Before the Clock Decides
Every business eventually reaches one of three endings:
It closes. It sells. Or it’s passed down.
Most owners don’t choose the ending they get—time chooses it for them.
This book is your chance to change that.
Before the Clock Decides is a clear, honest guide for business owners who have carried the weight of their company for years and know, deep down, that the next chapter won’t write itself. It’s written for the owner who wants to finish well, protect their family, and create a future that feels intentional—not accidental.
Inside, you’ll learn how to:
Understand what your business is truly worth
Raise your valuation using five proven value levers
Build an owner-optional company buyers trust
Avoid the hidden risks that can destroy value overnight
Create a 2–10 year plan for a successful exit
Choose your ending instead of having it chosen for you
This isn’t theory. It’s what I’ve seen firsthand after two decades in the room with owners during their most important decisions—the victories, the regrets, the blind spots, and the turning points.
If you’re a business owner who feels the pressure of time, this book will give you clarity, direction, and a plan you can trust.
**Your final chapter is coming.
The question is whether you will design it…
or the clock will.**
About the Author
Mike Steward is a business broker, coach, and advisor who has spent more than two decades helping entrepreneurs protect what they’ve built and design their next chapter with intention. As the founder of Vision Fox Business Advisors, Mike has guided hundreds of owners through valuations, growth decisions, succession planning, and high-stakes exits across multiple industries.
He combines real-world experience with a steady, human approach to the emotional side of entrepreneurship. Mike has started, grown, and sold companies himself, and he understands the weight owners carry — the long hours, the pressure of payroll, and the fear of what happens when the business no longer depends on them… or can’t.
A Certified Franchise Executive (CFE), licensed business broker in multiple states, and certified business and life coach, Mike blends practical strategy with grounded clarity. His mission is simple: to help business owners finish well — with confidence, freedom, and a plan they can trust.
Before the Clock Decides is the book built from everything he’s learned in the room with real business owners during their biggest decisions. It’s written for the owners who know time won’t wait — and want to take control before the clock decides for them.
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