Building a business is an incredible feat, but successfully exiting that business and turning it into a true family legacy is a completely different challenge.
Many entrepreneurs find themselves "self-employed" rather than owning a sellable asset—if you can’t take a three-week vacation without the wheels falling off, do you really own a business, or does the business own you?
In this episode, Corwyn J. Melette sits down with Cameron Bishop, Managing Director and Partner at Rain Catcher, to discuss how to navigate the technical and emotional rollercoaster of selling a business. With over 35 years of experience and a half-billion dollars in transactions, Cameron reveals the common pitfalls that make companies unsellable and how you can start strategizing for your "personal promised land" today.
Key Takeaways:
7:56 - The Lifestyle Business Trap: Understanding the difference between a "lifestyle business" (where you are the business) and a sellable asset.
10:12- The "Bus Test": A simple diagnostic to see if your business is ready for exit: If you were hit by a bus tomorrow, would the business survive?
12:08- The Silver Tsunami: Why the baby boomer generation is facing a unique challenge with succession planning as fewer children choose to take over family firms.
14:13- The "Dr. Phil" Side of M&A: Why selling a business takes 9–10 months and involves as much emotional navigation as it does financial negotiation.
15:54- The 5 Critical Deal Killers:
Poor accounting (Cash vs. Accrual/GAP).
Owner dependency.
Customer concentration (The 20% rule).
Vendor dependency.
Below-average gross profit margins.
24:00- Creative Exit Structures: Why a "full cash payout" is rare and how seller notes, SBA loans, and earn-outs work.
Legacy Moment Takeaway:
“A well-planned exit isn’t just a transaction—it’s your opportunity to turn years of hard work into a lasting legacy for your family and future generations.”- Cameron Bishop
Connect with Cameron:
Connect with Corwyn:
Contact Number: 843-619-3005
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exitstrategiesradioshow/
FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/exitstrategiessc/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxoSuynJd5c4qQ_eDXLJaZA
Website: https://www.exitstrategiesradioshow.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmelette/
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