Exit & Succession Planning
Plan Your Exit. Protect Your Legacy.
Most business owners spend decades building something extraordinary — and less than a day planning how to leave it. A successful transition doesn't happen by accident. It requires years of intentional preparation, the right advisors, and a clear picture of what you want your life to look like on the other side.
The CEPA Difference
Curtis Gillman is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) — a credential held by fewer than 5,000 advisors worldwide and recognized as the gold standard in exit planning. The CEPA framework goes beyond the transaction. It integrates business, personal, and financial planning into a single, cohesive strategy built around your goals — not just the deal.
80%
of business owners have no written exit plan
20–30%
of businesses listed for sale actually sell
3–5 yrs
is the typical preparation timeline for a successful exit
Our Exit Planning Process
A structured, owner-first approach built on the Value Acceleration Methodology.
Discovery and Readiness Assessment
We start by understanding where you are — personally, financially, and operationally. This includes a business value assessment, a personal financial gap analysis, and an honest conversation about what a successful exit looks like for you and your family.
Value Acceleration
Most businesses aren't ready to sell — or transfer — at full value. We identify the gaps between where your business is today and where it needs to be, then build and execute a plan to close them. This phase typically takes 2–4 years and is where the most value is created.
Transition Path Selection
There is no single right answer. We help you evaluate every option — family succession, third-party sale, ESOP, or a hybrid approach — and select the path that best aligns with your goals, your timeline, and the needs of the people who depend on your business.
Execution and Advisor Coordination
A successful exit requires a team. We work alongside your attorney, CPA, financial planner, and M&A advisor to ensure every piece of the plan is aligned and executed in the right sequence — so nothing falls through the cracks at the moment it matters most.
Post-Transition Support
The work doesn't end at closing. Whether you're stepping back gradually, mentoring a successor, or navigating a full departure, we provide ongoing support to help you — and the business — thrive through the transition.
Transition Paths We Support
Family Succession
Passing the business to the next generation requires more than a legal transfer — it requires preparing the successor, aligning family expectations, and building a business that can thrive under new leadership.
Third-Party Sale
Whether selling to a strategic buyer, a private equity group, or an independent operator, preparation is everything. We help you build a business that commands a premium and attracts the right buyers.
Your exit plan starts with a conversation.
Whether your transition is five years away or fifteen, the best time to start planning is now. Reach out to schedule a confidential discovery call with Curtis.
Schedule a Discovery Call