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How to get rich quick? Which exit strategy?

Author: Leon Harris

How do entrepreneurs succeed in business? Usually, it has little to do with luck, far more to do with preparation. Here’s our take:

Start-up with an irresistible idea:

Sometimes the idea involves a new invention. More often the idea involves spotting a niche to profitably exploit. The Oxford Dictionary defines a niche as specialized segment of the market for a particular kind of product or service. 

Approach:

A hands-on entrepreneurial approach is needed. This means taking the initiative, encouraging others and setting the pace by personal example. 

Strategy:

Business strategy typically involves exploiting the competitive advantages (or unique selling points) of a business by way of an irresistible offer to potential customers. The entrepreneur sets goals and a business plan to achieve them. 

Exit strategy:

Many entrepreneurs have an exit strategy. This identifies potential candidates who may become interested in buying such a business e.g. suppliers,  competitors, etc. Sometimes you woo them from the outset. Usually, you stay off their radar until your company is fully functioning and has something they must have – technology, market share, popular brand, etc. Until then, you prepare. 

Proof of concept (POC):

Before investing large amounts in a new concept, it is necessary to show the concept is feasible. 

Raise finance:

Persuade angel investors, venture capital funds and others to invest in further R&D and marketing

Milestones:

Usually dollops of investment funds are released if and when development and marketing milestones are met. This helps to incentivize the entrepreneur / company and minimize the investors’ risk.

Protection?

Where relevant, intellectual property should be protected by patents, copyright, etc.

Regulation?

If the product or service is subject to regulation, this should be arranged. It may take time. 

Management Team & CFO:

Investors are rarely interested in one-man bands. A good management team is needed, that includes both business and technical people. And investors are reluctant to hand over money to a company that lacks a chief financial officer (CFO) – typically an accountant. If the company is bootstrapping (i.e. has a limited budget), an outsourced or fractional CFO working for a limited number of hours per month may be appropriate.

ESOP:

To motivate employees, an employee share option/ownership plan (ESOP) is vital. This should be done in a tax efficient manner having regard to ESOP tax rules in each country concerned.

Advisory team:

Entrepreneurs are never afraid to take note of good advice from professional advisors before taking decisions. Some advisors function better if paid success fees….

Monitoring: 

Things rarely work out straight away. A good entrepreneur follows up with other people as needed. Then he/she monitors progress to date, learns lessons, and makes adjustments, to improve future progress. After that he/she monitors again to see if the adjustments worked as intended or not.

Do you need AI or people to get a business deal off the ground?

You need both. A good AI (artificial intelligence) agent may help provide an initial general picture and point out product strengths and weaknesses it is programmed for. But human specialists apply judgement and often notice specific aspects to consider. 

We strongly have a project management team with an experienced team leader to coordinate things. An appropriate team leader might be a senior executive, an accountant or lawyer or investment banker or an experienced M&A advisor (such as our firm….). 

What else?

Plenty, including good marketing and sales campaigns, marshalling resources and allies, using bargaining chips, etc. See other tips herein.

When does success kick in?

Typically, when the business is running like a well-oiled machine.

In conclusion:

Getting rich quick is not so easy. Often it doesn’t happen. We hope the above tips and others in this Guide will help you prepare. They are not exhaustive. 

For more information:

© All rights reserved, 20.5.2026. 

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