So here you are. After months (maybe years) of thinking, prepping, negotiating, and negotiating again… It’s finally happening.

Closing Day.

This is the moment most owners dream about, but it can also feel surreal, emotional, and even a little bit disorienting. So in this final email, I want to help you stick the landing and step confidently into whatever comes next.

While this is different for everyone, it’s a good idea to generally know what to expect when the deal is done and how to lead through the transition like the pro you’ve become.

A little aside: I shared an 8-figure exit with my brother to a company that cared about my team and our business and treated it well after we were gone. Pretty ideal way to exit, but it still left me wondering what to do next.

Before you get to that point, timing is everything at the actual (final) close.

If you announce the deal too early, it can cause panic or confusion among employees, customers, and partners. Announce it too late, and you risk rumors, distrust, or people feeling blindsided by something sudden.

Here’s what I’ve seen work well in practice: loop in key internal team members a few days before closing. These should be leaders or essential employees who are part of the transition plan, or whose buy-in will be critical to keeping things smooth. 

Once the ink is dry, make a company-wide announcement. Be honest, clear, and optimistic about what the future holds, and make sure to consider their needs (not just your payday) in the announcement. Focus on what’s staying the same (the team, the values, the mission) and what exciting opportunities lie ahead.

When speaking to everyone, it’s your enthusiasm, your words, and your tone that set everything up for success.  

Employees, vendors, and partners are all going to take their cues from you. If you sound anxious or uncertain, they’ll mirror it. If you sound steady, proud, and hopeful, they’ll feel that too.

Your situation will vary, but you can bet that people need to hear some or all of the following:

• Why now: Share your “why” behind the sale. (Retirement, scaling, new chapter, etc.)

• What’s next: Will you stay on for a transition? Is the team structure staying intact?

• What this means for them: Be clear about their job security, roles, and what (if anything) is changing.

• Gratitude: This is a moment to acknowledge your team, your customers, and your partners. Let them know they were part of building something valuable.

And then, once everyone knows what’s going on, once you’ve put out those last few fires and helped manage emotions, once the money is safely in your bank account… The deal is done. You take a deep breath…

Then what?

Some owners feel an overwhelming sense of joy and relief. Others feel a surprising emptiness similar to the empty nest syndrome that parents feel when their kids leave home. 

Both are normal. You’ve spent years pouring into your business. Don’t be surprised if there’s a “what now?” moment once it’s all over.

Here’s my advice:

• Take time to celebrate. You earned this.

• Give yourself space. Don’t rush to fill the void with activity, but reflect on what you want next before jumping into the next thing.

• Start imagining your next chapter. This might include new ventures, investing, giving back, mentoring, or finally taking that sabbatical.

Whether you’re walking away completely or staying involved during the transition, closing day isn’t the end of your business legacy; it’s the beginning of its next era. As they say, when one door closes, another opens.

Your business will live on through the people, processes, and impact you built. That’s something to be proud of.

Now, if you’ve made it through all 10 parts of the M&A 101 Bootcamp, I want to say thank you.

You’ve put serious thought into preparing your business for a successful exit, and that already puts you ahead of most owners.

If you're ready to talk about your options, navigate the next steps, or just get clear on where you stand, I’d love to help.

Book a no-pressure meeting with me (hi, I’m Jon from OwnerCo!) right here.

Let’s talk through your goals and make a plan that works for you.

👉Book a call with an M&A advisor