I have started and sold several businesses in the past 12 years. I have owned and sold my parking businesses, fitness gyms, transporation companies, and senior health care service. I still have ownership in a couple companies and have vested interest in a new software company. I have had a lot of success in starting and selling businesses which got the attention of other business owners. They would always ask me how I sold my businesses so fast and how long had I been planning to sell. And what I told them might suprise some people. I told them that I am always willing to let go of my business because you never know when an external factor could force you to sell which could affect its value. My favorite saying is "When you are proactive you control the situation, when you are reactive, the situation controls you" which I feel applys to anybody who has never considered an exit strategy.