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Exit Planning for Business Owners

What is Exit Planning?

Exit Planning is the development and execution of a strategy that prepares the business and the owner for a future transition that maximizes values, improves transferability and is aligned with the owner's goals. An emphasis on improving the attractiveness and transferability of the business are cornerstones, while ensuring the business owner is properly prepared for when the process is complete. Integrating the plan, execution steps and owner's goals into a clear, achievable business strategy is the goal of the exit planning process.

What are my options for an exit and when is the right time?

These questions are common for every business owner, regardless of industry or size. Our process begins by addressing these questions, while also defining the business owner's goals and priorities.

Why is Exit Planning Necessary for All Business Owners?

The decision to exit your business (When, How, To Whom) is a decision best made without time constraints or external pressures that could ultimately dictate the outcome.


The risks of not preparing an exit plan until events make it an urgent priority can be costly for the business and the owner –

  1. A hastily developed plan that undermines opportunities to maximize value due to time and resource limitations, thus the business transitions below market valuations.
  2. An incomplete review of exit alternatives leading to an uninformed decision and potentially misalignment with the owner's goals and priorities.
  3. A poorly executed process that fails to achieve the owner's priorities and desired outcome, leading to owner remorse post-closing.


Having an advisor that is experienced in exit planning and business transitions is critical to executing a successful process. Our goal is to help ensure the years of dedicated work spent building the business are fully realized when the time comes to exit.


  • 70% - 80% of privately owned businesses put on the market do NOT sell
  • 30% of all family-owned businesses survive into the second generation; 12% survive into the third generation; and only 3% operate at the fourth generation and beyond

TNBB Exit Planning Solutions

Our Exit Planning Solutions aim to prepare the business and the owner for a future transition. We work with privately held business owners and family business owners in advance of beginning the transition process, at least three (3) years in advance.


Exit planning doesn’t require the owner begin the exit process. By merging the exit plan into the broader business strategy, we can better ensure the business and the owner are ready when that time comes.


Tennessee Business Brokers Group Exit Planning Solutions effort is led by a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) and is bespoke to each business and business owner. There is no single strategy or process for all.


Speak with our exit planning team and take control of your exit strategy.


To learn more, contact us today!

Contact John Kingston

Related Resources:


Exit Planning Institute, “The State of Owner Readiness Research”

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