Can't echo enough the idea that your business, the one You built, was anything other successful. Letting it go now certainly has a negative emotional component , but don't think those years of productive entrepreneurship were without worth. Like everyone said, you earned your living and your employees did too, and the projects completed and appreciated , that is the real "stuff" and you did it. Good luck with whatever you set your mind on for the future, you are the kind of guy to it done, the evidence is in on that one. Your honest straight forward manner is going to appreciated by those receptive to it.