Episode 16

If you’re wondering what every seller should know before selling a business, the answer might surprise you.

Many UK owners enter the exit process believing the two things that matter most are price and control. The highest cheque and the tightest grip. But again and again, those who have gone through it quietly confess: those instincts are misleading. In this episode of The Quiet Exit Podcast, Stephen McConachie explores what he wishes every seller knew at the start. That clarity matters more than control. And that cultural and strategic fit matter far more than headline figures.

Exiting your business is about more than transferring shares. It’s about protecting people, preserving culture, and making peace with what comes next.

Sellers who lack clarity often find themselves exhausted. They fight every clause. They second-guess every term. They chase an elusive “best price.” That illusion of control usually leads to broken trust, wasted time, and sometimes, regret.

Clarity changes everything. When you know your non-negotiables, your flex points, and your “bonus” wants, you free yourself from micromanaging. You filter buyers more quickly. And you give yourself strength in negotiation, not weakness.

The second truth is that fit matters more than figures. Buyers don’t just purchase numbers; they purchase stories, alignment, and trust. The wrong fit can turn the best price into the worst decision. The right fit allows you to step away with peace, knowing your legacy and team are safe.

In this 90-minute episode, Stephen shares stories of sellers who chose clarity and fit — and those who didn’t. He also offers a practical tool. The Clarity Compass helps owners build their own framework long before the first offer arrives.

Listen now, and discover why the best exits aren’t the loudest or the richest on paper. They’re the ones where sellers walk away clear, calm, and confident that what they built will endure.