6 lessons I learnt after selling my startup

I sold my startup 18 months ago.

The minute the deal closed, I started sobbing uncontrollably.

The 12+ years of sacrifices, hard work, and late nights spent building my dream flashed before me.

And I knew my life would never be the same.

Here are 6 lessons I’ve learnt since selling:

1. Sell when you don’t need to.

I was 100% owner, generating 7 figures in annual profits. Life was already good. I didn't need to sell.

2. Your company is an asset, not a family.

I curated the most amazing team of people who I loved working with. Our culture was something special. But that family feel often clouded my judgment as an entrepreneur.

3. You’ll worry about telling your team but they’ll be just fine.

I had 1:1’s with everyone in the company to discuss the sale. At first there was shock and disbelief. But now they’re thriving. People are more resilient than you think.

4. It takes 12 months to get over the separation anxiety.

I had never planned to sell. I spent 12 years building a forever business and it made letting go incredibly hard.

5. Always build to sell.

Even if you never do, having that mindset will help you build a better business that can run without you.

6. Never lose sight of why you became an entrepreneur.

The more Sendible grew, the more it started to feel like a job. I didn’t start a company to build a career. I started a company to change the world in my own small way.

Know when your job is done and move on.