10. Stepping back and moving on

Some entrepreneurs stay with their businesses for ever. Most don't. They might see the chance to cash in and retire, they might get tempted by the opportunity to get involved in a new venture. Some get bored, because they've left behind the most exciting stage of the journey.

If you've long had a plan to sell, you will probably have faced up to the question of stepping back, at least to the likelihood your role will change after a sale; if you haven't, you may well be assuming you're going to be there for ever. But is that right for you? And, even more painful to contemplate, is it right for the business? The question of whether and how to step back and move on should never be far from the entrepreneurs mind.