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"SWEAT EQUITY PAYDAY" - the new book by Mark Hartmann - is now available!

  • Writer: Mark Hartmann, MBA
    Mark Hartmann, MBA
  • Jan 6
  • 2 min read

Updated: 20 hours ago

Person holds a book titled "Sweat Equity Payday" at a wooden table.

Selling your business is one of the most consequential decisions you’ll ever make.


You only do it once. The outcome is permanent.


Sweat Equity Payday was written for owners who want to understand what they actually have, how buyers will really see it, and what needs to happen before the market decides for them.


Most owners don’t fail at selling their business. They fail at preparing for it.


They wait until they’re tired, burned out, or reacting to an external trigger — a health issue, a partner conflict, a market shift — and only then begin asking questions about value, timing, and leverage. By that point, many of the most important decisions have already been made for them.


Sweat Equity Payday was written for owners who want to avoid that moment.


This isn’t a motivational book. It’s a practical guide to preparing for an exit that reflects the true value of what you’ve built — financially, operationally, and personally. The work starts long before a buyer appears, and the earlier it begins, the more control an owner keeps.

“This book is equal parts reality check and roadmap. Mark will challenge you, but he’ll also show you a way forward. You’ll come away not just with a list of to-dos, but with a deeper understanding of what it really takes to sell your business on your terms.”

— John Warrillow, Built to Sell


Sweat Equity Payday is available in paperback and Kindle formats.


Media Coverage

Sweat Equity Payday was recently featured by Authority Presswire. Read the coverage.



A professional headshot of Mark Hartmann, MBA - principal, business broker and M&A advisor at HartmannRhodes.

Mark Hartmann is a former business owner turned M&A advisor—and the author of Sweat Equity Payday—who knows firsthand what it takes to build, grow, and sell a successful company. A three-time Inc. 5000 CEO honoree, he led his own eight-figure sale and now helps business owners sell companies worth $1M to $25M. Mark understands that selling a business is personal, not just financial. That’s why he works closely with owners to maximize value, protect their legacy, and transition on their terms. 


He holds an MBA from Eastern University and a master's degree in organizational change management from St. Elizabeth University, as well as Certified M&A Professional (CM&AP), Certified Business Intermediary (CBI), Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), and Certified Value Builder (CVB) credentials.


Bar chart logo with orange and blue blocks beside "HARTMANN RHODES" in blue text, with an orange line beneath. Business theme.

44 Washington Street, Unit #1080

Morristown, NJ 07960

(855) 652-7577





HartmannRhodes advises owners of companies typically valued between $1–$25 million. If you’d like a structured pre-sale valuation review and a readiness roadmap, we can walk you through the process and tailor it to your timeline and goals. Contact us today!

Blog: SWEAT EQUITY PAYDAY is now available!

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