Proving Your Business Can Outlive You

When it comes time to sell, buyers don’t just want numbers—they want confidence your company will continue performing after you’re gone. If the business seems too dependent on the founder, it raises risk and lowers value.

In this video, Kirk Michie breaks down how to demonstrate leadership continuity, empower your team, and make sure buyers see your business as sustainable without you at the helm.

Watch the video below to learn how to strengthen your exit story.

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One of the biggest challenges in business exit planning is proving that the company can operate—and thrive—without the founder. Buyers worry about “founder dependency,” where too much of the company’s success relies on a single individual. In this video, M&A advisor Kirk Michie explains how to address that concern head-on.

He covers practical strategies such as developing successors, building a capable management team, and ensuring key functions like operations, finance, sales, and HR are not reliant on the founder. Kirk also shares why having your leadership team participate in buyer meetings can significantly increase buyer confidence.

For founders preparing to sell, this advice is critical. A business that can clearly outlive its owner is not only less risky to acquire but also more likely to secure stronger valuation and favorable terms at closing.