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Robust and mutual partnerships are the backbone of the exit planning ecosystem. Exit Planning Institute® (EPI) has created a network of tools and services providers to facilitate a collaborative community.
Collaboration among advisors and unique solution providers is essential to help business owners build transferable value while aligning business, personal, and financial goals. Certified Exit Planning Advisors (CEPA®) share a core methodology and guiding principle, but exit planning is not one-size-fits-all. It integrates multiple approaches.
Our Enterprise Partner Network is comprised of exit planning leaders who are committed to providing valuable tools and resources for advisors and owners. These partners walk in-step with EPI and DriveValue.com, creating the robust exit planning ecosystem that is necessary in today’s ever-changing business landscape.
Our Strategic Alliance Program will help advisors build out their teams with functional specialists, software tools, resources, and services to help grow their firms and find top professionals in the EPI network. This program provides advisors with a clearer understanding of the tools, resources, and education they can lean on to build a more successful, and significant, practice.
These community sponsors are integral members of the EPI Community. By contributing their expertise, resources, and perspective, they help advisors deepen their impact with business owners while fostering collaboration across the profession. Their involvement ensures that our community continues to grow, thrive, and create meaningful connections. We are grateful for their support in helping build a stronger, more connected community.
Through trusted partners, CEPAs gain tools, systems, and expertise to drive results through the Value Acceleration Methodology™️. From assessments and project management to marketing, education, and strategic advice, these resources equip CEPAs to better engage and support business owners.
Cornerstone Business Services is a boutique investment bank specializing in mergers and acquisitions for founder- and family-led businesses with annual revenues between $5 million and $150 million. Established in 2001 by Scott Bushkie, the firm is headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and operates across North America. Cornerstone offers services including company sales, acquisition searches, and fair market analyses, utilizing a proprietary Assurance 360™ process designed to maximize value and ensure successful deal closures. The firm is a founding member of the Cornerstone International Alliance, a global network dedicated to middle-market M&A. With a team of nearly 20 professionals, Cornerstone is committed to ethical practices and delivering superior results for its clients.
Cultivate Advisors is a business advisory firm dedicated to helping small business owners achieve sustainable growth and rediscover the joy of entrepreneurship. Founded in 2013 by Casey Clark and Dan Gramann, the company offers personalized, one-on-one advising tailored to each client's unique challenges and goals. Their advisors, all former business owners themselves, collaborate closely with clients to develop customized growth strategies across key areas such as financial management, sales, marketing, leadership, recruitment, and productivity. Utilizing their proprietary Propeller Methodology, Cultivate Advisors has helped clients in over 160 industries achieve an average of 43% top-line revenue growth and 65% bottom-line profit growth. By fostering a community of entrepreneurs and providing access to a wealth of resources, Cultivate Advisors empowers business owners to scale their operations and reach new heights.
Tell us a little about yourself in your own words. What’s your story?: Ninety is a company started by an ambitious founder and built by ambitious coaches, advisors, and consultants to support the small-medium business market of privately held companies that are looking to grow, scale and exit. Being listed as both a Top Place to Work and on the Inc 5000 we are proud of the work we are doing and especially the 13,000+ clients we are supporting.
How do you drive value for a business owner?: We bring the concepts of the management tools in the Value Acceleration Methodology into action via our software platform. The business owner can implement these tools themselves or by working with a CEPA Professional Advisor. This includes Personal, Financial, and Business Value Factors.
The power of our platform is the CEPA Professional Advisor can work strategically with their business owner, and see the most important growth levers and opportunities the business is working on and towards to be able to step in and provide real advice/impact/insight.
How and why would a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) engage you?: With 13,000+ business owner clients operating in our software today we understand and know the CEPA target client. It is our goal to work with the Exit Planning Institute to educate the market on the need for intentional exit planning which includes the implementation of the Value Acceleration Methodology. We have an existing Partner Program with 50+ CEPA’s currently enrolled and referring clients. We support/sponsor many go to market programs locally and nationally to raise awareness to the small medium business market owners.
Describe your ideal client profile.: We have two types of ideal clients. Business owners between 10 to 250 employees that are working to build, grow, scale and exit their organization. And Business Coaches of any BOS looking to operationalize their practice and support their clients more effectively.
Why did you choose to join the Exit Planning Institute Strategic Partnership Program?: We are strategically and culturally aligned in our values and purpose. Both organizations are growing significantly year over year and the synergies will only further propel the growth in the market.