SWEAT EQUITY PAYDAY
Sell Your Business Smart.
Hit Your Number.
Exit on Your Terms.
Selling your business is one of the most consequential decisions you’ll ever make.
You only do it once — and the outcomes are permanent.
Sweat Equity Payday was written for business 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.
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.
"If you’re an owner who has spent years building something from nothing, you’ll see yourself in these pages. And if you’ve ever wondered what it would take to walk away proud—financially, emotionally, and personally ready—Mark’s experience will light the path."
— John Warrillow, Built to Sell
Written From Both Sides of the Table
Before advising other owners, Mark Hartmann built and sold his own company.
He’s been on both sides of the table — founder and dealmaker — and saw firsthand how often smart, hardworking owners leave value on the table simply because they waited too long or prepared too late.
Sweat Equity Payday exists to close that gap.
It walks through how to:
• Understand your true value (not just what you hope it’s worth)
• Identify risks buyers will see immediately
• Build leverage before you need it
• Avoid common mistakes that quietly erode outcomes
• Approach an exit with clarity instead of urgency
Because waiting is not neutral — and timing alone is not a strategy.
About the Author
Mark Hartmann, MBA is a mergers and acquisitions advisor based in New Jersey and the founder of HartmannRhodes. A Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) and Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), Mark works with business owners to prepare, position, and sell their companies for maximum value and peace of mind.
Sweat Equity Payday reflects the same clear-eyed, experience-driven approach he brings to every client engagement.
