Tropical MBA: Entrepreneurship & Founder Lifestyle #811 The Brutal Truth About Business Exits with Rob Walling
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Jun 12, 2025 Rob Walling, an expert in business exits and author of 'Exit Strategy,' shares invaluable insights from his journey of selling his own SaaS company. He discusses the emotional toll of business exits and how preparation can ease the process. Walling emphasizes the importance of understanding your business's true worth, navigating valuation benchmarks, and avoiding common traps during sales. He also addresses the unique challenges non-technical founders face and the evolving marketing strategies necessary for success in today's landscape.
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Emotional Toll of Exiting
- Exiting a business is often far more emotionally brutal than founders expect.
- Rob Walling and his wife almost separated due to the intense stress of his company sale.
Valuation Benchmarks for Startups
- Company valuations often rely on rough multiples of revenue or profit specific to industry.
- SaaS businesses growing over $2m ARR can expect 5-7x revenue multiples for valuation.
Vet Buyers and Brokers Carefully
- Avoid unsolicited offers from unknown brokers as most aim to prevent bidding wars.
- Vet bankers or brokers through trusted referrals with established reputations.
