298 - Why Most Businesses Fail to Sell and How to Avoid The Common Trap with Laurie Stirling

Ever considered that your business could be a valuable asset you can sell later on? Yes, even if YOU are the face of the brand! When you have a business you can run without it running you into the ground, it's got value that others want. Today, I’m chatting with Laurie Stirling, a business exit strategist with over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience! From starting a graphic design business from the ground up, to going through a tricky sale, she now helps others avoid the same traps, Laurie shares her experience that shows why most businesses never sell, why freedom should be designed in from the start, and what really makes your business valuable beyond revenue. Here’s a taste of what we tackled in this episode: 1. Why is building a business that runs without you so important? Explore what makes a business actually valuable and saleable, and why most founders unintentionally build themselves into a corner. 2. What do you need to consider if you’re the ‘rock star’ or personal brand of your business? We look at what it takes to turn your expertise into assets, so your impact and income aren’t tied just to your own time. 3. How can you hand over responsibilities without becoming the bottleneck? Laurie shares practical strategies for delegating tasks (and decisions), and why letting go is just as much about mindset as systems. 4. What are the biggest bottlenecks holding women founders back from real freedom? Listen out for the five common bottlenecks, and how to spot which one is capping your growth. Ready to get practical and start working on a business that truly gives you choices? Tune in to this episode, and don’t forget to try Laurie's “what’s your bottleneck?” quiz – and connect with us on socials to let us know your biggest takeaway! About our guest: Laurie Stirling is a Business Exit Strategist who helps entrepreneurs design companies that can run without them. Laurie combines two decades as a CFO, COO, and business owner herself, and she’s passionate about teaching founders how to scale sustainably, delegate confidently, and prepare for eventual exit or succession, without burning out along the way. Connect with Laurie: Business name: Laurie Stirling Consulting, https://www.lauriestirling.com/ Instagram:   / laurie.stirling  , LinkedIn:   / lauriestirling   Laurie's quiz: Find out which bottleneck you currently have in your business! https://bottlenecks.scoreapp.com/ ………………………………………… Are you a woman in business? YOU’RE INVITED! JOIN She’s The Business Community on Facebook and let’s continue the conversation!   / shesthebusinesscommunity   (  / shesthebusinesscommunity  ) ................................................. Loving this podcast? We’d love it if you’d give us a 5 star rating and help others find it too! Simply hit the 5 stars and (if you have 10 seconds to spare) add a few words as a review. Interested in being a guest? All the info is here: https://www.jessicaosborn.com/STB-gue... ......................................................... About your host: Jessica Osborn is a marketing strategist and positioning expert - helping online coaches become unmistakable leaders in their field. With over 25 years in marketing and 15 years as a successful entrepreneur, she helps women build programs that attract buyers without resorting to high-pressure sales or massive ad spend. As an active mother of two, she’s passionate about efficient, lean business models that produce six-figure profit without sacrificing your family time! Learn more & book an intro call: https://jessicaosborn.com (https://jessicaosborn.com/) Instagram or Threads:   / jessica.osborn    LinkedIn:   / jessicaaosborn   (  / jessicaaosborn  ) Facebook:   / jessicaosborn.bxcoach