Axiom Podcast - Axiom Strategic Consulting

Before You Talk to Buyers — Episode 175 (Part 1 of 3)Business exits rarely fail because of bad numbers alone. More often, they fall apart because owners move forward without clarity.In this episode, Joey Brannon and Cameron Earhart discuss why business owners must slow down before engaging buyers—and what happens when they don’t. With private equity interest at an all-time high, many owners are hearing big numbers early, but without understanding the risks, timelines, and options behind them.This conversation covers:Why most businesses that go to market never closeWhat business owners usually mean when they say, “I’m ready to sell”The difference between strategic buyers and financial buyersWhy risk—not revenue—drives valuationHow owner dependency impacts deal structure and priceRealistic timelines for preparing, marketing, and closing a businessWhy exit planning improves the business even if you never sellJoey and Cameron also challenge a common mindset: focusing on when you want to sell instead of what outco