Well, yesterday was the big day. After 12 years of building my landscape supply company, I signed the final papers. The closing itself was surprisingly anticlimactic, just a conference room, some lukewarm coffee, and a lot of signatures. But walking out of that lawyer's office, I felt this weird mix of relief and emptiness. The wire transfer hit my account about an hour later, which was the only real 'moment' of the day. Anyone else felt that strange hollow feeling after closing?
Closing Day
My experience on business sale closing day
The wire hitting is the only part that feels real. Everything else is just paper and forced smiles.
Hollow feeling? Nah, I popped a bottle of champagne in the parking lot. Different strokes I guess.
Closing day was a blur for me. I remember the buyer's attorney asking the same question three different ways, like he was hoping I'd slip up and admit the equipment was held together with duct tape. It wasn't, but the paranoia was real. The weirdest part was handing over the keys to the building. I physically felt lighter, but also like I'd just handed over my identity. Took me a week to stop reaching for my phone to check the business email.
You guys got a wire? I got a cashier's check and a handshake. Felt like I sold a used car.
At least a check doesn't get held up for 3 business days. I've heard horror stories of wires getting flagged.
Wait, check? Why not just ask for a briefcase of unmarked bills at that point?
Honestly the anticlimactic part is the worst. You build this thing for years, and it ends with a guy named Steve asking if you want a water bottle.
It's been 8 months since I cl osed and I still have dreams about the place. Grief is weird.