What to Do When You Are the Business

A common concern we hear is "How can you sell my business. Iam the business?"If you’re a one-person operation or your customers know and trust you, don’t stress, it’s still absolutely possible to sell. It just takes a few tweaks to the process:

1. Offer a Proper Handover

Buyers will likely want a transition period where you stick around, introduce them to key customers, and help them learn the ropes. This is often negotiated into the deal, and if it runs longer than a couple of weeks, you can usually be paid for your time.

2. Expect a Non-Compete Clause

To protect the buyer’s investment, they’ll usually request that you agree not to start a similar business nearby for a set period of time. This is standard and part of the contract.

3. Sell the Value Beyond You

Buyers aren’t just buying you, they’re buying:

• Your income stream
• Your systems and supplier relationships
• Your brand, reviews, and digital presence
• The trust you’ve built (which they can inherit if you help with the handover)

We sell sole traders all the time, tradies, salon owners and barbers, personal trainers, cleaners, landscapers, and more. Where there’s structure, there’s value. And where there’s value, there’s a buyer.

What’s a Handover Period?

When you are the business, meaning clients know and trust you personally, your buyer will likely want some extra support after the settlement.That’s where the handover period comes in. It’s a short, agreed-upon time frame where you stick around to help the new owner learn the ropes. This can include:

• Introducing them to regular clients
• Showing them how day-to-day operations work
• Answering questions and offering basic training/support.

If the handover goes beyond a couple of weeks, it’s usually negotiated into the sale contract and may include a paid wage.

What’s a Non-Compete Clause?

A non-compete clause is a term in the sale contract that prevents you from starting a similar business (or working for a competitor) in an agreed-upon area for a set time.Why? Because buyers want peace of mind. They’re investing in your business, and they don’t want to risk losing customers to you down the track.These clauses are normal and negotiable. The location and time limits will be discussed as part of the sale terms.Talk to us about how we can be your lighthouse throughout the process of selling your small business

Speak to our sales expert.

Thinking of selling? Talk to the highest selling business sales team for a free appraisal of your business today.