Why 20% of Small Business Owners Close Instead of Sell | Mike Ehrle

In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Casey Minshew and Ben Suttles sit down with Mike Ehrle, founder of FinParency, to discuss one of the most overlooked problems in the lower-middle market: business owners who simply lock the door and walk away rather than securing a proper exit. Mike draws on his experience watching UnitedHealth Group complete 65 acquisitions and leading companies through multiple private equity and family office transactions to explain how FinParency is building a platform to get small business owners exit-ready, match them with the right buyers from a pool of 4,500+ private equity groups and 4,000+ family offices, and bridge the knowledge gap that causes so many deals to fall apart.    In this podcast episode, we discuss:  Why roughly 20% of small business owners in their 60s plan to shut down rather than sell -- and what's driving that trend  How FinParency's platform diagnoses a business, scores its exit-readiness, and flags red flags before buyers ever see them  What business owners need to understand about add-backs, working capital, and cleaning up financials before going to market  How cutting costs (especially benefits and insurance) directly increases your exit multiple  Inside look at how strategic buyers like UnitedHealth Group approach acquisitions differently than private equity  How FinParency matches sellers with the right buyers -- PE groups, family offices, and individual investors -- and when to bring in a banker    Guest Contact Info:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeehrle/  Email: [email protected]  Website: finparency.ai or finparency.com    Additional Resources:  Thinking about buying or selling a business? Connect with the Equity Launchpad team to learn more about acquisition entrepreneurship and upcoming opportunities.  Contact Casey Minshew and Ben Suttles: [email protected]  Explore more: https://www.equity-launchpad.com    About The M&A Launchpad: The M&A Launchpad provides insights into acquiring, investing in, and selling profitable businesses in the lower to middle market. Whether you are a business owner, investor, or aspiring entrepreneur, we will provide you with the knowledge, guidance, and capital to navigate the world of mergers and acquisitions. The M&A Launchpad presents a series of weekly podcast episodes and hosts an annual M&A Launchpad Conference tailored to the M&A community. Connect with M&A Launchpad: 🎧 Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0mW6i4ooujqC7eOPWmguU7 🎧 Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m-a-launchpad/id1740382586 🎟️ Attend Upcoming M&A Launchpad Conference: http://malaunchpad.com/