Time Is the Enemy of Most Deals

Many owners think signing a letter of intent means they’re close to the finish line.

In reality, that’s when the hardest part begins.

Once a business goes to market, time starts working against the seller. The longer a process drags on, the more opportunities there are for fatigue, frustration, and second-guessing to creep in.

Buyers ask more questions. Advisors push harder. Lenders get cautious. Small issues start to feel enormous.

This is where deals quietly die.

Not because the fundamentals changed — but because the seller ran out of patience.

Selling a business is not a sprint. It’s a marathon that demands emotional endurance as much as financial preparation.

The sellers who succeed understand this upfront. They pace themselves. They stay focused on the end goal. They don’t let minor friction derail a transaction they worked years to earn.

Momentum matters. Discipline matters. Staying steady matters.

Time doesn’t kill deals on its own.

Exhaustion does.