Built to Sell

In 'Built to Sell', John Warrillow reveals the blueprint for creating a business that thrives independently from its owner. Through the journey of a fictional ad agency owner, he lays out the essential steps to transform a service-based company into a sellable asset. Readers will uncover the common pitfalls that keep entrepreneurs tethered to their businesses and learn how to avoid them. With practical advice and actionable strategies, this book is a must-read for anyone dreaming of a lucrative exit. Discover how to build a business that's not just sustainable, but also irresistible to potential buyers.

By John Warrillow

Published: 2012

Built to SellBook binding

Start Listening

0:000:00
Mike & Casey Show Logo

The Mike & Casey Show

Dive into captivating book discussions with our expert hosts

You might also like →

EntreLeadershipBook binding

EntreLeadership

Dave Ramsey

Made in AmericaBook binding

Made in America

Claude S. Fischer

Shoe DogBook binding

Shoe Dog

Phil Knight

ReworkBook binding

Rework

Jason Fried, David Heinemeier Hansson

The Hard Thing About Hard ThingsBook binding

The Hard Thing About Hard Things

Ben Horowitz

The Startup WayBook binding

The Startup Way

Eric Ries

The 4-hour WorkweekBook binding

The 4-hour Workweek

Timothy Ferriss

The $100 StartupBook binding

The $100 Startup

Chris Guillebeau

100 Side HustlesBook binding

100 Side Hustles

Chris Guillebeau

Company of OneBook binding

Company of One

Paul Jarvis

The Founder's DilemmasBook binding

The Founder's Dilemmas

Noam Wasserman

Anything You WantBook binding

Anything You Want

Derek Sivers

The PayPal WarsBook binding

The PayPal Wars

Eric M. Jackson

This Is Not a T-ShirtBook binding

This Is Not a T-Shirt

Bobby Hundreds

Innovation and EntrepreneurshipBook binding

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Peter F. Drucker

Building on BedrockBook binding

Building on Bedrock

Derek Lidow

The Power of BrokeBook binding

The Power of Broke

Daymond John, Daniel Paisner

Business Model GenerationBook binding

Business Model Generation

Alexander Osterwalder, Yves Pigneur

It's Your BusinessBook binding

It's Your Business

JJ Ramberg, Lisa Everson, Frank Silverstein

The UpstartsBook binding

The Upstarts

Brad Stone

The Launch PadBook binding

The Launch Pad

Randall Stross

Am I Being Too Subtle?Book binding

Am I Being Too Subtle?

Sam Zell

Startup RisingBook binding

Startup Rising

Christopher Schröder

The Third WaveBook binding

The Third Wave

Steve Case

The Ten Commandments for Business FailureBook binding

The Ten Commandments for Business Failure

Donald R. Keough

Recapturing the Spirit of EnterpriseBook binding

Recapturing the Spirit of Enterprise

George F. Gilder

Beyond EntrepreneurshipBook binding

Beyond Entrepreneurship

James Charles Collins, William C. Lazier

Meaningful WorkBook binding

Meaningful Work

Shawn Askinosie, Lawren Askinosie

HustleBook binding

Hustle

Jesse Tevelow

What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business SchoolBook binding

What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School

Mark H. McCormack

Book Collections you might like →

Chris Guillebeau's Book Recommendations

Chris Guillebeau's Book Recommendations

Chris Guillebeau is a prolific author and entrepreneur best known for his New York Times bestselling book, "The $100 Startup," which has inspired countless individuals to pursue financial independence and entrepreneurial endeavors. He has traveled to every country in the world, a feat that underscores his commitment to unconventional living and exploration. Guillebeau's work often centers on the themes of personal freedom, creative self-employment, and adventure, as seen in his other notable books like "The Art of Non-Conformity" and "Born for This." He also founded the annual World Domination Summit, a gathering that encourages people to live remarkable lives. Through his writing and projects, Guillebeau has become a leading voice in the movement towards non-traditional career paths and lifestyle design.

View Collection
Naval Ravikant's Book Recommendations

Naval Ravikant's Book Recommendations

Naval Ravikant is an entrepreneur, angel investor, and philosopher, best known as the co-founder of AngelList, a platform that connects startups with investors. Ravikant is a prolific thinker and writer on topics such as startups, investing, and personal well-being, sharing his wisdom through essays, podcasts, and social media. He has invested in over 100 companies, including Uber, Twitter, and Yammer, making him one of Silicon Valley’s most successful angel investors. Ravikant is also known for his philosophical musings on wealth, happiness, and the meaning of life, which have garnered him a large and dedicated following.

View Collection
Drew Houston's Book Recommendations

Drew Houston's Book Recommendations

Drew Houston is an accomplished American entrepreneur best known for co-founding Dropbox, a widely-used cloud storage service, in 2007. As the CEO, he has led the company to serve millions of users worldwide and become a key player in the tech industry. Although not primarily known for literature, Houston has shared his entrepreneurial insights and experiences through various interviews and public speaking engagements, offering valuable lessons to aspiring business leaders. His work has significantly influenced the way people and organizations manage and share digital content. Houston's innovative vision continues to shape the future of cloud computing and digital collaboration.

View Collection
Gary Vaynerchuk's Book Recommendations

Gary Vaynerchuk's Book Recommendations

Gary Vaynerchuk, also known as GaryVee, is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and social media personality. He initially gained prominence through his family’s wine business, turning it into a digital juggernaut with his online content and wine reviews. Gary is now the CEO of VaynerMedia, a full-service digital agency, and has authored multiple bestsellers, including Crush It! and Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook. He is known for his blunt, motivational style and advice on business, marketing, and personal branding. Gary continues to inspire millions with his focus on hustle, entrepreneurship, and leveraging digital platforms for success.

View Collection
Andrew Chen's Book Recommendations

Andrew Chen's Book Recommendations

Andrew Chen is a venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and thought leader in growth marketing, currently serving as a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz. Chen is known for his expertise in network effects, viral growth strategies, and marketplace dynamics, making him a sought-after advisor for startups looking to scale. Prior to joining Andreessen Horowitz, he worked in leadership roles at Uber, helping to grow the ride-sharing platform’s user base and develop key growth strategies. Chen is also a prolific writer, sharing his insights on growth, technology, and startups through his popular blog and newsletter, which has attracted a loyal following in the tech community. His work has helped shape how many startups approach user acquisition, retention, and product-market fit. As a venture capitalist, Chen focuses on early-stage companies in the consumer internet, SaaS, and marketplace sectors, and he has been involved in funding and advising several successful startups. His insights on technology and growth continue to influence both founders and investors alike.

View Collection
Nick Huber's Book Recommendations

Nick Huber's Book Recommendations

Nick Huber is a renowned entrepreneur and writer, best known for his insightful contributions to the business and self-improvement literary genres. He gained widespread recognition through his practical advice and motivational content, which has empowered countless individuals to pursue personal and professional growth. Huber's notable works include a series of bestselling books that combine his entrepreneurial experience with actionable strategies for success. In addition to his writing, he is a sought-after speaker, sharing his expertise at various conferences and events. Huber's influence extends beyond literature, as he continues to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs and leaders.

View Collection
Alfred Lin's Book Recommendations

Alfred Lin's Book Recommendations

Alfred Lin is a venture capitalist and partner at Sequoia Capital, where he focuses on investments in consumer internet, enterprise, and mobile companies. Lin is known for his early investments in companies like Airbnb and DoorDash, helping them grow into major global brands. Before joining Sequoia, Lin was an executive at Zappos, where he worked closely with CEO Tony Hsieh to develop the company’s innovative culture and customer service model. Lin’s expertise in scaling businesses and his strategic vision have made him one of the most respected venture capitalists in Silicon Valley.

View Collection
Seth Godin's Book Recommendations

Seth Godin's Book Recommendations

Seth Godin is a prolific author and entrepreneur, renowned for his influential contributions to marketing and business thought leadership. He has written over 20 bestselling books, including "Purple Cow," "Linchpin," and "The Dip," which have revolutionized modern marketing strategies and inspired countless professionals. Godin's work emphasizes the importance of creativity, innovation, and the power of ideas in building successful enterprises. He is also the founder of altMBA, an online leadership and management workshop, and he consistently shares his insights through his popular daily blog. Godin's impact on the marketing world has earned him a spot in the Direct Marketing Hall of Fame.

View Collection
Adam Grant's Book Recommendations

Adam Grant's Book Recommendations

Adam Grant is a renowned organizational psychologist and bestselling author, celebrated for his influential work on motivation and workplace dynamics. He is a professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he has been the youngest tenured professor and earned numerous teaching awards. Grant's books, including "Give and Take," "Originals," and "Think Again," have been translated into multiple languages and have topped bestseller lists worldwide. His research and insights are frequently featured in major media outlets, and he hosts the popular podcast "WorkLife." Through his writing and speaking, Grant has profoundly impacted the fields of psychology, business, and education.

View Collection

Frequently Asked Questions