Beyond the Usual
Partnership Options That Actually Work
Thinking about selling your business? Let's talk about what that actually means.
Most founders think the same way when it comes to an exit. We are all looking for that someone with deep pockets who writes a big cheque so that we can walk away with cash in the bank.
It's a lovely thought, isn't it? We read stories about it all the time. Or at least we think we do. The reality is that exits rarely happen this way, and all we are reading about are the one or two that happen to make it.
Less than 10% of businesses listed for sale really sell.
The odds are pretty slim for most companies.
You know it’s not working when
You've been "exploring options" for months without serious interest
Buyers keep asking for earnouts or extended transition periods
The due diligence process feels invasive and never-ending
Offers are significantly below your expectations
You're worried about what happens to your team and customers
The sale process is consuming more time than running the business
What if there is a different way?
What if, instead of waiting for that mythical cash buyer, you could partner with people who actually understand eCommerce businesses?
What if you could access value from your business while keeping your options open?
What if you could reduce your day-to-day involvement without losing control or equity permanently?
We offer partnership options that most founders never consider—because they work differently from traditional sales.
How Aurion partnerships actually work
Rather than preparing your business for an unknown buyer, we become your operational partner:
Start with Strategy Sprint – A 4-month engagement where we work together to identify opportunities and build systems.
Assess partnership fit – If there's mutual value, we explore equity partnership structures.
Create operational value – We implement systems that reduce your involvement while growing the business.
Maintain flexibility – You keep options for future buyout, buy-back, or continued partnership.
Share in the upside – As the business grows in value, we both benefit.
This isn't about maximising value for a future sale. It's about creating value together while giving you real options.
How this works in the real world
Before: Andrew and Charlotte had built something brilliant with Seven Yays—turning birthdays into entire 'BirthWEEKs' with seven gifts over seven days. A genuinely different concept that customers loved.
But they were drowning in the day-to-day operations. Andrew wanted to step back, but the business couldn't function without them. Growth had stalled despite more customers because of pricing pressures and cash flow constraints. Marketing felt expensive without clear returns. Operations were complex, and nothing was properly documented.
They had a cracking idea but were trapped in the weeds of running it.
After: We saw the magic in the 'BirthWEEK' concept and knew it was a perfect fit. Rather than a traditional sale, we structured a partnership where we took a 50% stake while Andrew and Charlotte retained theirs.
This wasn't about buying them out—it was about building something bigger together.
What does that look like practically? We've moved operations to our Liverpool facility. Michelle and Matt stepped into director roles, handling the daily operational burden. Andrew and Charlotte are supporting the handover while focusing on strategic direction.
Andrew now has the freedom to plan his next chapter, freed from the daily grind.
We're implementing our proven systems—proper financial controls, streamlined warehouse operations, and optimised marketing strategies. The brilliant concept now has the operational foundation to reach far more customers.
Most importantly, Andrew and Charlotte maintain their equity stake. We're all working towards future value creation together, whether that's through a group exit or other options we agree upon.
They contribute where they're strongest while we handle the scaling operations.
I wonder if that kind of partnership appeals more than waiting for a traditional buyer who might never appear?
Why partnership often works better than traditional sales
When you partner with operators who understand eCommerce, everything changes
Immediate value – Access value through partnership, not after a lengthy sale process
Operational expertise – Work with people who've built and scaled eCommerce businesses themselves
Flexible structures – Multiple exit options instead of all-or-nothing transactions
Continued involvement – Stay connected to what you've built while reducing daily burden
Shared risk and reward – Your partners only succeed when you succeed
The elephant in the room
Let's be honest about what you're probably thinking: "But I want cash, not more complexity."
We get it. The appeal of a clean exit is real.
But what if the choice isn't between cash now or complexity forever? What if it's between waiting indefinitely for an unlikely traditional sale or accessing value now while keeping your options open?
Many founders discover that partnership gives them what they actually wanted from a sale: less stress, more time, and financial benefit from what they've built.
The difference? You're not betting everything on finding that perfect cash buyer.
Our Process
01 | EVALUATE
We take an honest look at your business using our Slingshot Framework. No fluff, just clear assessment of what's working and what isn't. Quick wins become obvious. So do the bigger opportunities.
02 | ALIGN
Everyone points in the same direction. We nail down exit goals, timelines, and growth targets. Setting up the right board structure helps too. This clarity changes everything.
03 | BUILD
Rubber meets road. We implement the Slingshot Framework and get your systems humming. Every improvement builds value - both for today and tomorrow's exit.
04 | ACCELERATE
Monthly sprints tackle specific challenges. One month it's marketing, next it's operations or customer experience. Small improvements compound into big results.
05 | SCALE
Make your business less dependent on you and more valuable to buyers. Automate what works. Expand the team where needed. Tap new market opportunities.
06 | EXIT
Whether you're ready to sell or just keeping options open, we'll help maximise value. Multiple exit paths, clean financials, strong systems - everything buyers love to see.
Ready to Fuel Your Growth?
We don’t just give advice—we execute. Our team becomes an extension of yours, providing day-to-day support and strategic guidance. We focus on practical strategies that work, helping you scale without the chaos through structured growth that makes your business more valuable.
→ Book a Free Growth Strategy Call
Speak with our team to discuss your specific business needs and how Aurion can help you achieve your growth goals.
We're not brokers who've never run businesses.
We've built, operated, and yes—sold eCommerce businesses ourselves. We understand both the appeal and the reality of traditional exits.
That's why we developed a different approach. One that creates real value for founders without the uncertainty and complexity of traditional sales processes.
Because we believe you shouldn't have to choose between staying trapped in your business or giving it away for less than it's worth.