I’ll be real with you—asking “What’s my business worth?” hits a little different when it’s your business on the chopping block. It’s not like pricing a used truck or flipping a pair of Jordans on eBay. Nah, this is the thing you built, sweated over, probably lost sleep (and maybe a relationship or two) for. So when I started wondering what mine might go for… let’s just say I went down a rabbit hole.

And friend, it was deeper than I thought. 🕳️🐇

The Moment It Hit Me: “Wait… Can I Actually Sell This?”

Okay, full disclosure: I didn’t wake up one morning with this genius exit plan.

It started on a random Tuesday. I was knee-deep in invoicing hell, sipping cold coffee that used to be hot about three hours ago. Then this email lands in my inbox—a broker offering to “help me transition to the next chapter.” It sounded dramatic, but it sparked something.

I sat back, looked around my little office (a converted corner of the garage, mind you), and thought, “Dang… this thing might actually be worth something.”

But how much? That was the million-dollar (hopefully literally) question.

Figuring Out the Price Tag on My Blood, Sweat, and Tears

So, I did what any over-caffeinated business owner would do—I Googled it.
“How much is my business worth?”

And let me tell you, the answers were all over the place. Some sites spit out cookie-cutter formulas, like:

Business value = 2 to 3 times your net profit.

Yeah, okay… but which net profit? After taxes? Before my accountant pulled that wizardry on the expenses?

Then others started talking about “multiples of EBITDA” and “seller’s discretionary earnings.” My head started spinning like I’d just taken a rollercoaster ride after eating gas station sushi.

What I really wanted was someone to say, “Here’s what it’s worth. Boom.”
But that’s not how it works.

The Big Variables I Didn’t Expect

Once I calmed down and started actually digging in (with some help from a no-nonsense broker I trusted), here’s what I learned:

• It’s not just about revenue. You could be bringing in $500K a year and still be unsellable if your systems are a mess.

• Profitability matters… a lot. Buyers want to see clean financials and real, repeatable profits. Fluctuating income? Red flag.

• You, the owner, might be the problem. Oof, this one stung. If the whole business falls apart when you’re gone, buyers walk. Period.

• Industry trends can boost or tank your value. I was lucky—my niche was growing. If you’re in a declining space, buckle up.

And here’s the kicker…

Your emotional attachment ≠ real market value.

I thought my biz was worth more than it actually was, just because I felt like it should be. Spoiler: buyers don’t pay for your nostalgia.

Getting a Professional Valuation Was a Game-Changer

Eventually, I ponied up and got a real valuation done. Not one of those sketchy online calculators, either—I mean a legit one from someone who actually took the time to understand my business.

They walked through my books, interviewed me, looked at customer contracts, retention rates, vendor relationships… even asked about the tech stack I was using. It felt invasive at first, but looking back, it made total sense.

Turns out, my business was worth somewhere between $430,000 and $515,000 depending on how I structured the deal.

I was shocked. And honestly? A little proud.

Would I Have Paid That Much for My Own Business?

Let me ask you something I had to ask myself:
If I were the buyer, knowing everything I know now… would I actually pay what I think it’s worth?

That’s where the rubber meets the road.

Understanding your value from the other side of the table changes your perspective. I started seeing all the gaps I’d ignored—places I could tighten up processes, document operations, boost recurring revenue.

Even if I didn’t sell right away, that intel was gold.

So… What’s YOUR Business Worth?

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably been heads-down building this thing and haven’t looked up in years. But whether you’re looking to sell now, next year, or “maybe someday,” here’s my honest advice:

✅ Clean up your books. No more mystery charges or “creative” accounting.
✅ Get out of the day-to-day. Build systems. Delegate. Make yourself optional.
✅ Talk to someone who knows. Don’t just guess—get a valuation from someone legit.
✅ Detach a little. You love your business, but the market’s only gonna pay for what it’s worth, not what it meant to you.

Final Thoughts (From a Guy Who’s Been There)

I used to think selling my business would feel like giving away my baby.
Turns out, it’s more like sending your kid off to college—you want them to thrive, but they need to do it without you holding their hand.

Knowing what your business is worth isn’t just about a number on a check. It’s about seeing your work through fresh eyes, getting clear on what’s working, and where you can level up—even if you’re not ready to sell just yet.

And if you are ready?

Let’s just say, I hope you get the payday you actually deserve… not just the one you dream about.

Key Takeaways

• Business value is based on profit, not just revenue.

• Systems, staff, and scalability impact what buyers will pay.

• Emotional attachment doesn’t equal market value.

• A professional valuation is worth the time and money.

• Prepping your business to sell makes it stronger—even if you don’t sell.

Thinking about selling?
Start by asking yourself the hard questions… and maybe cleaning up that messy spreadsheet you’ve been avoiding since 2021. 😉

You got this.