Winding Up

This phrase may suggest to you that something quite exciting is about to happen, i.e. winding up a toy, winding up to swing, etc. But if your business is "winding up" you will probably experience a range of emotions that, without a doubt, does not include excitement.

Winding up means a business or organization is being dissolved and ultimately calling it quits. The process of winding up includes selling off assets (inventory typically) or dividing them among shareholders and paying off debt. If the term "liquidation" rings a bell for you, this is the same idea; referring directly to the processes that occur following the need, or perhaps the choice, to decease the conducting of business.