Two friends each buy a property to renovate and flip within a year.
The first hires an architect and interior designer. Together, they map out the kind of buyer they’re targeting, design the home accordingly, and work to a clear plan and budget.
Sure, there are a few tweaks along the way — but mostly, they stick to the blueprint.
The second decides to “wing it.” They work room by room, changing direction as they go, until eventually a style starts to take shape.
There are false starts, wasted time, and a house that looks like it was built in phases — because it was.
At the end of the year, which property do you think sells faster — and for more money?
Of course, it’s the one developed with foresight and discipline.
Building a business is no different.
Many owners grow their company reactively — adding services, shifting focus, hiring staff when needed.
It’s natural, and you might even love the business you’ve built this way, along with the lifestyle and challenge that come with it.
But… if you want to sell one day — or pass it on — you’ll need more than a business that “just evolved.” Buyers look for very specific markers of value, such as:
- Several years of clear, reliable accounts
- Consistent profitability
- A capable team that can run the business without you
- Defensible advantages in the market
- Strong systems and processes that make growth repeatable
Without these, you’ll either struggle to sell — or you’ll receive far less than you expect.
And here’s the kicker: these things take years to build. They can’t be bolted on six months before you retire.
Just like the first homeowner, you need a vision of what your “finished” business looks like — and a practical plan to get there.
That’s the blueprint that will protect your financial future.
So let me ask you: What’s your end game?
What will your business look like when it’s truly “done”?
At Insight Associates, we help our clients answer that question — and then put the financial and strategic pieces in place to make it happen. Exit planning is an essential part of responsible financial management, which is what we’re about.
And we make sure that the business you’re building is aligned with your personal aims (for example, retirement or selling), because the two are closely related.
If you’d like to start mapping your exit plan, simply email garry@insightassociates.co.uk — or call us on 01279 647 447. We’ll arrange for you to speak directly to me or to one of our specialists, in a no-obligation consultation.
Warmly,
Garry
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