Thread: Why Sell-Out on a 6-Figure Monthly Cash-Flow?

Excellent post. By the way, how many employees did you have when you sold the business or was it just you?

Great post, MJ!

This was definitely a question that was in the back of my mind. It seems that you made the right decision for yourself and the company.

Out of curiosity, why did it take two years between your decision to sell and the completion of the deal?

Great post MJ, that explains a lot. It's also interesting to see a couple of the funds you are in. Thanks

Another Question. Do you ever get the urge to start something new? A lot of entrepreneurs love the excitement of being an entrepreneur. I know it's about having free time to do what you want. I just feel that if my first product hit it really big and got me to my number, I still have so many other product ideas and I might feel empty inside if I just forgot about them. Do you ever get that feeling?

Originally Posted by MJDeMarco

4 employees.



Absolutely, everyday! However, right now my "entrepreneurial project" is this book. The process has paralleled entrepreneurship in every way since I own the publishing company and the book's success is 100% reliant on myself. Although I will whole-fully admit; I haven't been pushing it in a true "Chuma" mode.

You're doing a good job promoting it by having this forum. I never knew who you were, nor would I have probably seen your book if I hadn't stumbled upon this forum by searching about entrepreneurship. Now, I'm ordering it from Amazon with my next purchase. I wanted to finish a few other books that I was reading before I purchased yours.

MJ, thank you for sharing your 6 reasons.

Out of curiosity: are you willing to share with us how many copies of your book have been sold already and how many would you need to sell for you to feel that the book project is a success? Thank you.

Mj- I read your post about the 6 reasons to sell. It seems you were able to forecast the future of your business very accurately. I find that its difficult sometimes to try and step outside the box far enough in order to take an unbiased view at the industry in which you work or "dominate" in. What indicators did you look at in order to properly comprehend your market to make the predictions?

I was reading along with some of the forum members at limousinesonline.com and it seems many people have left limos.com after the new owners made the switch to the reservation service. Seems that the service level dropped when you sold out from what Ive noticed and many people dont convert the leads to well. As a business owner, its this negative reaction that I fear in terms of making large changes to an already profitable company. Currently, im in a similar niche and I struggle with these same thoughts daily.

Originally Posted by Toiletcake

What indicators did you look at in order to properly comprehend your market to make the predictions?

Reservation aggregation is the travel space was common -- airlines, hotels, rental cars -- it was yet to happen in my industry and it was a well-defined need without a solution. Consumers were expecting instant everything; from quotes to reservations. Eventually I figured, what consumers "expected/wanted" and what I provided, wouldn't match.

Originally Posted by Toiletcake

Seems that the service level dropped when you sold out from what Ive noticed and many people dont convert the leads to well.

Yup. I can't comment on the service specifically but you don't need to be a rocket scientist to figure out that the service levels when I owned it, to when the new management took over, "changed". The method of delivery was significantly changed. As for a negative reaction, there is only a negative reaction if the changes are negative. If the users feel a improved value equation, they won't care about new owners.

Hi MJ-

I want to thank you. You have awaken my desire to stop procrastinating and start producing.

I wanted to know more about you so I Google you. I found an interview you had March 31, 2011 with Andrew Warner, you were selling 1000 unit per month only through Amazon and you had not checked your Kindle account. I have similar question as HenkHolland, when will you know or feel that the book project is a success?