29 Jul You Sold Your Business… Now What? Thriving Post-Close in a Sell-In World
EPISODE 224. In this “selling-in” installment of Shoot the Moon, Mike Harvath, Matt Lockhart, and Ryan Barnett tackle the question every founder eventually faces: “You sold your business—now what?” They break down the two common exit paths—sell-in (recap with a minority roll-over) versus sell-out (full exit)—and explain why the post-close experience and upside look very different in each case. Drawing on personal exits, recent client deals, and decades of advisory work, the trio explores how to: craft a realistic personal plan before the wire hits so idle time doesn’t turn into regret; assess cultural fit just as rigorously as financials to avoid post-close “dissonance”; treat earn-outs and equity rolls as risk-managed upside, not “funny money,” and stay engaged so they actually pay out; prepare emotionally for shifting relationships once you’re no longer “the boss” and channel your entrepreneurial energy into a new chapter. Throughout the conversation they emphasize that a clear roadmap—and the right advisor bench—turns a life-changing liquidity event into a springboard for the coveted “second bite at the apple.”
Actionable Nuggets from this Episode
Draft two roadmaps: a 90-day integration game-plan and a personal “what’s next” list.
Pressure-test cultural alignment early—values mismatches cost more than deal points.
Treat the earn-out like your new bonus plan: stay plugged in or negotiate influence levers.
Celebrate intentionally: marking the exit helps you mentally close one chapter and open another.
Use these insights to ensure your own exit isn’t just a payout, but the prologue to an even bigger success story.
Listen to Shoot the Moon on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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Related Episodes
Episode 222: Navigating the Last 30 Days of an M&A Deal. Listen now >>
Episode 196: Breaking Down the Successful Sale of a $19M MSP. Listen now >>
Episode 180: Instead of Buy-Side M&A, Consider Selling-In. Listen now >>