As a business coach, I have a mantra that I tell all my clients. It is: YOU ARE NOT YOUR BUSINESS! You have an expiration date and your business doesn't need to. However, no matter how much I sing this song many women entrepreneurs emotionally cling to the business they started. What to do when you can't let go! 
I know well that starting a business is a complete high. When I started my own, I was never tired and worked most days from 4:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. I was networking day and night and never, and I truly mean never, lacked for energy, ideas or indecision. I just barreled ahead each day, moving at what often seemed like 100 miles per hour building my dream business. But, like most entrepreneurs, a day came when I slowed down long enough to contemplate MY future. In other words, I was not just interested in the future of the business.
I realized early on that my business could have a life of its own since not everyone who did business with the business knew me. What a shock! People, i.e. customers, actually liked the business without being my friend. Yes, I tell women entrepreneurs every day that not everyone who does business with you needs to be your friend or even likes you. Perhaps, they like your product or service and more than likely, if they keep returning, it benefits them in some way. Therefore, it is time you think about cutting those emotional ties with your baby which is your business!
I know how difficult this is. I have seen and worked with clients with businesses in the $100Ms who somehow cling to the idea that they are the only reason customers do business with the brand. Even Steve Jobs understood that the company could continue without his leadership. But, the question many ask is how?
First, women entrepreneurs must separate their personal lives from their business lives. This isn't just in the best interest for your business, but in YOUR best interest! If your personal life is completely entwined with the business you can't sever ties - EVER! A reminder YOU ARE NOT YOUR BUSINESS! Develop a personal life outside of work. Join organizations in your community and use your skills to help others or spend more time with family. The sooner you realize that you are more than your business you will be the richer for it.
Second, when you first think about selling or exiting from your business realize that it will take months if not years to complete the process. Although you may wake up one morning and say to yourself, "I'm done. I want to retire and have more free time. I think I'll sell the business." This statement, this thought, is only the beginning. It takes time, planning and a lot of effort to sell and exit from a business. Many businesses take from 3 to 7 years to sell - yes, even small businesses as the owner is required to stay on for a contracted time earning what is called an earn out to prove that the business can retain clients/customers even when the founder leaves. Once again, it is important to learn as a woman entrepreneur (or any entrepreneur, for that matter) that the business must be able to operate without you if you want to sell or exit.
Having been on both sides, as a business broker and a woman entrepreneur, I have witnessed the most amazing scenarios where entrepreneurs believe that their secret sauce can't exist without them or that the buyer believes only I can deliver results. The fact is if the business has value the founder/entrepreneur doesn't really matter if the transition is planned. The problem lies only with the entrepreneur who can't get out of her own way.
Finally, only you as a woman entrepreneur can determine what you want for your business. If you truly believe that only you can deliver the product and/or service that you have developed than you can close down your business when you get burnt out. But, if you believe you have created something that has value you have the power to sever yourself emotionally from the business and plan an exit. The choice is yours. What will you do?
