A playbook for business owners planning their exit
Plan your exit,
then play it out.
Strategies and ideas for exit readiness and timeline, valuation drivers, exit options, deal structure, tax planning around a sale, due diligence and life after exit — reviewed personally, with the next step at Exit Optimization.
I’m looking for a exit advisor
I'm planning to exit my business
Answer a few quick questions — what you need, what’s in the way, how you like to meet. We match you with exit advisors who fit.
Request the exit playbook white paperI’m a exit advisor
I'm an exit advisor
A verified profile, business owners matched to your specialties, programs and events, and your own back office and CRM.
List in the exit advisor directoryHow matching works
Start with what you need — we’ll find the exit advisor.
01
Tell us what you need
What you’re looking for, what’s in the way, and how you like to meet — phone, video call and in person.
02
We match on fit
Specialties, the people they work with, credentials and format.
03
You choose who to hear from
See why each exit advisor fits. Pick who may contact you — nothing is shared without your say-so.
3 areas of focus
Exit strategy, Deal execution and Life after exit.
Exit strategy
Exit readiness & timeline planning and Valuation readiness.
2 kinds →
Deal execution
Strategic sale & private equity sale advisory, ESOP & management buyout advisory, Family succession planning, IPO readiness advisory, Deal structure advisory, Tax planning coordination around a sale and Due diligence preparation.
7 kinds →
Life after exit
Life after exit planning.
1 kinds →
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Where do you want to start?
Exit readiness & timeline
When to start planning an exit and what "ready" actually looks like.
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Valuation drivers
The operational and financial factors that shape how a business is perceived by buyers.
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Exit options
Strategic sale, private equity, ESOP, management buyout, family succession and IPO — compared side by side.
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Deal structure
How earn-outs, seller financing and rollover equity shape what a seller actually receives.
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Tax planning around a sale
General terminology around taxes on a sale — QSBS and installment sales — not tax advice.
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Due diligence prep
Getting records, data and operations ready before a buyer looks under the hood.
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Life after exit
Wealth, identity and purpose after the business is sold.
Explore
Who we help
Wherever you’re starting from.
Owners nearing retirement
a clear path to step away on their own timeline
Founders weighing a sale
a structured look at strategic and private equity buyers
Family business owners
a succession plan that keeps the business in the family
Owners courted by private equity
an independent read before responding to an offer
Partners and co-owners
a buyout structure that's fair to everyone involved
Owners without an identified successor
options beyond a family or internal transition
High-growth founders considering an IPO
a comparison of going public versus a private sale
Honest listings
Exit advisors, clearly labeled.
- Credentials shown plainly. Licenses, certifications and trainings are listed as each exit advisor provides them and checked where possible.
- You stay in control. Nothing you share goes to a exit advisor until you choose who may contact you.
- Your details stay private. We don’t sell your information.
- No miracle promises. Exit advisors may not promise guaranteed outcomes.
For exit advisors
Your business, with a back office.
A verified profile, business owners matched to your specialties, programs and events, and a CRM to follow up.
Matched requests
People choose you — you have 48 hours to reach out.
Your own CRM
Every request, stage, note and follow-up in one place.
Programs & events
Sessions, group programs, workshops and courses.
Credential badge
Licenses, certifications and trainings shown clearly.
Exit advisor listing
Free
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Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is business exit planning?
Business exit planning is the process of preparing a company and its owner, well in advance, for a future sale, succession or ownership transition — covering timing, value drivers, exit options, deal structure and what comes after. It is educational content, not legal, tax or investment advice.
What happens when I request the exit playbook white paper?
Your request goes directly to The Post-Exit Playbook — it's reviewed personally, you'll receive an email confirming the request, and it's added to our CRM so we can follow up. There's no automated matching or bidding process.
Which exit option is right for my business?
It depends on your goals, your industry and your timeline — strategic sale, private equity, an ESOP, a management buyout, family succession and an IPO each trade off differently on price, control, speed and legacy. The playbook explains how each works; a licensed advisor can help you weigh them for your specific situation.
What's the difference between an earn-out, seller financing and rollover equity?
All three are ways a buyer and seller can structure part of the purchase price instead of paying it entirely in cash at closing — an earn-out ties part of the price to future performance, seller financing has the seller act as a lender, and rollover equity has the seller keep a stake in the new ownership structure. Exact terms vary deal to deal and should be reviewed with your own deal counsel.
Does the playbook cover taxes on a sale, like QSBS?
The playbook describes commonly discussed concepts — like the Qualified Small Business Stock exclusion and installment sales — only in general terms. It is not tax advice, and you should confirm how any of it applies to you with your own CPA or tax attorney.
Is this investment, legal or tax advice?
No. The Post-Exit Playbook provides educational content about exit planning strategies and concepts only — never investment, legal or tax advice, and never a valuation of your business — so confirm any decision with your own licensed advisors.
Can exit advisors list on this site?
Yes. Exit advisors can create a free profile in the directory, but listing is optional — business owners can request the white paper directly without going through a specific advisor.