The Seller’s Journey
What the Process Actually Looks Like, Start to Finish For a Seller
Step 1 — Getting to Know Your Business
Every engagement starts with a conversation. The goal is to understand what you’ve built, how it runs, and what you’re trying to accomplish with a sale.
- A collaborative meeting to learn the business — the story, the operations, and what makes it work
- A thorough review of financials, operations, and where the business stands in the market
- An open discussion around timeline, valuation expectations, and confidentiality requirements
- A formal business valuation completed — a realistic, defensible number based on actual data
What you walk away with: A signed engagement agreement and a valuation report you can actually use.
Step 2 — Getting the Business Ready
Most businesses aren’t ready to go to market the day the owner decides to sell. This step closes that gap.
- An honest assessment of strengths, weaknesses, and what might give a buyer pause
- A professional Confidential Information Memorandum (CIM) that tells your business’s story without exposing sensitive details
- An asking price finalized based on the valuation and what the current market will support
- A target buyer profile developed along with a clear plan to reach them
What you walk away with: A market-ready package that positions the business at its best.
Got Questions??
Contact Ben Shaw with Murphy Business Sales of Wilmington
Step 3 — Finding the Right Buyer
Marketing a business for sale is nothing like selling a house. The wrong exposure can do real damage. Confidentiality drives every decision here.
- The business is marketed through targeted channels — listing platforms, an established buyer network, and direct outreach where appropriate
- Every prospect signs an NDA before they see anything meaningful about your business
- Buyers are screened for financial capability, relevant experience, and realistic fit
- Qualified buyers receive the CIM and get the chance to ask questions — through the broker, not directly to you
What you walk away with: A shortlist of serious, vetted buyers ready for a real conversation.
Step 4 — Negotiating the Deal
Receiving an offer is exciting. It’s also when sellers need the most support. The headline number is only part of the story.
- Every offer gets walked through in detail — purchase price, payment structure, contingencies, and what the terms actually mean
- Counteroffers are handled professionally and with the seller’s priorities front and center
- Negotiations stay productive and focused — firm on what matters, flexible where it makes sense
- Once both parties are aligned, the process moves into due diligence
What you walk away with: A signed Offer to Purchase Agreement.
Step 5 — Due Diligence and Closing Prep
Due diligence is the part of the process most sellers underestimate. The buyer is going to look at everything — financials, contracts, operations, legal standing. That’s normal. The goal is to keep it organized and keep it moving.
- Document requests and responses are coordinated so the seller isn’t drowning in back-and-forth
- Attorneys, accountants, and lenders are looped in to resolve questions before they become deal-killers
- A closing checklist is built covering every required approval, agreement, and transfer
- The closing packet is prepared and reviewed so there are no surprises at the finish line
What you walk away with: A clean closing package, reviewed and ready to sign.
Step 6 — Closing and What Comes Next
Closing day is the finish line for the seller — and the starting line for the buyer. Both matter.
- Final documents are executed and funds are properly transferred
- Assets, contracts, and ownership are transitioned cleanly and completely
- Introductions are coordinated with key employees, customers, and vendors
- A post-sale transition plan is worked through so the buyer has what they need to succeed from day one
A smooth handoff protects the value you just sold. It also protects your reputation.
What you walk away with: A completed sale — and the next chapter starts on solid ground.
Thinking about selling?
Schedule a confidential, no-obligation call to talk through your situation with someone who has been through it before.
How To Sell a Business in 12 Minutes
