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A Smart Bear · Jason Cohen
articleprincipleSource excerpt
About A Smart BearMany founders experience a profound and prolonged sadness after selling their company. But "not selling" might be worse. Maybe my story will help you.
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Apollo layer
Treat an exit as both a financial decision and an identity transition. Before selling—or deciding not to—consider what purpose, relationships, and daily structure will replace the company, rather than assuming success will automatically feel fulfilling.
A strong outcome can still create loss when a founder’s identity and routines are inseparable from the business. Preparing for life after an exit improves decision quality and reduces the risk of judging a complex transition solely by its price tag.
Write two one-year scenarios: one after selling and one after continuing. For each, describe your role, routines, relationships, sense of purpose, and likely regrets—then identify what you would need to make that path sustainable.
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