Here's a simple Sellability Score self-test. Rate each item from 1 to 10, then add up your total.
- a)Financials: Are your statements clean and accurate?
- b)Ownership Dependency: Can the business run without you?
- c)Customer Risk: Is revenue spread across customers?
- d)Systems: Do you have documented processes?
- e)Team: Do you have leadership beyond you?
- f)Contracts: Do you have solid customer/vendor contracts?
- g)Compliance: Are licenses, insurance, HR files updated?
- h)Growth: Is revenue stable or increasing?
- i)Market Position: Is your brand credible and defensible?
- j)Documentation: Can you prove everything you claim?
Your Total Score
- 80–100Highly sellable / strong valuation potential
- 60–79Sellable but risk-adjusted (expect negotiations)
- 40–59Sellable but discounted (earnouts likely)
- Below 40“Buyer will smell fear”
Yes, buyers can smell fear. They don't even need to be in the room.