If you’ve been thinking about selling your business in 2025, you might have noticed a problem: small businesses just aren’t selling like they used to. It’s not that buyers aren’t out there—but many business owners are struggling to find serious offers or close deals.
So, what’s going on? And more importantly, how can you make sure your business does sell when you’re ready to exit?
Let’s break it down.
1. Economic Uncertainty is Making Buyers Hesitate
Between inflation, high interest rates, and an unpredictable economy, buyers are more cautious than ever. Even those with the cash to buy a business are holding off, worried about whether it will be profitable long-term.
Financing is also a major issue. With interest rates still high, traditional loans are expensive, making it harder for buyers to justify the investment—especially for small businesses that don’t have rock-solid financials.
👉 How to fix it: If you’re thinking about selling, get your numbers in order. Buyers want to see strong, consistent financials. Work with an accountant to clean up your books, maximize profitability, and ensure your business is as financially attractive as possible.
2. Labor Shortages Are a Red Flag for Buyers
Hiring has been a challenge for small businesses since 2020, and 2025 is no exception. In fact, a recent National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) report found that 35% of small business owners still have unfilled job openings, and nearly 90% say they’re struggling to find qualified workers.
Buyers don’t want to take over a business that’s short-staffed or reliant on employees who might quit when the owner leaves. If you don’t have a solid team in place, it drives down your business’s value—or worse, scares buyers away entirely.
👉 How to fix it: Before listing your business, document processes, cross-train employees, and ensure your team can function without you. If you’re heavily involved in daily operations, start stepping back so the transition to a new owner is smoother.
3. Supply Chain Issues & Rising Costs
Even if you’re not in retail or manufacturing, supply chain problems can still affect your business. Tariffs, shipping delays, and increased costs of goods are cutting into small business margins. If your business is too reliant on one supplier or struggling with unpredictable costs, buyers will see it as a risk.
👉 How to fix it: Diversify your suppliers and lock in long-term pricing agreements where possible. If you’re dealing with rising costs, consider adjusting your pricing strategy now, so buyers see a business that’s already adapting, rather than one that will need major adjustments after they buy it.
4. Changing Buyer Expectations
Small business buyers in 2025 are looking for turnkey opportunities—meaning businesses that are already running smoothly and can be operated without a ton of hands-on involvement. If your business is dependent on you (the owner) to run successfully, it’s going to be much harder to sell.
Additionally, buyers are looking for businesses that embrace digital tools and automation. If your business is still operating on outdated systems, manually tracking sales, or not leveraging online marketing, you’re already at a disadvantage.
👉 How to fix it: Start running your business like it’s already sold. Automate where you can, improve your online presence, and build systems that make it easy for a new owner to step in without missing a beat.
The Bottom Line: Businesses Need to Be Sellable, Not Just for Sale
If you’re planning to sell your business in 2025, the key takeaway is this: you need to prepare your business to sell before you list it.
Buyers have options, and if your business doesn’t look like a profitable, low-risk investment, it’s going to sit on the market.
At Brighter Day Consulting, we help small business owners prepare their businesses for sale the right way—by improving processes, tightening up financials, and creating a smooth transition plan that attracts serious buyers.
Thinking about selling? Let’s talk. Schedule a call today to get started.
