Be Sellable: How to Attract Your Ideal Buyer Before You’re Ready - Lorraine McGregor

What if your business could attract the right buyer before you're even ready to sell? In this episode, exit strategist Lorraine McGregor reveals why only 1–2% of businesses ever sell and how to ensure yours is one of them. She breaks down the hidden reasons exits fail, the mindset shifts founders must make, and what buyers are looking for. If you think buyers will show up when you're ready, think again. This is a must-listen for any founder considering exit, even years in advance. [00:00 – 07:00] The Harsh Truth About Business Exits Why most small businesses never sell M&A myths: Buyers don’t show up when you’re ready, they buy when it suits them How Lorraine discovered the “black box” language of M&A [07:00 – 16:00] Why Buyers Walk Away Internal chaos kills deals: unresolved partner conflicts and weak management teams The real reason exit planners and M&A brokers won’t take you on as a client What does it mean to “become the business your buyer is looking for”  [16:00 – 27:00] Understanding the Mind of the Buyer The four kinds of buyers, and how each one evaluates your business Why "earning your price" is better than demanding your price Funded searchers vs. zero-money-down acquirers: the opportunity and the risk [27:00 – 38:00] From Projections to Proof Why trailing financials alone aren't enough The myth of the magical pro forma: how real buyers view projections Creating certainty in your operations to justify a higher valuation [38:00 – 45:00] The Exit Starts with Mindset The biggest mistake: building a business with no clear end in mind How to build a company that outlasts you Why being "sellable" means building value for both you and the buyer Key Quotes: “Buyers don’t buy your past, they buy your future. And they need certainty about that future.” — Lorraine McGregor “Be sellable, all the time. That’s the best thing you can do for your legacy.” — Lorraine McGregor Connect with Lorraine! Website: https://www.spiritwest.com LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorrainemcgregor Ready for your next chapter? Start Your Assessment Now 👉 https://theexitparadox.com/assessment Leave a Review + Help Others Achieve a Great Legacy If you found this episode valuable, leave us a review and share it with someone who wants to expand their business growth. Your Next is more than a podcast—it’s a community that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds and ages, united by a shared passion for personal growth and excellence.  🎧 Explore our previous episodes or learn more about our mission at https://exittoexcellence.com. Your next chapter starts here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices