Unless you plan to a) run the business until it fails, or b) pass it to your offspring, you're going to sell at some point, right? Given that, it makes sense to give at least some thought to what that point might look like before you get there.

I guess you're right; just sounds so sad to sell a company just when things are looking good...

It's sadder to have to sell when things are looking really bad.

Well, if someone want to buy my doomed company; that's not all sad :-)

Selling out in other industries is looked down upon (eg former indie musician selling out for a mainstream record contract), but business is, well, business. Better to be honest with yourself that your heart's no longer in it (if it's not), and sell to someone who is.

> Selling out in other industries is looked down upon

That is certainly true. When people have a ton of money and sell out for even more money, that's always somewhat looked down upon I guess? Either its Joe Rogan or Notch, it almost seems sad to see people want to get richer when they're already absurdly rich.

The strangest thing about wealth (or power) is that once you get it; you seem to loose control completely. From that point on; all you want is even more money or power.

There are probably many examples of people who managed to give up power or money, but the majority seem to want hang onto it...