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