Why 85% of Businesses Never Sell — and How to Build One That Does | DeSimone on Deals with Jon Chen

Most business owners assume they’ll sell their company someday.But the reality is shocking: about 85% of businesses that go to market never sell.In this episode of DeSimone on Deals: The Exit Strategy Podcast, Greg DeSimone sits down with Jon Chen, founder of Blue Tide Catalyst, to discuss how business owners can dramatically increase the value of their company — and actually build a business someone wants to buy.They explore why growth alone doesn’t create value, how owner dependency can destroy a deal, and why culture, leadership, and systems are often the biggest drivers of enterprise value.Jon also shares practical strategies for transforming a business from chaotic “kids soccer” operations into a structured company that can scale — and eventually exit successfully.In this episode you’ll learn:• Why 85% of businesses never sell• The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make when building value• How removing owner dependency can increase valuation multiples• Why growth can actually create more problems than it solves• The leadership and culture shifts that unlock real company value• How one company grew from $5M to a $60M exitIf you’re building a company and thinking about your long-term exit strategy, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.#exitstrategy #companyculture #businessexit #leadershipgoals #businessowner #businesspodcast #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship