Finish Big: Why Some Exits Leave Owners Proud—And Others Don’t
Wed Jun 04 2025
How can business owners avoid post-sale regrets?
Bo Burlingham is a celebrated business writer known for his deep expertise in exit planning, a theme central to his influential book "Finish Big." With a career spanning over 30 years at Inc. Magazine, Burlingham gained profound insights into the entrepreneurial world, focusing on the lifecycle of building, growing, and ultimately selling businesses. He advocates for business owners to view their enterprise as a journey, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful preparation for its eventual conclusion to ensure a satisfying and fulfilling exit. Through extensive interviews with entrepreneurs, Burlingham discovered that many experienced regret after selling their businesses, despite financial success, due to inadequate exit planning, thus highlighting the need for strategic early-stage planning and creating companies that can thrive without their founders.
Key Takeaways
Exit planning is life planning and should be viewed as a journey, not just an event.
Proper preparation for a successful exit strategy is crucial to avoid post-sale regrets and unhappiness.
Establishing institutions within a company that can operate independently is key for a successful exit.
Early preparation and long-term planning are essential for a smooth transition when exiting a business.
Connect with Bo Burlingham:https://www.linkedin.com/in/bo-burlingham-50a583/https://www.amazon.com/Finish-Big-Great-Entrepreneurs-Companies/dp/1591844975
Connect with Jacob Koenig:
https://woodbridgegrp.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobkoenig/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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How can business owners avoid post-sale regrets? Bo Burlingham is a celebrated business writer known for his deep expertise in exit planning, a theme central to his influential book "Finish Big." With a career spanning over 30 years at Inc. Magazine, Burlingham gained profound insights into the entrepreneurial world, focusing on the lifecycle of building, growing, and ultimately selling businesses. He advocates for business owners to view their enterprise as a journey, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful preparation for its eventual conclusion to ensure a satisfying and fulfilling exit. Through extensive interviews with entrepreneurs, Burlingham discovered that many experienced regret after selling their businesses, despite financial success, due to inadequate exit planning, thus highlighting the need for strategic early-stage planning and creating companies that can thrive without their founders. Key Takeaways Exit planning is life planning and should be viewed as a journey, not just an event. Proper preparation for a successful exit strategy is crucial to avoid post-sale regrets and unhappiness. Establishing institutions within a company that can operate independently is key for a successful exit. Early preparation and long-term planning are essential for a smooth transition when exiting a business. Connect with Bo Burlingham:https://www.linkedin.com/in/bo-burlingham-50a583/https://www.amazon.com/Finish-Big-Great-Entrepreneurs-Companies/dp/1591844975 Connect with Jacob Koenig: https://woodbridgegrp.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobkoenig/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices