Midyear Moves: Smart (and Overlooked) Things to Do This Summer

As we reach the halfway point of the year, June offers a natural pause. It’s not quite downtime, but definitely a shift! Between school breaks, vacation schedules, and seasonal trends, many business owners often find themselves juggling reflection with reactivity.

Here are some midyear tips to sharpen your focus, tighten your operations, and quietly set the stage for a strong second half:

Revisit Old Leads or Opportunities That Went Cold 

A “no” from back in Q1 can turn into a “maybe” or “yes” in Q3. You’d be surprised! Take a few hours to: 

• Reconnect with prospects or vendors who ghosted earlier in the year
• Check in on partnerships that were “on hold”
• Follow up on inquiries that never moved forward
• Review and update your processes to better track leads and opportunities 

Timing may now be in your favor, and your follow-up could land at just the right moment!

Do a “Digital Shelf” Audit 

Go beyond your website and look up all the places your business shows up online: Google Business Profile, LinkedIn, Facebook, Yelp, industry directories, etc. 

• Is contact information up-to-date and consistent? 
• Are outdated services still listed?
• Are reviews recent and relevant? Have they been responded to? 

 This cleanup often gets overlooked but can have a big impact on buyer impressions and SEO.

Cross-Train One Key Role in Your Business 

You do not need to do a full-on succession planning. A low-stakes way to see if someone else can handle an essential task or client interaction will do. You might discover a team member with a hidden talent, spot bottlenecks that need better documentation, or realize how over-reliant the business might be on one person (possibly you). 

Refresh Your SOPs Based on What’s Actually Happening 

Standard Operating Procedures often lag behind reality. It’s common for employees to find faster and better ways of doing things as the business grows and adapts. However, instead of rewriting everything, choose one or two processes (like onboarding a client, closing a sale, or handling complaints) and:

• Walk through it with your team
• Identify where the real-world steps differ from what’s written 
• Make fast edits while the process is fresh in everyone’s mind

This “SOP sprint” can improve efficiency more than a full-blown overhaul.

Declutter Your Tools, Not Just Your Office 

It’s the perfect time to audit your tech stack: apps, subscriptions, platforms, and plugins. Meet with your team and assess: 

• Are we actually using this?
• Is there overlap in functionality? 
• Are we paying for legacy tools (software, hardware, or even methods that are older, outdated, or no longer supported but are still in use) no one even touches?

Freeing up even $100/month can feel like a win, and reduces complexity behind the scenes.

Before Summer Slips Away: Should You Sell Your Business This Year?

As summer begins, business owners often pause to reflect on how the year has gone so far and what’s ahead. If you’ve been thinking about selling your business, June is the time to ask, “Is this the year I sell?” 

The second half of the year can be an ideal time to sell, if you plan smartly.

Here are some key things to consider if you're weighing a sale before year-end:

Timing Matters More Than You Think!

The last two quarters of the year can actually be advantageous for selling a business:

• Buyers are active. Many serious buyers want to acquire before year-end to align with tax planning or kick off Q1 with a new venture.
• Financials are clearer. At this time of the year, it is possible that you may now have a strong sense of how the business is performing and can provide a solid year-to-date picture to potential buyers.
• Fall is a key transaction window. Many deals close between September and early December, right before the holiday slowdown

Do remember that deals can take 4 to 6 months or more, depending on complexity and funding, so it’s best to start preparation now.

Is Your Business Ready for a Buyer’s Scrutiny? 

Now that it’s summer, it’s a great time to clean up the following: 

• Documentation gaps — lease agreements, vendor contracts, employee manuals
• Owner dependencies — start delegating now
• Operational blind spots — any incomplete SOPs, outdated tech, clunky processes?

If your goal is a sale this year, what you do from June until August can affect your valuation and buyer confidence in the fall.

Is Your Industry Seasonal, or Slow in Summer?

Some industries (e.g., HVAC, landscaping, tourism) hit peak demand in summer, while others (e.g., B2B services) experience a slowdown.

You’ll need to consider:

• When is it the easiest to step away or transition leadership?
• Whether your performance is peaking now so that it can support a higher asking price
• If seasonality could affect buyer interest or financing timing

If you're heading into a slow season, it would be best to use that time to prep for a well-timed fall listing.

Are You Emotionally Ready to Let Go, or Just Tired? 

Let’s be honest: are you strategically exiting, or reacting to burnout?

June is a great time to clarify:

• What you want next (retirement? A new business? To be less hands-on?)
• Whether you're willing to stay on temporarily post-sale to ensure a smooth transition
• What success looks to you — price alone isn't always the best measure

If you're on the fence, consider a no-cost business valuation with us or exit planning consultation to understand your options without committing right away.

Are You Telling the Right Story About Your Business? 

Financials matter, but so does the narrative. Ask yourself:

• What makes my business appealing to a buyer?
• What are the growth opportunities someone else can tap into?
• What would you do to expand or enhance your business if you weren’t selling?
• Why now?



If you’re planning to sell this year, now is the time to shape your story. Whether it’s about loyal customers, strong systems, unique positioning, or room to scale.

Planning Your Next Move? Start with a Smart Exit Strategy

The middle of the year is a great time to check in with yourself and your business. If selling has crossed your mind lately (or even if you’re just curious what that might look like), First Choice Business Brokers of The Triangle has curated a video playlist to help you explore your options.

Whether you're ready to move soon or simply planning ahead, it's never too early to get informed!

Featured Listing

Thanks for reading this month’s edition of the First Choice Triangle Tribune! Whether you're gearing up for a possible sale, making behind-the-scenes improvements, or simply pausing to rethink your path forward, remember: preparation today sets the stage for success tomorrow.

Until next month, here’s to clear goals, bold decisions, and strong finishes! 💼📈

Warm Regards,

Dale Brunelle
Business Broker