Welcome to another edition of The Wise Exit!

Author

Aiza Torres
May 29, 2025

In this week's issue, we're covering: 

  • Why lean businesses can scare off buyers

  • The simple move founders skip when planning an exit

  • What Google’s $23B deal means for sellers like you

  • And the one thing buyers really don’t want to discover 

Let’s get into it.

🧠 This Week’s Big Idea 

The Hidden Cost of Running Too Lean

Lean is good... until it isn't. 

A lot of founders take pride in running a tight ship. Low overhead, small team, hands-on leadership.

But there's a catch. Because when it’s time to sell, that leanness can make buyers nervous.

Here’s what they see: 

  • You’re still in the weeds: If you step away, does the business fall apart?

  • Not enough leadership depth: Buyers want to see a team, not a solo act

  • No documented systems: Can someone else run this without a brain transplant? 

Buyers aren’t just buying your numbers. They’re buying the machine behind them.

And if that machine disappears when you do, you can expect a lower offer, or at the very least, much more scrutiny. 

The good news? You can fix this.

But it takes time, and it’s only possible if you start long before you're in deal mode.

 Curious What Buyers Would Actually Pay for Your Business?

Most founders undervalue what they’ve built or don’t realize which parts of the business turn buyers off.

With a Certified Pro Valuation, we’ll help you:

  • Spot weak points before buyers do

  • Understand what your business is really worth in today’s market

  • Get a short list of real buyers who are actively looking in your space .

“Exitwise helped us turn an average offer into something life-changing.”

— Shawn McKenna, Founder, DataFuzion

Special offer for readers: You can take 10% off your valuation today. Just use the code VALUE10 when booking your call below. 

 📰 Featured Blog Post

Exit Planning: Why It’s Never Too Early

If you're waiting until you're "ready to sell" to start planning, you're already behind.

This article walks you through what you can do today to ensure you exit on your own terms, not someone else’s.

📰 In The News

Google to Acquire Wiz for $23 Billion

Google just announced it’s acquiring cybersecurity firm Wiz in a $23B all-cash deal – one of the largest tech acquisitions of the year. 

Why it matters to you:

Strategic buyers are aggressively acquiring companies that fill gaps in their platform. Wiz stood out for its:

  • Growth

  • Recurring revenue

  • Clean integration story

If your business solves a clear problem in a growing category, especially in tech or services, there may be more strategic buyers watching than you think.

Now might be the time to prepare for those conversations.

🗣️ From Brian

“Buyers hate surprises. Especially when they’re avoidable.

Whether it’s customer churn, messy books, or unclear ownership – these things don’t just delay the deal. They kill trust.”

👉 Read the full post on LinkedIn

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 That's all for this week. Until next time.


Best,
Brian