For Business Owners

You built something valuable.
Exit on your terms.

Most business owners spend decades building their company — and less than a week planning how to leave it. ExitSmarts changes that.

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80%

of a business owner's wealth is typically locked in a single asset — the business itself

50%

of business exits are involuntary — triggered by death, disability, divorce, distress, or disagreement

25%

average increase or more in sale price for owners who leveraged expert guidance vs. going it alone

The Reality

A great exit doesn't happen by accident

The difference between a great exit and a painful one almost always comes down to preparation — not luck, not timing. Owners who navigate transitions without losing everything are the ones who had a plan long before they needed it.

Most owners haven't documented how the business runs without them

Most don't know what their business is actually worth today

Most have never mapped the gap between current value and what they need

The five D's that force an exit

Death

Disability

Divorce

Distress

Disagreement

Half of all business transitions are triggered by one of these — circumstances no one plans for. The owners who come out whole are the ones who already had a plan before the crisis arrived.

How It Works

Your roadmap to a successful transition

ExitSmarts builds a customized, written exit plan that addresses your personal goals, financial needs, and business readiness — all at once. No generic templates. No one-size-fits-all advice.

Get Smart

We start with a readiness assessment, indication of value, and gap analysis so you know exactly where you stand and how far you need to go to reach your next chapter.

Build the Plan

A written, actionable roadmap covering 11 key areas — owner reliance, operational processes, valuation drivers, and more. Completed in 3–4 months.

Implement It

We work through the daily, weekly, and quarterly actions that grow your business value over time — so the plan doesn't just sit in a drawer.

More Than a Transaction

This isn't just about selling a business

For most owners, the business is their identity, their income, their legacy, and the thing they've sacrificed weekends and sleep to protect. An exit isn't just a financial transaction — it's one of the most significant decisions of your life.

ExitSmarts helps you get clear on what you actually want from life after the business — and builds a plan that makes that possible. Whether that's a full sale, a management buyout, a family transfer, or simply stepping back.

"By the time we completed together, it was clear to me that what I thought I wanted — a full sale of the business — was not the direction I needed to head in. Instead, I realized I simply needed to prepare the business and myself for a dramatic reduction in my workload."

— Training Company CEO, ExitSmarts Client

Common Questions

What business owners ask us first

I'm not planning to sell anytime soon. Is this still for me?+

Absolutely — in fact, the earlier you start, the more options you'll have. ExitSmarts clients who engage 3–5 years before a transition consistently achieve better outcomes than those who start in the final 12 months. An exit-ready business also simply runs better right now.

I don't know what my business is worth. Where do I even start?+

That's exactly where we start together. A readiness assessment, indication of value, and wealth gap analysis are core first steps in the ExitSmarts process — you'll have a clear, honest picture of where you stand before we build anything else.

What if I want to pass the business to family or a key employee?+

ExitSmarts supports all exit paths — third-party sale, family transfer, management buyout, ESOP, or simply stepping back from day-to-day operations. Every plan is customized to your goals, not a generic template.

Do I work directly with ExitSmarts, or through my existing advisor?+

Both. If you already have a trusted financial advisor, CPA, or attorney, we can work seamlessly alongside them. If you don't, we can connect you with the right specialists. Our goal is to make sure you're surrounded by the right team for your situation.

How long does the process take?+

Plan development typically takes 3–4 months. Implementation is an ongoing process — most clients work with ExitSmarts for 2–5 years, depending on how far they are from their target exit date and what changes need to be made to the business.

Client Stories

Owners who made the decision to start

★★★★★

"We were put in touch with ExitSmarts when we wanted to take our company to the next level. We were lost. We've worked together for nearly 4 years and are, flat out, a different company now. In one of our planning sessions, ExitSmarts facilitated a discussion about selling the business at some future date. Now, about two years after that discussion, we are about to sell the business for 10–15 million more than we had hoped."

Business Owner, 4-year client

Distribution Company

★★★★★

"ExitSmarts' proven process supported me to carefully think through my small business exit plan, and I am so grateful for how they walked me through it at the right pace. The whole process gave me a more well-rounded perspective about what I truly care about and want out of life — not just the transaction."

Business Owner, completed engagement

Training Company

You built something valuable.Exit on your terms.