Think you're ready to sell your business? Think again.

Selling your business is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make — second only to marriage and kids. But how do you know when you’re actually ready to sell?

In this episode of the Grown Up Business Podcast, Paul Avins speaks with Ken Gorman, Regional Director at Transworld M&A and author of three books on selling businesses, to uncover the reality behind preparing your company for a successful exit.

Together, they break down the myths, including why most business owners aren’t ready to sell, how accountants can unknowingly sabotage deals, and why 75% of businesses that go to market never sell at all. Ken shares his personal story from California to London and his 8+ years in sell-side M&A, with over 60 closed deals under his belt.

If you’re a CEO or founder thinking about exit planning or simply wanting to build a grown-up business worth buying, this episode is a must-listen.

Key Takeaways

• The “Switch in the Heart”: You’re ready to sell when the emotional shift happens — the moment you know it’s time to do something else in life.
• Profit is the #1 Value Driver: Buyers don’t buy passion, they buy predictable profits — and your job is to maximise and prove them.
• Get yourself out of the business: If the company can’t function without you, it isn’t ready to sell (or worth as much as you think).
• The truth about deferred deals & earnouts: Why the “wedding cake” model of deal structures (cash, deferred payments, earn-outs, rolled equity) matters, and how to protect yourself as a seller.
• Accountants can derail deals: Not through incompetence — but because they often lack deal experience, especially around working capital negotiations.
• 75% of sales fail: Selling is as much about EQ as IQ — success depends on managing people, egos, and expectations at every stage.
• Not all buyers are equal: You don’t want just a buyer, you need the right new owner who can fill the leadership void you leave behind.

About Ken Gorman

Ken Gorman is a seasoned M&A Advisor, Certified Business Valuer, and Regional Director at Transworld M&A, one of the world’s largest global dealmaking firms. With over three decades in business across the US, UK, and Europe, Ken has personally been involved in 100+ project teams and 60+ closed transactions.

He specialises in helping owner-operators prepare their businesses for sale, find the right new owners, and secure life-changing exit deals — all while keeping heart and human dynamics central to the process.

Resources & Links

• Grab Ken’s book “Selling Your Business” → Selling Your Business
• Connect with Ken Gorman on LinkedIn → linkedin.com
• Learn more about Transworld M&A → Transworld
• Follow Paul Avins for Scale Up insights on LinkedIn → Paul Avins | LinkedIn
• Transform your business at the Grown Up Business Retreat → The Grown Up Business Retreat 2025

Next Steps

Action Now: Write down the 3 actions from this episode you’ll apply in your business over the next 72 hours.

Think bigger: Thinking about selling in 2–3 years? Start now. Building enterprise value takes time — get your free resources at Paul Avins

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Level Up: Book a Call with Paul and Get ready to level up your business and transform your life!