Exit Strategy: Building to Sell vs. Building to Support Your Lifestyle

Every business has an exit. Either you build toward an exit (you sell), or you build for permanence (you sustain it indefinitely). These require completely different strategies. This guide helps you decide which path you're on.

Two Different End Games

Path 1: Build to Sell

Your goal: Create a sellable asset worth $500K–$2M+, then exit. Common for tech/e-commerce.

Requires: Scalable business, documented processes, recurring revenue, team, proven profit margins.

Path 2: Build to Sustain

Your goal: Create a lifestyle that supports you long-term. Stay independent.

Requires: Sustainable margins, low overhead, happy customers, work-life balance.

Most handmade makers choose Path 2. You're building a lifestyle business, not a venture-backed growth machine.

Building for Long-Term Sustainability (Path 2)

1. Protect Your Margins

Don't race to the bottom on price. Sustainable businesses maintain 40–60% gross margins. This funds your life and future growth.

2. Keep Overhead Low

Every hire, every subscription, every expense reduces your personal take-home. Keep fixed costs minimal unless they directly increase revenue.

3. Build Systems, Not Dependency on You

Even if you never sell, you want the option. Document processes so someone could eventually run it without you.

4. Maintain Quality

Your reputation IS your business. One bad batch of 1,000 units can destroy years of work. Never compromise for short-term profit.

Build the Business You Actually Want

TrueCraft helps you track progress toward your end goal—whether that's sustainability or sale value.

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