Build the business that gives you options – before you need them
This is not about selling your business.
It is about being able to do it on your terms – only if and when you are ready to make that big decision.
Most founders don’t wake up one day and decide to exit.
They wake up to a moment where options are limited – by age, energy, health, market timing, or unexpected pressure from a potential buyer offer that is way under their expectations.
Sadly, there is a big problem most founders don’t see coming
By the time many founders start thinking seriously about exit or succession:
- The business is too dependent on them
- Leverage sits with the buyer– not the founder
At that point, the outcome is often disappointing, rushed, or restrictive.
Not because the business isn’t good, but because it wasn’t designed for exit.
Exit is not an event. It is a strategy.
A strong exit is not created by:
- A broker listing
- A last-minute clean-up
- Or hoping the numbers speak for themselves
It is created by:
- Reducing strategic risk
- Building transferability
- Creating credible evidence of performance
- Designing the business so it works withoutyou
This is the work that determines value, multiples, and choice – long before a sale.
Who this advisory is for
Founder Exit Advisory is designed for founders who:
- Own businesses in the $2M–$10M+ range
- Are thinking about exit, succession, or partial liquidityin the next 2–5 years
- Want options, not pressure
- Care about legacy, team continuity, and value, not just price
- Know that ‘waiting until later’ gradually reduces leverage
If you’re not sure when or how you’ll exit – but you know you don’t want to be forced – you’re in the right place.
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How I work with founders
Every founder’s exit path is different – but the strategic principles are the same.
Over the years, I’ve worked with founders across multiple industries – service and product based – helping them grow, become exit-ready, and retain choice in the process.
I work with founders well before a transaction to help them design an exit-ready business.
This is not about rushing toward a sale. It is all about putting you back in control.
Together, we focus on:
Reducing founder dependency – So the business performs without you being central to every decision.
Increasing transferability – Ensuring value can move cleanly from founder to buyer, successor, or investor.
Strengthening strategic value – Clarifying what makes your business attractive – and to which buyers.
Building evidence, not stories – So value is provable, not assumed, during due diligence.
Creating real options – Full exit, partial liquidity, succession, or staying involved – on your terms.
What makes this different – Founder Exit Advisory is strategic, not transactional.
Much of this work involves decisions that materially affect long-term value, control, and legacy – and requires calm thinking when the stakes are high.
What outcomes can you expect?
Founders typically come to me for this advice to seek clarity.
They leave with:
- A business that is less risky and more valuable
- Clear exit and succession pathways
- Confidence in future decisions
- Greater freedom now, not just later
- The ability to choose timing, structure, and outcome
This is about option creation, not urgency.
I only work with a small number of Founder Exit Advisory clients each year, due to the bespoke and high-touch nature of the engagement. If you’re considering this now, let’s talk.
Engagement structure
Founder Exit Advisory is offered as a high-touch strategic advisory engagement, tailored to the stage and complexity of your business.
Typically includes:
- Deep strategic assessment of exit readiness
- Ongoing advisory support (not one-off advice)
- CEO-level thinking, not templates or checklists
- Long-term perspective aligned to your goals
The right time to start is earlier than you think
The most expensive mistake founders make is waiting until exit feels close.
The best outcomes come from founders who start before they need to —
while there is still time to design, strengthen, and de-risk.
If you want freedom, choice, and control, let’s talk
Founder Exit Advisory is not for everyone.
But, if you’re serious about building a business that gives you exit options, I’d be happy to explore whether this is the right fit.
→ Enquire about Founder Exit Advisory
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Frequently Asked Questions
No.
This work is designed for founders who want options — not pressure.
Some founders exit in 12–24 months. Others may be 5+ years away. The earlier you start, the more leverage you have.
Yes – and that is often the ideal time.
Exit readiness is not about leaving; it’s about reducing risk and creating freedom while you’re still fully engaged.
That is very common.
Exit readiness applies equally to succession, management buy-ins, partial liquidity, or staying involved on different terms.
The strategy adapts – the objective stays the same: to give you choice.
No. I leave that to the specialists in those areas.
My role is to work solely with you, helping you design a business that is genuinely exit-ready before a transaction is on the table.
It is determined at the time for each client. Initially we will develop a bespoke benchmark of value, risk and exit readiness in your business. Having completed that, we will then move toward implementing the strategies to drive premium value, in preparation for a future exit.
I aim for at least 5 times return on the fees, to deliver against a justifiable investment.
This is a high-touch strategic advisory relationship, not a one-off report or program.
Most engagements include:
- A deep exit readiness and value assessment
- Ongoing strategic advisory over time
- CEO-level thinking across people, structure, value, and risk
- Support as decisions evolve, not just at a single point in time
The structure is tailored based on complexity and goals.
Many founders work with me over multiple years, with a typical duration being 2-3 years.
Strategy has to evolve and shift, and my role is to support you through those decisions as the stakes increase.
Traditional exit planning often starts too late and focuses on the transaction.
Founder Exit Advisory focuses on the value drivers and strategy to deliver an optimal outcome, whether you stay and scale, or if you exit:
This is about designing the business to give you freedom of choice, not preparing a listing.
Founder Exit Advisory is best suited to founders of $2M–$10M+ businesses who:
- Care about long-term value
- Want clarity before urgency
Are open to thinking strategically, not reactively
