Future-Proofing Your Business: How to Build a Sellable Business
Last week, I was jolted awake at 3 a.m. when an earthquake hit the Bay Area. My whole apartment was swaying, and for a split second I thought, this might be it — this might be the big one we’ve all been waiting for.
It was a terrifying ten seconds. But once things calmed down, it left me with two lessons that every entrepreneur can apply.
Lesson 1: Do More of the Work That Matters (and That You Enjoy)
That night, what I felt most was gratitude. I had just spent the day with my family and friends, and as I lay awake afterward, it reminded me how precious that time was.
It also made me realize that in my work, I want to keep focusing on the things I really enjoy — the things that make a difference, that feel meaningful, and that have a positive impact on the people I work with and the people in my life. For me, that means not just diving into client work (which I love), but also making time to share content, ideas, and resources with my community.
Here’s the question I’d invite you to ask yourself, too:
Which parts of your business bring you the most joy and have the biggest positive impact on your clients and the people around you?
That’s where your energy should go. The more you double down on meaningful work — the kind you enjoy and that creates value — the more sustainable and fulfilling your business becomes.
Lesson 2: Build Your Business Like You’ll Have to Step Away Someday
At some point, all of us will have to exit our businesses. Maybe it’s to retire. Maybe it’s to pursue a new chapter. Or maybe life throws us an unexpected curveball.
That’s why it’s so important to prepare now to build businesses that are resilient, valuable, and, if we want, sellable. Because a business that only runs when you’re in the driver’s seat isn’t really a business — it’s a job.
So what actually makes a business sellable?
This is exactly what I talked about with Josh Hall on the Web Design Business Podcast. We dug into four key factors:
Recurring, automatically billed clients — These aren’t just nice to have. They’re essential for creating predictable revenue and long-term stability.
A trademark-protected brand — Filing for a trademark doesn’t just protect your intellectual property. It creates a real, transferable asset that adds value.
Strong systems and operations — Documented processes, clear workflows, and reliable tools mean your business can run without you.
Clean books — Financial clarity isn’t only about tax season. It’s about peace of mind today and proving your business’s true value tomorrow.
👉 Listen to the full episode here
Why This Matters Even If You’re Not Planning to Sell
You may not be thinking about selling your business anytime soon, and that’s okay. But the same steps that make your business attractive to a buyer are also the ones that make it easier to run day-to-day.
You’ll have fewer fires to put out.
You’ll stress less about cash flow.
You’ll free up more time for the people and experiences that matter most.
And you’ll know that whenever the time comes to step back — whether it’s by choice or by necessity — your business will be ready.
Final Thoughts
That 3 a.m. earthquake was a literal wake-up call. But the lessons are clear:
Focus on the work that you enjoy and that has a positive impact.
Build your business like one day you’ll have to step away.
Because one day, you will. The question is: will your business be ready?
👉 Want to dig deeper? Listen to the full conversation with Josh Hall on the Web Design Business Podcast, where we talk through the steps to building a business that lasts.
By the way this blog post is actually a form of attorney advertising. While I'm here to share some helpful info, please remember it's not personalized legal advice. For anything specific to your situation, schedule a free consult call here. And, reading this blog post doesn't mean we've got an attorney-client relationship going. To team up officially, we'd need to sign a written agreement. Hope that's clear, and feel free to reach out with any questions!
