Selling a small business is complicated, and unpredictable events and powerful emotions are almost always part of the equation. The Emotional Side of Selling a Small Business is an entrepreneurial fable that shines a light on these lesser-known aspects of selling - helping owners steel themselves for the challenge.

Alex is the worn-out founder of a small, successful managed IT services provider who decides it’s time to sell after being approached with a serious offer. But just as a deal seems on track - and he’s excited by dollar signs and the allure of freedom - a series of unforeseen challenges send him on a rollercoaster of emotion, ultimately threatening the sale.

The story may be fiction, but it's entirely "true". This fable is rooted in the experiences of the author and multiple colleagues and clients he's worked with during his entrepreneurial and business coaching careers. From experiencing the sudden motivation to sell and the guilt and worry over telling employees to the fear and indecision when due diligence uncovers surprises, you’ll read what can happen (and often does) during the sales process.

Many books and guides explain the mechanics of a sale, including how to value a business, prep it for buyers, and structure agreements. But few resources highlight the dramatic emotions that can kill a deal and the surprises that happen along the way. The Emotional Side of Selling a Small Business fills this gap.

The book also features six non-fiction case studies showing the challenges faced by other entrepreneurs who sold their businesses. Crucial topics include valuation processes, differing contract structures, the search to find and choose quality buyers, and the unforeseen hazards of succession planning. Then, there is the aftermath of a sale and how different individuals have coped with letting go of the businesses that dominated their lives.

Everyone who owns a business must exit it at some point, and they should steel themselves for the hidden challenges beyond contracts, valuation, and ROI. The Emotional Side of Selling a Small Business is a guide to expecting the unexpected - and not falling prey to powerful feelings that can derail a sale.