It's certainly possible to sell a business on your own; some owners do try. However, there are serious disadvantages to consider: Business sales are tricky to keep confidential, you run a serious risk that key employees will learn of the potential sale. The process is very time consuming, and is a serious distraction from operating your business. The process requires a large pool of qualified Buyers to have a reasonable chance of a successful sale. The best Brokers develop this pool over many years. First time Sellers are generally at a serious disadvantage during negotiations. Finally, laws governing business sales change over time, and practicing brokers have experience meeting these requirements. Trying to sell on your own usually isn't realistic or worth the risk for such an important transaction.