pREPARE FOR exit and life after the business

YOUR CERTIFIED GUIDE TO A SUCCESSFUL transition

“The earlier you start preparing for an exit, the more likely it is that you’ll have a happy one.”
— Bo Burlingham, Finish Big

PREPARE FOR EXIT

YOU HAVE WORKED TOO HARD TO RISK IT ALL ON A BAD EXIT

Preparing for exit is business planning. It is also personal and emotional as it involves identity, values, and purpose in life after the business. Let us help you “regret proof” your inevitable exit.

ExitReadiness® ADVISOR™

Our Certified Exit Advisors provide personalized planning for when and how to exit — whether via sale to a third party, ESOP, transfer to insiders and/or children, or absentee ownership. By the way, you still need a plan if you’re transferring the business to your children!

ExitReadiness® BUSINESS CONTINUITY™

Create or review your plan for business continuance during unexpected events of death and permanent incapacity.

WILL YOUR BUSINESS CONTINUE IF YOU DO NOT?

PREPARE FOR LIFE AFTER THE BUSINESS

75% OF OWNERS ARE UNHAPPY WITHIN TWO YEARS OF LEAVING THE BUSINESS.

Purpose and meaning are essential for a happy life after the business. We can help prepare for a happy and fulfilling “NEXT ACT”.

ExitReadiness® NEXT ACT™

We will guide you through a process built on the Japanese philosophy of Ikigai, designed to help you explore new horizons, passions, and interests, and live a life of purpose and meaning beyond the business.

PREPARE THE BUSINESS

IS YOUR BUSINESS TRANSFERABLE?

Business Owners who build a transferable or sellable business have more exit options. We offer performance solutions to strengthen key drivers of a transferable business.

IS YOUR “FINANCIAL HOUSE” IN ORDER?

ExitReadiness® CASH FLOW™

Strong cash flow and financial performance are essential for building transferable or sellable business value.

ARE YOU CONSIDERING A NEW PARTNERSHIP?

The Partnership Charter

We can help you discuss and document all issues that impact a partnership and future success.

DO YOU HAVE A NEXT LEVEL MANAGEMENT TEAM?

ExitReadiness® NEXT LEVEL™

Building a transferable business requires a Management Team that can take your business to the next level of growth and scalability.

PREPARE YOUR SUCCESSOR

IS YOUR SUCCESSOR READY TO BE AN OWNER?

When transferring a business to key employees or family members, their preparation for ownership is essential for future success. We can help.

ExitReadiness® NEXT GEN™

We can help ensure your Successor's success and facilitate a smooth transition of your role and responsibilities.

ARE WE A GOOD MATCH FOR YOUR EXIT PREP?

1- ASSESSMENT

Click the START HERE button below to complete our 15-minute Exit Assessment. You will receive a 12-page report scoring you in four key planning categories: Finance, Planning, Revenue/Profitability, Operations. We do not ask for confidential information.

2 - CHAT

After reviewing your exit assessment, we’ll invite you to book a complimentary, obligation-free virtual meeting to review your assessment report. This helps us understand your exit readiness and ensure we’re a good match for what you want and need.

3 - PROPOSAL

If we believe we can partner with you in achieving your goals, the next step will be to provide a customized proposal with pricing for your consideration.

exit planning conversations with subject matter experts

Listen in as hosts Pat Ennis, CExP, and Walter Deyhle, CPA, discuss essential topics about planning a successful exit from your business with various subject matter experts.

BLOG POSTS

BLOG
To ESOP or not to ESOP...
Pat Ennis
To ESOP or not to ESOP...
Pat Ennis

An ESOP, or an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, can be an attractive exit route for business owners.  It can provide a path to “take chips off the table”, sustain the business culture, motivate employees, and ensure that employees have a future with the business.  Selling owners can also have more control over the timing of their departure from the business, with the most enticing aspect often being the favorable tax consequences of a transaction.

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Pat Ennis
Owners Think Differently
Pat Ennis
Owners Think Differently
Pat Ennis

Up until a successor takes over as an owner, they have typically only ever been an employee.  Therefore, it is critical to help them begin adopting an Owner’s Mindset prior to handing over the keys.

Owners and employees generally think differently.  I remember when I first became the owner of a company.  I co-owned a restaurant development company, where developed our own restaurant chain and also developed a territory for a national franchise.

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Pat Ennis
How Can My Employees Buy My Business?
Pat Ennis
How Can My Employees Buy My Business?
Pat Ennis

In some cases, employees are capable of successfully operating a business, but lack the capital to acquire it. This may become the last resort for a seller, who takes a note rather than close the doors. This approach leaves the seller in the role of silent partner, hoping that the employees can maintain the business well enough to pay the debt.

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Pat Ennis
The Hidden Gap in Business CONTINUITY Planning for Partner Disability
Pat Ennis
The Hidden Gap in Business CONTINUITY Planning for Partner Disability
Pat Ennis

In business succession planning, preparing for an owner’s death is standard, with buy-sell agreements outlining the steps to take. However, a partner’s permanent disability—a more likely scenario—is often overlooked, leaving businesses exposed to financial, legal, and operational risks.

Without a clear plan, a disability can disrupt ownership, strain cash flow, or lead to disputes. Disability Buy-Out (DBO) insurance addresses this gap by funding a buy-sell agreement when an owner becomes permanently disabled.

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Pat Ennis