1851

Even though it’s been advised many times, very few businesses start with the end in mind. Sure, some entrepreneurs or business owners say that, “Someday, I will sell this business for millions,” with a pinky finger raised and an optimistic grin. Even then, the plan is to get started, and then, maybe, implement a plan to get to three years if they’re lucky. But, what happens when you think about the end in the beginning? Whether you are a franchisee, franchisor or a small business owner, doing so changes the way you run your business. For instance:<ol><li>You may keep better files—like contracts.</li><li>You may write your contracts better—or, in a way that gets you to the most productive end.</li><li>You may pay your leadership team a little differently—with a mindset of keeping them in place post-exit.</li><li>You may file the right legal trademarks.</li><li>You may even seek the advice of someone who can help you sell at some point.</li></ol>With the end in mind, you clearly run your business differently. You are constantly preparing for an amazing moment. But, as I said, many don’t think this way. The end comes in a time of turbulence; thus, the buyer buys on the downward turn of the j-curve, looking to swallow up your business for a discount. They see a clear pathway to put points 1-5 in place, plus another 20. The reality is, that you will exit your business at some point in time, whether you want to or not (till death really do us part). So, what do you want to do? Think about what happens when you are considering selling a house. You paint it, you cut the grass and you fix the issues. Yet, in many businesses that are nearing an end, you invest the funds in floating to the finish line versus preparing it properly for a fruitful finish. If you are starting a business, try to operationalize it for an exit at some point. If you are currently operating your business (and plan to for a while), put some fixes in place now so an exit doesn’t crush you. If you are in a position where the exit is looking bleak, do something about it. Paint the walls. You have the choice, now or tomorrow, to reimage your business to set you up for the best possible outcome. Most of the time, the choice is to skimp on spending to preserve the cash for now – but it’s worth considering what making a little less now could mean for your chances of creating a beautiful thing tomorrow. Reimage your business today and create higher wealth for tomorrow – no matter what stage you are in. &nbsp;

Nick Powills: Reimage Your Business Before Selling It

1851 Franchise

Starting with the end in mind can make all the difference for a business.

nick-powills-reimage-your-business-before-selling-it

SweatHouz

Science, Wellness, Growth: How SweatHouz CEO Mike Tan is Shaping the Future of Contrast Therapy Franchising

mike-tan-franchising-strategy-sweathouz

Biscuit Belly Franchising

Biscuit Belly Expands Across the Southeast U.S. With Six New Locations

biscuit-belly-expands-across-the-southeast-us-with-six-new-locations

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Photo of exterior of Layne's Chicken Fingers restaurant

Layne’s Chicken Fingers Signs Landmark 44-Restaurant Deal, Shatters Records in Monumental Third Quarter

laynes-chicken-franchise-growth-records

Children's Lighthouse

Why Children’s Lighthouse Is a Great Opportunity for Swim School Franchisees

why-childrens-lighthouse-is-a-great-opportunity-for-swim-school-franchisees

Children’s Lighthouse Closes the Third Quarter with Record Franchise Signings and New School Opening

childrenslighthouse-q3-2025-growth

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Amazon outage, AWS outage, Amazon AWS logo

The Day the Cloud Stalled: How Amazon's Outage Impacted Franchise Economy

amazon-aws-outage-franchise-impact-travel-dining-failure

Thursday 1851 Franchise Agg - NASAA’s Noncompete Push

NASAA’s Noncompete Push Puts Franchise Growth on Uncertain Ground

franchise-noncompete-nasaa-advisory-reasonableness-standard

How a Steady Economy Could Help Franchisors Plan Their Next Move

how-a-steady-economy-could-help-franchisors-plan-their-next-move

Bed Bath & Beyond - Franchise Expansion - Retail Strategy - 1851 Franchise

Bed Bath & Beyond Launches Franchise Model as Part of Comeback Strategy

bed-bath-beyond-franchise-expansion-retail-strategy

Senior Entrepreneurship - Franchising - 1851 Franchise

Senior Entrepreneurship Is Rising — And Franchising Is a Key Outlet

senior-entrepreneurship-franchising-silver-startups

Top Education Franchises To Consider for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Education Franchises To Consider Investing In for 2025

top-education-franchises-investment-opportunities

Top Arts and Creative Learning Franchises for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Arts and Creative Learning Franchises for 2025

top-arts-creative-learning-franchises

Top Enrichment and Supplemental Education Franchises for 2025

top-enrichment-supplemental-education-franchises

Design with school-aged child standing on pencil with text "Education Franchises" and "<$500K"

Top Education Franchises Under $500K To Explore in 2025

top-education-franchises-under-500k

A Practical Playbook: Who To Call First When Franchising Your Business

franchising-your-business-who-to-call-first

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

NJCAR v. Ford - New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

new-jersey-franchise-practices-act-njcar-v-ford

graphic image of an 1851 franchisee spotlight brayden and johnny steven of teriyaki madness

Father-and-Daughter Team Bring Teriyaki Madness to Wichita, Kansas, With Big Expansion Plans

johnny-brayden-steven-teriyaki-madness-wichita

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Barb Volk and KidStrong logo

Why This Orangetheory Fitness Franchise Owner Is Developing KidStrong Franchises

kidstrong-franchise-owner-barb-volk-2025

Nick Powills: Reimage Your Business Before Selling It

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS