Learn This Before You Sell

August 05, 2025

A very wise colleague recently shared her thoughts about how to orient yourself to something new, as you’re managing a transition in your life or business. She believes this reorienting is the key to letting go of the ‘old’ stuff.

“I get that, and I’ve lived that!” I said. “I just didn’t realize that was what I was doing – reorienting.”

“Yes, every phase of our life requires a different mindset and skill set - a perspective shift” she shared.

I see women business owners get hurt and hustled. All. The. Time. I feel protective of my clients and colleagues.

So, I’m sharing tangibles for women to believe, find, prioritize, avoid, fix, keep secret, learn, lose, negotiate, and plan before you sell. This is the seventh of ten ‘Do This Before You Sell’ articles I’ve developed to help you navigate your business exit without all the pain…

Today’s Question:

Have you figured out how you will let go of the old beliefs and methods to reorient yourself to your ‘what’s next’?

Here’s the Twist . . .

When we think about ‘what’s next’ for our business and our life, it requires mastering a huge challenge - letting go.

I’ve long known that starting a business, building a business, and transitioning to exit each employs a different mindset and skill set. It’s a progressive evolution that allows the successful business owner to embrace a different relationship with uncertainty.

My wise colleague asked me to close my eyes and imagine I’m sitting in a wooden rowboat, far from shore.

She asked me what I saw: a beautiful beach with the waves breaking on the shore.

She asked me how I felt: peaceful and comfortable, looking forward to resting on the warm sand later. “Right, that’s what you know” she said.

“Now imagine you turn the boat in the opposite direction. What do you see and how do you feel?” she asked.

“Eek! Now I see endless ocean and big waves. I suddenly feel cold and scared.”

“Right, that’s the uncertainty we feel with a change in perspective” my wise friend answered. “Just like sitting in that boat, we feel small, adrift, and vulnerable.”

That’s where control comes in because we think it takes away the risk and uncertainty.

Control makes us feel better, especially when our behavior leads to great outcomes. And some control is good and necessary – you’re the boss.

Control can work to our advantage – until our behavior tips over to fear, anger, or frustration and we start grasping for anyone and anything to keep us emotionally afloat.

Letting go is an emotional journey with no real destination. Once you find the balance between what you can and cannot control, you’re on the path to reorienting yourself to something new.

So learn this before you sell: how to let go of your business and that slice of your identity tied to the business, and how you’re going to orient yourself to your ‘what’s next’.

Now What?

Are you stuck in your Second Act?

Have you built a profitable and valuable business but instead of feeling like there's something missing, you’re feeling like there's something more?

If you’ve built an accounting firm, a law firm, a financial services firm, a psychology practice, or a specialty consulting firm that is generating $1 million to $10 million in annual revenue, you are in a prime market.

Larger firms and companies are growing by buying other firms. This has long been the case, but we’re seeing a higher rate than ever.

In a tragic twist, I see too many women who actually lose their company instead of exiting on their own terms. The exit process is filled with pitfalls and complex issues – especially for women.

I’ve built my business as an advocate, and I specialize in helping women founders transition to their Third Act – when you’re ready to do the work you’ve always longed to do.

As your advocate, by definition, I’m looking out for your best interests. I am not taking a brokerage fee, commission, or equity. I am not motivated by how quickly the exit moves or the final dollar amounts. I want what you want – and will help you get it.

Are you ready to exit your business on your terms?

That requires a new way of thinking, new skills, a simple and elegant design, and an advocate by your side. Contact me to learn more.

How exit-ready are you? Find out at: http://she-exits.com/

The ‘Do This Before You Sell’ Series of Articles, by Patty Block

A Note from Patty...

My life’s work is empowering high-achieving women business owners to fine-tune their operations and scale their revenue for strategic growth, creating real business value and emerging exit ready. That value can transform into wealth when they are ready to exit their company - and I believe that wealth in the hands of women elevates society as a whole.