The other day, I was talking with a business owner who’s been considering selling his company. At one point, he said something I’ve heard many times before: “I don’t trust business valuations. They don’t take into account my name in the community, my reputation, or the blood, sweat, and tears I’ve poured into this business.” It’s a fair feeling — after all, when you’ve built something from the ground up, it becomes part of your identity. But here’s the reality: when it comes

We sold our HVAC business in 2022. After years of long hot summers, tough decisions, and the rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, I thought we were ready. But looking back, I see the mistakes I made — mistakes that could have been avoided with the right guidance. Mistake #1: Bad Partnerships and Eager Exits Partnerships can be powerful catalysts for growth—but they can also become sources of deep frustration. In my case, I was so eager to escape a challenging business relations