For most business owners, a sale isn't just a financial transaction; it’s the final chapter of a decades-long story. You aren’t just selling assets and cash flow; you are handing over your reputation, your customer relationships, and the livelihoods of the employees who helped you build them.

In my conversations with founders, I’ve noticed it’s rarely the financial "number" that drives the final decision. Instead, it’s usually one of these five subtle shifts: