Unlocking Business Value: Exit Planning Tips for SMB Owners | Terry Chevalier | Ep. 105

🔎 Reason for the Appointment Unlocking Business Value: Exit Planning for SMB OwnersWith Terry Chevalier, Chief Value Architect at Mastery Partners – Episode 105 🎯 Top Takeaway “If your business can’t run without you, it’s not ready to sell.” What’s your business really worth — and would a buyer see it the same way? Terry Chevalier shares how small business owners can turn their company into a transferable, sellable, and more profitable asset. This episode reveals what makes a business attractive to buyers (and what makes them run the other way). Expect a candid conversation about owner dependency, financial blind spots, and how to build value today — even if you never plan to sell. 👤 Guest Bio Terry Chevalier, Chief Value Architect at Mastery PartnersTerry has spent decades helping entrepreneurs and business owners build more valuable and scalable companies. At Mastery Partners, he works alongside business leaders to create structured roadmaps for increasing business value, preparing for sale, or simply operating with more clarity and confidence. His superpower? 📊 Vitals • Only 17% of business owners ever successfully exit their companies — a wake-up call for any founder who’s counting on their business to fund retirement. • Owner dependency is one of the top reasons businesses fail to sell. • Buyers are looking for transferable processes, recurring revenue, and teams that operate independently. 📝 Medical History This episode helps SMB leaders see their business through a buyer’s lens. From valuation myths to actionable metrics, Terry explains how to build value whether you’re 5 months or 5 years away from selling. 🩺 Exam • 00:00 – Why business value matters before you sell • 06:30 – What industry trends reveal about buyer behavior • 09:22 – The hidden cost of owner dependency • 15:41 – What is the “17% problem” and how do you beat it? • 19:55 – Identifying what drives value in your business • 27:42 – Common pitfalls when selling a small business • 32:55 – Preparing for a realistic business valuation • 37:40 – Strategic buyers vs. financial buyers • 40:02 – How technology can raise (or reduce) your valuation • 43:48 – Cybersecurity’s role in due diligence • 52:28 – Assembling your A-team of advisors • 55:31 – Marketing the business to the right buyers • 57:11 – Final advice: Start exit planning now 💊 Treatment Plan • Mastery Partners Website: https://www.masterypartners.com • Valuation Readiness Assessment Tool (via Terry – check episode mentions) 📬 Guest CTA Terry encourages listeners to start now, even if selling isn’t on the calendar. Reach out for a free Value Builder consultation at: 📧[e-mail]🔗https://www.masterypartners.com🔗LinkedIn: Terry Chevalier 🎧 Podcast CTA 👉Subscribe on your favorite platform👉Like, comment, and share this episode👉Ready to plan your IT future with confidence? Schedule a consultation at: 🔗https://www.fulcrumgroup.net/talk-to-th3-doc-podcast/ 📚 Glossary • Owner Dependency – When the owner is required for daily operations, making the business harder to sell. • Valuation Readiness – A business’s preparedness to attract high-value offers from buyers. • Transferable Asset – An asset or business system that can continue operating without the original owner. 🔍 Keywords and Hashtags #BusinessValuation #ExitPlanning #SMBLeadership #TransferableBusiness #OwnerDependency #SuccessionPlanning #SellYourBusiness #MergersAndAcquisitions #FinancialPlanning #MasteryPartners #TerryChevalier #TalkToTh3Doc #FulcrumGroup #SmallBusinessGrowth #BuildToSell #BusinessStrategy #RecurringRevenue #CybersecurityDueDiligence #StrategicBuyer #BusinessOwnerTips 🎧 Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeartRadio | PocketCasts | Amazon Music 🌐 Explore More: Talk To Th3 Doc Podcast | The Fulcrum Group, Inc. 📩 Email Steve: [e-mail]