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Thinking about selling

When did you tell your team you were selling?

Steady Hearth 214OwnerHome & building tradesQualifiedOct 17, 2026

I have nine technicians and an office manager, most of them with me over ten years. I don't want anyone to hear it secondhand or start looking for another job before there's even a buyer. When did you tell your people, and how did you say it?

3 answers

Walt H.BuyerQualifiedOct 18, 2026

From the buying side: I'd want you to tell your key people before closing, but after the LOI is signed and the lender is on board. The two or three people the business can't run without should hear it from you, together with the buyer, ideally in the same week.

Dana BrooksBrokerIdentifiedOct 19, 2026Helpful

What I usually see work: nobody hears anything until there's a signed LOI. Then the owner tells the one or two people the buyer will depend on, in person, with a stay bonus already agreed. Everyone else hears it from the owner and the buyer together, once the deal is close. The worst version is the rumour, so keep the circle small until then.

North Ledger 507OwnerTransportation & logisticsQualifiedOct 20, 2026

I told my dispatcher first, before anyone else. He'd have guessed anyway. He's been the best ally I have in the whole process.

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