She Said No...Then Sold the Business Anyway

Hey oh, Happy Friday. This weekend is the summer solstice, the official start of summer and the longest day of the year. More sun, more grilling, more “Why do we have to go to bed? It’s still light out!” (Me: Because it’s 9pm, son)… and yes, more time to get ghosted by owners who “aren’t ready to sell.”

But here’s the thing: “Not ready” doesn’t mean “never.”

This week, I’m sharing a real email exchange with an owner who said no to a buyer, then sold the business anyway. Her story is a tale of timing, legacy, and how to plant seeds now that grow into deals later.

Let’s get into it before the sun sets.

This week’s summer activity:

1. She Said No...Then Sold the Business Anyway (Here’s What We Can All Learn)

2. The legacy of fatherhood and ownership

She Said No...Then Sold the Business Anyway (Here’s What We Can All Learn)

The Email That Sparked It

I sent a cold email to Catherine, the longtime owner of sheet metal products company. It was short, warm, and real:

Her response?
“Thanks! I sold our 85-year-old company this past February!”

And while I didn’t get the deal, I did get something arguably more valuable, a peek behind the curtain of a successful, exit. Here’s what you can learn from it:

1. The Best Owners Don’t List. They Get Approached.

Catherine never listed her business. She wasn’t “for sale.”
But a buyer approached her. She declined.
Then… the buyer gently circled back 6 months later.

That persistence? It paid off—with a deal that checked every box.

Takeaway: You’re not too early—you’re probably too generic. Make the first impression, then play the long game.

2. Your First Email Isn’t a Pitch. It’s a Door Opener.

When I reached out, I wasn’t trying to close. I was trying to connect.

The lesson? Owners remember the humans who show up with curiosity and respect, not urgency and spreadsheets.

So make your emails sound like a neighbor, not some spam a robot wrote.

🤝 3. Legacy Matters More Than You Think

Catherine didn’t choose the highest bidder.
She chose the buyer who’d take care of her people.
That’s not just warm fuzzies—that’s a competitive advantage for solo searchers like us.

Lead with values. Back it with action.
Legacy isn’t a buzzword—it’s the closing clause.

The legacy of fatherhood and ownership

If you’re a dad like me, last weekend probably involved something you love, with (or without) your kids. I spent the morning fishing with my dad and my son. Three generations in one boat, catching bass and soaking up the time together doing something we love.

In the afternoon, I got time with my daughters. It was one of those rare days where everything aligned. Simple. Perfect.

Fatherhood is legacy work. So is small business ownership.

It’s not just about money, it’s about building something real. Something your kids can see, feel, and one day carry forward. That’s why I chose the ownership path. I want my kids to grow up watching me build, watching me take risks, and watching me create jobs and impact, not just chase titles.

Whether or not they ever step into the business, they'll know what it looks like to take ownership of your time, your values, and your life.

And if that’s not what legacy looks like, I don’t know what is.