Our Missing Link

One of my favorite quotes always makes me smile: “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken” (anonymous, often attributed to poet and playwright Oscar Wilde).

As professionals, we pride ourselves on being honest, ethical, and authentic. I have no doubt you are all those things.

If you are like me, you say what you mean, and you mean what you say. Your words and your actions are in sync. You work hard not to let people down, and you consistently operate with integrity. The people around you trust and admire you. You are adept at building trust with others...

The missing link for many women is to trust ourselves. We have amazing powers of intuition and perception – tuning into ourselves and others – but we habitually ignore or rationalize away these strengths.

-- Excerpt from Patty’s book, Your Hidden Advantage: Unlock the Power to Attract Right-fit Clients and Boost Your Revenue

Today’s Question:

How can you get very clear about what you do and don't want in your business – or your business exit?

But Here’s the Twist . . .

It's estimated that only 30% of owners successfully sell their small business, leaving 70% of small businesses without a viable plan for what happens next. Women make up only a small fraction of that 30% who sell.

There are over 13 million women-owned businesses in the U.S., which is 42% of all U.S. businesses. According to a study by Guidant, for women business owners:

• 62% cite their business as their primary source of income
• 72% started their business to build wealth
• and 71% want to make a difference

What do these statistics mean for you?

These data points line up precisely with what I’ve experienced in my work. In all the conversations I’ve had with accomplished women, I rarely hear they are dreaming of retiring.

Their dreams are centered around purpose, impact, and legacy. Doing well financially is an important tool to realize that dream but isn’t necessarily the driving force.

Now What?

The single biggest reason so few women can or will sell their companies is that they’re not thinking or talking about their eventual exit. Without that thought and planning, it is extremely unlikely they can make it happen.

That’s why I’ve built my business as an advocate for women business owners. In particular, I specialize in helping women founders transition to their Third Act – when you’re ready to do the work you’ve always longed to do.

Work that lights you up… work that is your purpose instead of just a paycheck.

Often, to get to your Third Act, you need to exit from your second act, preferably with funds from a sale that turns your business into a wealth-building tool.

Have you built a profitable and valuable business but instead of feeling like there's something missing, you’re feeling like there's something more?

If you’ve built an accounting firm, a law firm, a financial services firm, a psychology practice, or a specialty consulting firm that is generating $1 million to $10 million in annual revenue, you are in a prime market.

Larger firms and companies are growing by buying other firms. This has long been the case, but we’re seeing a higher rate than ever.

I wish it wasn’t the case, but I see too many women who actually lose their company instead of exiting on their own terms. The exit process is filled with pitfalls and complex issues – especially for women.

Your advocate, by definition, is looking out for your best interests. They are not taking a brokerage fee, commission, or equity. They are not motivated by how quickly the exit moves or the final dollar amounts. They want what you want – and will help you get it.

In my experience, women don't retire; they transition into a new stage of purpose and impact. Whether you are 40 or 60, the idea of retirement may not appeal to you. Just because you can retire doesn’t mean you’ll want to.

We can redefine ‘retirement’ and think of your eventual business exit as a ‘purposeful transition’.

Are you ready to leap into your Third Act and grab the whole cookie?

That requires a new way of thinking, new skills, a simple and elegant design, and an advocate by your side. Contact me to learn more.?

Discover your Exit Readiness Index? with this assessment:?https://she-exits.com/

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? The Block Group Inc.