Hiring an Exit Strategy Advisor is the Smartest Move You Can Make
Jun 30, 2025
Entrepreneurship runs deep in my family — my grandparents on both sides as well as my father all forged their own paths to build a future and leave a legacy for their families. For many small business owners, the businesses they’ve built represent their life’s work — and their single largest asset. Yet when it comes time to exit, most owners are underprepared, both emotionally and financially. That’s where an Exit Strategy Advisor becomes indispensable and why I’m committed to helping other entrepreneurs.
Here are the top three reasons why engaging an experienced advisor well before your intended exit — ideally 3 to 5 years out — can significantly boost your outcome.
1. Maximize Business Value
An Exit Strategy Advisor helps uncover and unlock hidden value in your business — from identifying recurring revenue opportunities to strengthening customer concentration issues to improving operational efficiency. An advisor uses proven tools such as the Value Builder System™. This simple survey assesses your company’s current strengths and vulnerabilities, then guides you through strategic improvements to increase both EBITDA and multiple. Perhaps most importantly? You de-risk your business from any one person and forge a clear path for growth - an essential step to attract buyers and achieve premium valuation.
2. Create a Tax-Efficient Exit
Selling a business isn’t just about the sale price — it’s really about what you keep after taxes. A skilled Exit Strategy Advisor collaborates with your CPA, estate planner, and financial advisor to structure the exit in a way that minimizes tax liability. This might include pre-sale restructuring, trusts, or income deferral strategies. With proper planning, it’s possible to save hundreds of thousands — or even millions — of dollars in taxes. The result? You’re prepared for various exit paths (e.g., strategic sale, private equity, management buyout) and their unique financial implications.
The Value Builder Freedom Score helps you determine whether you’re financially prepared to sustain your desired lifestyle after you exit your business. The report encourages you to think about life beyond your business and create a roadmap to financial freedom.
3. Align Business Goals With Personal Aspirations
Exiting a business is as much a personal journey as it is a financial one. In fact, more than 70% of owners have regrets a year after they exit their business. Why? They underestimate the emotional impact of leaving behind their identity and purpose. Exit Strategy Advisors take a holistic approach, helping you articulate what life after business looks like. They guide you in defining personal goals, succession wishes, and lifestyle expectations, ensuring the exit supports not just your bank account, but your future happiness and fulfillment.
The Value Builder Pre-Score assesses whether you’re psychologically ready to exit your business, helping you avoid disappointment after the sale.
How sellable is your business?
Hiring an Exit Strategy Advisor isn’t just for those ready to sell tomorrow — it’s a strategic move for any owner aiming to create a more valuable, transferable business. With professional guidance, you gain clarity, reduce risk, and ensure you exit on your terms. If your horizon is within the next 5 years, the time to plan is now.
That’s why we’d like to invite you to join our next Value Builder Fast Track Mastermind cohort, an 8-week intensive.
What we’ll cover:
- How to build a business that doesn’t rely solely on you, but instead thrives when you take a step back
- Your business’ current worth and steps to create growth
- Reducing internal and financial risk
- Boosting cash flow, so you have flexibility to continue making smart moves and changes that build overall value
Learn even more about the series here. To register, click the button below and you’ll be redirected to our website and a simple form to complete. Be sure to choose "Value Builder Fast Track" from the drop down menu.
RESERVE YOUR SEAT
If you’ve already taken the three Value Builder Assessments, take the next step towards exit preparedness. Spots are limited to keep cohorts intimate — reserve your seat now.
Preston True
Preston True is the founder of Get TPA Fit, a rapidly growing business coaching and value-building firm. Based in Detroit, Michigan, TPA has worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs and leadership teams on day-to-day problem solving, business culture and long range vision, so they ultimately learn how to delete chaos, earn more and build value.
