ones who fit, free to owners. You then deal directly with the buyer, with your own attorney, CPA and, if you want one, your own licensed broker or advisor.

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, find qualified buyers under NDA, agree the letter of intent, get through diligence, and close with the right legal and tax structure. WETYR can introduce you to registry buyers who fit, free to owners, or buy the business directly for its own account. You handle the sale itself with your own attorney, CPA and, if you want one, your own licensed broker or advisor.

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. With WETYR that starts with a confidential 30-minute call, and a mutual NDA is signed before any financials change hands.

Related WETYR resources

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WETYR introduces business owners and buyers and buys businesses for its own account. WETYR is not a registered broker-dealer, business broker, or M&A advisor, does not represent either party, and receives no fee tied to a sale closing.