Is it right for you
An honest answer, before you spend anything.
Testing the market works well for some owners and badly for others. Here is who it suits, who it doesn't, and how it compares with hiring a traditional broker.
A good fit
If you recognize yourself here, we can help.
Your business is established
A small-to-mid-sized business, typically valued between about $500K and $5M, with financial statements you can share and a track record behind them.
You want to know before you commit
You are curious what the business is worth and whether anyone would buy it, but you are not ready to sign up for a full sale process.
You can't afford the distraction
Running the business comes first. You want the market tested without weekly meetings pulling you away from operations.
You'd rather pay a flat fee
A fixed $10,000 makes more sense to you than a percentage of your sale price, and you are comfortable talking to buyers yourself.
Not a fit
When a flat-fee listing is the wrong tool.
SimpleExit hands you the buyer conversations. That is the point, and it is also the reason it isn't for everyone.
- You want someone else to negotiate the sale and run buyer conversations for you.
- You need a broad, confidential auction among institutional buyers, managed end to end.
- You can't yet share financial statements a buyer could rely on.
- The business can't run without you and there is no plan for handing it over.
Side by side
A traditional broker and SimpleExit, compared.
Neither is right for every owner. The difference comes down to who runs the conversations and how the fee is structured.
| Factor | Traditional broker | SimpleExit |
|---|---|---|
| What you pay | Commonly 10–15% of the sale price, sometimes with a retainer | $10,000 flat, no percentage of the sale |
| Who talks to buyers | The broker, on your behalf | You, after the buyer has signed an NDA |
| Commitment | Usually an exclusive listing agreement | No obligation to sell to anyone |
| Your time | Regular meetings and updates | A questionnaire, then the conversations you choose |
Broker terms vary. The commission range is what traditional brokers commonly charge on small business sales, not any particular firm’s rate.
Not sure yet?
That’s exactly what the consultation is for.
Thirty minutes, no obligation. We look at your business, give you a free opinion of value and tell you plainly whether testing the market makes sense for you, including when it doesn’t.
FAQ
Questions about fit
- What size of business is SimpleExit for?
- Typically small-to-mid-sized businesses valued between about $500K and $5M, with financial statements you can share. If you are outside that range, book a consultation and we will tell you honestly whether it fits.
- What kinds of businesses use SimpleExit?
- Established local and niche businesses: service companies, trades, studios, specialty retail and similar. The common thread is an owner who wants to test the market without handing over control or a percentage of the sale.
- Is SimpleExit right if I'm not sure I want to sell?
- Often, yes. Testing the market is designed for owners who want real buyer interest and a clearer sense of value before deciding anything. Nothing obliges you to sell afterwards.
- When is a traditional broker the better choice?
- When you want someone else to run buyer conversations and negotiate for you, or you need a managed, confidential auction. SimpleExit is built for owners who are comfortable running those conversations themselves.
- What do I need before I start?
- Financial statements you can share, a willingness to answer a buyer's questions yourself, and a sense of what you would want from a sale. The questionnaire covers the rest.
Next step
See what your business could draw, before you commit to anything.
A 30-minute call. We review your business, answer your questions and give you a free opinion of value. Then you decide whether testing the market makes sense.