As an SME entrepreneur, you bear a lot of responsibility. You are the one who opens the building first thing in the morning and is often the last to leave. You know the customers, the team and the numbers. You keep things running.
However, there is one question that many entrepreneurs prefer to ignore:
What if one day I have to sell my business?
For many entrepreneurs, that question feels like a long way from my bed show. Something you don't think about until you're 65. But the reality is a lot less predictable.
Whether you run a successful installation company, an IT agency or a specialty store: sooner or later, there will come a time when you have to part with your business. Sometimes this is voluntary, but often it comes unexpectedly. Think of illness, an unexpected good offer or a change in your personal situation.
And if that moment arrives without preparation, you are too late.
Most entrepreneurs have been building their business for years. They invest, grow, solve, improve. But when it comes to selling or transferring, there is rarely a plan.
And that's where things go wrong.
Because you don't usually choose the reason to sell yourself. It presents itself. Think about:
Without preparation, such a moment becomes chaotic, emotionally and financially unfavorable. But with preparation, it will be a strategic choice. Something that you have control over.
In 2024, he decided Elias Crum to sell his company Marketing Guys. Not because it went badly. On the contrary: the numbers were strong, the team stood firm and he enjoyed his work.
But the death of a close friend put everything in a different light.
“I suddenly asked myself: how do I spend my time? What else do I want to do in life? Do I want to keep doing this work for another twenty years?”
The answer was clear: no. Not because work stopped being fun, but because he noticed that his heart lies primarily in building new things. Start, discover, test. Not when managing a successful company.
“I felt that the Marketing Guys chapter was completed. It was time to make room for something new.”
During the sales process, Elias noticed how little practical and sober information is available for SMEs. A lot of information is focused on tech startups or investors. Not on the installer with a staff of 12. Or the webshop owner with a loyal customer base.
Along with Sebastian Winter he decided to develop a platform: Best Bonobos.
A place where SME entrepreneurs can discover easily and without fuss:
The platform is scheduled to launch in October 2025. Entrepreneurs can already sign up for the beta version for free via www.bestbonobos.com.
“You don't have to sell tomorrow. But you have to be prepared when the time comes.”
Preparing for sales doesn't mean putting your company on the market right away. It means you take control. That you are ready when the circumstances change. Here's a simple step-by-step plan that you can start today:
If you find yourself answering “yes” to some questions, it's time to look further.
Many entrepreneurs have no idea what their company is worth. Or what undermines that value. Think about:
By improving these things, you not only increase value, but also portability.
Make your company less dependent on you. Define processes, pass on responsibilities to your team and provide clear financial reports.
This provides two advantages:
By not thinking about selling, you run risks:
And perhaps the biggest risk: you'll regret it. Not from selling, but from the fact that you didn't do it your way.
If you're already starting to prepare:
Selling isn't a failure. It is not “stopping”. It's choosing. Just like good business: you do that consciously, not under pressure.
Many entrepreneurs see sales as the end of their working life. But the opposite is true.
For Elias, it was just the beginning of a new phase. A phase where he was given the space to realize other ideas, do business again or just do nothing for a while.
“The sale gave me breathing space. Space to choose again. For work that matches my energy.”
For you, it can mean the same thing. Whether you want to invest, travel, start a new business, or take time for your family, it's your choice.
But only if you start on time.
You may recognize yourself in one of these situations:
Then now is the time to get started. Not with sales. But with preparing it.
At BestBonobos, we help you clarify:
Not as slick investors or expensive consultants. But as fellow entrepreneurs who know what you're up against.
Do you want to know how far along you are? Then sign up for the beta of the platform via the form at the bottom of this page. Participation is free and non-binding.
Whether you want to sell in five months or five years, the best time to get started is today.
Start thinking. Ask yourself questions. Identify risks. And take the next step with help from entrepreneurs who have already walked this path.
Because the best scenario doesn't happen by itself. You build that on time.
👉 Sign up for the BestBonobos beta today and discover how our platform helps you with valuation, preparation and sales strategy.
📩 Sign up for a beta? Fill out the form at the bottom of this page
Soon, we expect to start with a limited group of users who can test the platform. You get full functionality and give us feedback. In return, you'll soon be able to use our platform for free for six months! Feel free to sign up now to be kept up to date. You will then receive an invitation in due course:
