--- title: Episode 132- How To Sell Your Business description: Dave and Richard offer real business advice from real entrepreneurs. image: https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/hubfs/Episode%20132_Landscape.png --- [Skip to content](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/episodes/episode-132-how-to-sell-your-business#main-content) [![sme-growth-wellmeadow-podcast-logo-white](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/sme-growth-wellmeadow-podcast-logo-white.png?width=800&height=353&name=sme-growth-wellmeadow-podcast-logo-white.png) ![sme-growth-wellmeadow-podcast-logo-white](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/sme-growth-wellmeadow-podcast-logo-white.png?width=800&height=353&name=sme-growth-wellmeadow-podcast-logo-white.png)](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com) [LET'S TALK](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/podcast-guest) - [Home](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com) - [Episodes](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/episodes) ###### 4 min read # Episode 132- How To Sell Your Business By: [Richard Buckle](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/episodes/author/richard-buckle) on Aug 7, 2025, 9:14:49 AM [The SME Growth Podcast](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/episodes/tag/the-sme-growth-podcast) ![Featured Image](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/hubfs/Episode%20132_Landscape.png) In this episode, we explore one of the most misunderstood yet critically important aspects of business ownership: planning and executing a business exit. Joined by Oliver Wadlow, Director at Alinea Corporate Finance, we explore the practical and emotional complexities that come with selling or transitioning ownership of an SME. Whether you're eyeing retirement, a strategic pivot, or simply thinking about de-risking, understanding your exit options is a must.   We discuss the full spectrum of exit routes available, from management buyouts (MBOs) and employee ownership trusts (EOTs) to trade sales and private equity. Oliver brings a wealth of real-world insight, helping demystify concepts like adjusted EBITDA, deferred consideration vs earn-outs, and the evolving landscape of tax reliefs. For many business owners, exit planning is either a distant thought or a reactive decision triggered by a postcard from a business broker. This conversation aims to help you think more proactively and make informed decisions on your own terms.     You can listen to the full episode here     ##### Listen to the full episode now [![https://open.spotify.com/episode/0f2ySwQHwCU3vUiZLTCsNT?si=4c7UkeV7QzG9v_Kt6gIRaw](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/sme-growth-podcast-home-spotify.png?width=238&height=128&name=sme-growth-podcast-home-spotify.png)](https://open.spotify.com/show/7CGj5aUBcOwY3rqd5Ud1FJ)[![https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sme-growth-podcast-by-wellmeadow/id1654715808](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/sme-growth-podcast-home-icons-apple.png?width=221&height=119&name=sme-growth-podcast-home-icons-apple.png)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sme-growth-podcast-by-wellmeadow/id1654715808)[![https://www.youtube.com/@TheSMEGrowthPodcast](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/sme-growth-podcast-home-icons-youtube.png?width=228&height=123&name=sme-growth-podcast-home-icons-youtube.png) ](https://www.youtube.com/@TheSMEGrowthPodcast) #### Key Topics Discussed: - The real value of a business: sustainable EBITDA vs emotional worth - How different exit routes work: MBOs, EOTs, trade sales, and private equity - The pros and cons of vendor financing and how it impacts deal structure - Common pitfalls in exit planning and how to avoid them - Why timing, structure, and preparation matter more than you think - Current trends in tax relief (e.g., Business Asset Disposal Relief) and their implications - The strategic role of management teams in enhancing business value - Factors that drive (or kill) valuation multiples across sectors #### Who Is This Episode For: This episode is designed for business owners, managing directors, and senior leaders of SMEs who are beginning to consider succession, sale, or partial exit. It’s also invaluable for finance directors, non-exec advisors, and aspiring shareholders looking to better understand how deals are structured and funded. Whether you're exploring future possibilities or facing an immediate exit decision, this episode equips you with the clarity and context to move forward confidently.   #### Quotes to Remember *“If your business only works with you in it, you’ve got a job, not a saleable company.” “Sustainable EBITDA is what buyers are really interested in, not one-off wins.” “There’s no such thing as a 100% payday up front anymore. Deferred consideration is the new normal.”*   #### Actionable Takeaways: 1. **Start thinking about your exit early,** even if it feels premature. 2. **Ensure your business isn’t overly dependent on you:** delegate, systemise, and build a strong second-tier team. 3. **Understand and benchmark your EBITDA,** adjusted properly for a clean valuation conversation. 4. **Explore funding structures with professionals:** vendor financing, bank debt, or hybrid models all have trade-offs. 5. **If considering an EOT,** ensure it’s properly structured with a strong management team and clear incentives for staff. 6. **Don’t fall for inflated valuations or marketing hype;** align your expectations with sector-specific realities. 7. **Seek tax and legal advice early,** structure can significantly affect your net proceeds.   🤳 Like & Follow/Subscribe for weekly episodes on growth, marketing, and making smart business decisions. Got feedback or questions? Let us know in the comments – we read them all!  --- 🎧 Available on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | YouTube 📨 For enquiries or speaking requests: contact@wellmeadow.co.uk Share your thoughts and business challenges in the comments section of our community page: [https://www.youtube.com/@TheSMEGrowthPodcast/community](https://www.youtube.com/@TheSMEGrowthPodcast/community) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ## [Episode 152 - Wellmeadow's 2025 Christmas Broadcast](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/episodes/episode-152-wellmeadows-sme-christmas-broadcast-2025) In this special, seasonal episode of the SME Growth Podcast, we reflect on a year that has tested... ## [Episode 160 - Why Your Busy Schedule Is Actually Sabotaging Growth](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/episodes/episode-160-why-your-busy-schedule-is-actually-sabotaging-growth) In this episode, we explore a myth that quietly shapes far too many businesses: the belief that... ## [Episode 169 - Is Your Business Sleep Walking Into A Crisis Without Realising?](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/episodes/episode-169-is-your-business-sleep-walking-into-a-crisis-without-realising) In this episode, we explore a deceptively simple but critical question for business leaders: are we... ##### Who we are Who we are Dave Parry and Rich Buckle are founders/directors of Wellmeadow.  Having chaired over 3,000 board meetings, and worked with over 100+ companies, they wanted to share their knowledge with a wider audience. The SME Growth Podcast is a vehicle to share insights and practical tips with people working at all levels of SME businesses. ##### Featured Podcast Featured Podcast ###### [Episode 184 - The New Rules of Customer Experience in the Age of AI](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/episodes/episode-184-the-new-rules-of-customer-experience-in-the-age-of-ai) Customer experience doesn't end when a sale is made, in many ways, that's where the real... ##### Contact us Contact us #### **Email:** [contact@wellmeadow.co.uk](mailto:contact@wellmeadow.co.uk) #### **Tel:** 01743 367671 #### **Visit Us:** Unit 2 Nexus, Roushill, Shrewsbury, SY1 1PT [![by-wellmeadow-footer](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/by-wellmeadow-footer.png?width=250&height=35&name=by-wellmeadow-footer.png)](https://www.wellmeadow.co.uk/) - [Cookie Policy](https://www.wellmeadow.co.uk/cookies) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.wellmeadow.co.uk/privacy) - [Acceptable Use Policy](https://www.wellmeadow.co.uk/acceptable-use) - [Terms of Use Policy](https://www.wellmeadow.co.uk/terms-of-website-use) © 2026 Wellmeadow Limited ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Richard Buckle", "url" : "https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/episodes/author/richard-buckle" }, "dateModified" : "2025-10-02T15:39:59.389Z", "datePublished" : "2025-08-07T08:14:49.000Z", "headline" : "Episode 132- How To Sell Your Business", "image" : [ "https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/hubfs/Episode%20132_Landscape.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/episodes/episode-132-how-to-sell-your-business", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/hubfs/sme-growth-podcast-logo-white.png" }, "name" : "SME Growth Podcast" } } ```