In this episode of The Flywheel Effect, host Brent Sonnek-Schmelz sits down with Bryan Hopkins, founder and CEO at Hopkins Wealth Management Group. They explore what it really takes to prepare a business for sale, from building financial stability to navigating the emotional realities of letting go.

Bryan shares stories of owners who sold too late, held on for too long, or were surprised by the emotional impact of stepping away. He explains how most owners underestimate the time and effort it takes to get a business ready, stressing the need to de-risk operations, update tired systems, and make hard choices about customers and staff. Bryan also highlights the value of focusing on profit, not just top-line revenue, and urges owners to plan for their own future—not just the transaction.

The conversation closes with a look at life after the sale. Bryan encourages owners to think beyond financial success and consider what will bring purpose and fulfillment once the business chapter ends.