What Happens After Your Business's Sale?

Miranda Kishel
Jun 13
2 min read

You Planned the Exit. But Did You Plan the After the Business Sale?

Selling your business is a milestone—but it’s not the finish line. It’s the start of something new, and often, something uncertain. While most exit strategies focus on valuation, deal terms, and due diligence, the real challenge begins after the sale closes.

What happens when you’re no longer the owner? What do you do with your time, your purpose, your money, your identity?

That’s the part most owners don’t prepare for—and it’s where many struggle.

Why This Conversation Matters Right Now

More than half of small business owners are planning to exit within the next 10 years. According to Forbes, many do so without clear direction on what comes next. Even the most financially successful exits can leave a void when owners haven’t planned for the post-sale transition.

We talk a lot about financial readiness and legal structure—but not enough about life after ownership. The reality is, without a plan for the “what now,” many former owners experience:

Regret
Identity loss
Boredom or restlessness
Poor investment decisions
Disconnectedness from a business community they once led

From the Trenches: What I’ve Seen

In my work with business owners, I've seen two outcomes:

The fulfilled seller: They had a clear plan—whether that meant starting a new venture, becoming a mentor or investor, traveling, or stepping into retirement with purpose. They left the business, but not themselves.
The aimless drifter: They exited without a plan for the business sale. Weeks or months later, they felt uncertain, disconnected, and sometimes depressed. They missed their team. They missed the momentum. They didn’t know who they were without the business.

The difference wasn’t money. It was mindset—and planning.

My Take: Exit Planning Must Include a Post-Sale Roadmap

The future of exit planning will expand beyond financials and transaction logistics. I believe we’re entering an era where holistic exit planning becomes the norm—addressing not only what happens during the sale, but what happens after.

That includes:

Lifestyle design and post-sale goals
Wealth and estate planning integration
Relationship management (with the team, buyer, family)
Mental and emotional preparation
Philanthropy, legacy, or impact planning

Owners won’t just be asking, “How much will I get?” They’ll be asking, “What will I do after?”

And advisors need to be ready with answers.

What Small Business Owners Should Do Now

If you’re thinking about an exit—or even just imagining one—consider these steps:

Start with vision, not valuation. What does a great “next chapter” look like for you?
Build a post-sale financial plan. Don’t let a lump sum distract from long-term wealth goals.
Think about identity. Who are you without your business? What passions or skills do you want to pursue?
Have a transition period. Whether it’s 3 months or 2 years, plan for a ramp-down—not an abrupt cut-off.
Talk to others who’ve exited. Learn what they did right—and what they wish they’d done differently.

Final Thought: Selling your business is a milestone, not an endpoint. If you don’t plan for what happens next, the transition can feel more like a loss than a win.

A smart exit plan includes more than just a sale—it includes a future. Book a Discovery Call to start mapping yours.