3 Reasons It May Be Time to Sell Your Business An inside look at the decision to move on.

The phone rings. It's Sergey from Google, Marissa from Yahoo or Tim from Apple saying, "I'd like to buy your business … is a zillion dollars enough?" And just like that: The decade of workaholism and takeout food has finally paid off.

Nice fantasy, sure. But here's how things really happen. You get approached by a potential buyer but can't get a straight answer on whether they're ready to put real money or stock against a fair acquisition. Or, the buyer is qualified but you're not ready to sell--and you're terrified that the opportunity will never come again.

Only you can decide what's right for you, but to help you negotiate the dance with a potential suitor or the decision paralysis from having a real offer on the table, here are a few factors to consider from people who've been through it before. Beyond a straight-up time-vs.-money analysis, there are some less quantifiable but equally important reasons to sell.