How Long Does It Really Take to Sell a Business?

So… You’re Thinking of Selling Your Business?

Okay, real talk. If you’re anything like I was, the idea of selling your business probably came at 2 a.m. after a long week, a lukewarm IPA in hand, staring at your laptop wondering, “What if I just cashed out and did something else?”

Sound familiar?

I’ve been there. And let me tell you, selling a business isn’t like selling a used car. There’s no Craigslist listing that gets the job done over the weekend. There’s emotion, timing, money, paperwork, more paperwork, and—oh yeah—waiting.

So how long does it really take to sell a business?

Here’s the honest, not-fluffy, definitely-not-from-a-broker answer from someone who actually went through it.

The Short Answer: It Depends (Yep, I Know… Lame)

I know, I know—“it depends” is the most frustrating answer. But hear me out.

On average, it takes 6 to 12 months to sell a small to mid-sized business. Some go faster (think: hot niche, solid books, turnkey operations). Others? They linger like that mystery Tupperware in the back of your fridge.

Mine? Took 9 months. Which is poetic, I guess, because it felt like giving birth. Just without the epidural. 😅

But let’s break it down a bit, because the why behind that timeline matters.

Stage 1: Deciding to Sell (1-2 Months of Internal Ping-Pong)

This is the stage no one talks about. Before the listings, before the brokers, before the spreadsheets… it’s just you and your thoughts.

I sat on the idea for two months. One day I was so ready to sell and start something new. The next, I was googling “how to scale without burnout.” It’s a mental tug-of-war, and it’s real.

You’ve got to get clear on your why. Are you retiring? Burned out? Wanting to start something else? That clarity shapes everything—from your price expectations to your ideal buyer.

Takeaway: Give yourself time to be sure. You’ll need that conviction later.

Stage 2: Prepping the Business (1-3 Months of “Cleaning House”)

You wouldn’t show your house to buyers with laundry on the floor and dishes in the sink, right?

Same goes for your business.

Getting it ready meant digging through years of financials (some of which were… less than stellar), cleaning up customer contracts, tightening up systems, and doing what I called “business staging.” I even had to fire a client that made things messy for future ownership. That was awkward.

If you’re using a broker, this is when they start poking around too. They’ll want P&Ls, tax returns, customer breakdowns, SOPs. Basically, if it has your logo on it, they want to see it.

Takeaway: The better your books and processes, the faster you’ll sell. Period.

Stage 3: Listing + Marketing (1-2 Months)

This part was both exciting and wildly humbling.

My broker made a slick teaser and sent it out to their buyer list. We also listed it on a couple business-for-sale platforms. Within a few weeks, I had a dozen inquiries… and a fresh wave of imposter syndrome.

“What if they find out I’ve been winging half of this?” 😂

But here’s the thing: most serious buyers expect some chaos. What they want is potential, profitability, and a business they can either run smoothly or grow. And if you’ve done the prep work, that shows.

Takeaway: Expect tire-kickers. Be patient for the right buyer.

Stage 4: Negotiation + Due Diligence (2-3 Months)

This is the meat grinder.

I found a buyer in month four. A former corporate exec who wanted to “be his own boss.” We clicked. He made an offer. I countered. He countered my counter. I cried into a burrito.

Eventually, we landed on terms we both could live with. But that’s when things really kicked into gear: due diligence.

He wanted to see everything—bank statements, payroll records, customer churn stats, even my lease agreement. It felt invasive, but I got it. He was buying more than a business—he was buying risk.

Takeaway: Stay organized. Sloppy due diligence = lost deals.

Stage 5: Closing (1-2 Months)

Ah, the finish line… that’s actually another mini-marathon.

Once we cleared due diligence, we started closing procedures. Lawyers got involved (cha-ching 💸), contracts were drawn up, escrow was set, and the final walkthrough happened.

This stage felt the longest, mostly because I was mentally done. I just wanted to sign, toast, and move on. But the details matter. Every clause. Every non-compete. Every dollar.

Finally, after nine months and roughly 17 “final” Zoom calls, we closed.

And I’m not kidding—I celebrated by sleeping in, deleting Slack, and eating pancakes at 10:30 a.m.

So… What Slows Things Down?

Some factors that can stretch out your timeline:

• Messy financials – If your books look like a toddler got into Excel, it’ll take longer.

• High asking price – Overpricing = crickets.

• Niche market – Less buyer demand means longer wait.

• Emotional attachment – If you keep changing your mind, buyers will walk.

And sometimes… life just happens. Deals fall through. Buyers vanish. A hurricane hits (yep, happened to me—thanks, Mother Nature). 😐

Can You Sell Faster? Sure. But Don’t Rush It.

I’ve seen folks sell in 3 months. Usually, it’s because they had:

• Clean, verified financials

• A turnkey operation with little owner involvement

• A broker with solid buyer connections

But most of us? We’re not unicorns. We’re humans with businesses built on heart, hustle, and a little duct tape. Selling takes time—and that’s okay.

Final Thoughts: Patience Pays (Literally)

If there’s one thing I learned, it’s that timing matters—but preparation matters more.

I could’ve sold faster if I’d prepped sooner. But I’m glad I took the time. I found a buyer I trusted, got a price I was happy with, and exited on my terms.

And now? I get to write weirdly therapeutic blog posts like this and do consulting on the side (from my porch, with good coffee and no Slack notifications).

So, if you’re wondering how long it’ll take to sell your business… ask yourself how ready you are. Because once you are, the rest will follow.

Just maybe keep some snacks nearby for the waiting. 🥨

Key Takeaways

• Most small businesses take 6–12 months to sell.

• Preparation can shave months off the timeline.

• Clean books, realistic pricing, and turnkey operations = faster sale.

• The emotional rollercoaster is real—but worth it.

• Don’t rush it—good exits take time.

Thinking About Selling?

Start by cleaning up your books and thinking through your why. And if you ever need someone to talk you off the ledge when a deal feels like it’s falling apart, shoot me a message. Been there. Bought the T-shirt.

And yeah, sold the business. 😉