Exit ready: Crucial steps for a successful agency sale

Want to sell your agency—someday or soon? Ideal exits rarely happen by accident. If you want the best possible outcome, you need to be intentional. That means planning ahead, even if you’re not ready to sell today.

In his conversations with hundreds of agency owners around the world, Karl hears a common theme: almost everyone wants the option to sell. Some are aiming for a specific exit. For instance, three to five years, five to ten years, or perhaps sooner. And they have a clear financial goal, whether it’s $5 million, $10 million, or—in one client’s case—$100 million.

Others are more casual. They’re enjoying running the agency now but don’t want to be forced to shut things down when the time comes. That makes sense—your agency is probably your family’s single biggest financial asset. What else pays you six or seven figures a year and gives you the potential for a seven- or eight-figure exit?

Some owners anchor to a dream number without considering the business fundamentals. Others hesitate to let go, even when they’re mentally checked out. A successful exit balances logic and emotion—it’s about setting yourself up for what’s next, not proving something to anyone else.

By avoiding these pitfalls, you give yourself the best chance of exiting on your terms—with more money, more freedom, and fewer regrets.

Whatever your plans for the future, don’t wait to plan your exit.

You’ve worked too hard to let someone else dictate how—and when—you leave. Get intentional now… and give yourself more options, better offers, and a smoother path to whatever’s next.

A bonus for you: the Exit Plan template Thanks to the Agency Growth Book, you can get free access to his 11-question Exit Plan template. Go here to get instant access: https://bit.ly/agbexitready