Yes. Sell-side advisory is part of what I do, including coaching the operator through diligence, sitting in on buyer meetings where useful, and structurally improving the metrics buyers actually look at before the process begins. The work breaks into three phases.
Pre-process (6-12 months before formal sale): structural improvement of the metrics that drive valuation. CAC, channelisation, retention at 30 and 90 days, VIP concentration risk, unit economics by market, regulatory position. Buyers diligence these metrics hard; operators that have not actively improved them are accepting valuation drag.
In-process (during the formal sale): preparation for management presentations, anticipating buyer questions, sitting in on operator-side preparation for diligence sessions, advising the founder or CEO on negotiating dynamics. Post-process (typically not needed if the sale completes cleanly): support during integration where useful. Sell-side advisory engagements are structured separately from operating retainers.
They have a defined endpoint (the transaction close or the decision not to proceed) and a clearer fee structure. Engagements typically run six to twelve months from start of formal preparation to close. The honest read on sell-side: most operators leave material valuation on the table because the metrics buyers care about have not been actively managed against.
The pre-process work is where the value is.