Exit Planning Institute - Partner Network

BizEquity

How do you drive value for a business owner?

The vast majority of business owners rely on the sale of their business to fund their retirement. Yet most do not know the value of their business, and those that do spend far too much time and money getting that valuation created. With BizEquity, not only do business owners get an on-demand, accurate estimate of value that adjusts as their business evolves, but they also get deeper insights into the details of their valuation.

What value do you bring to a Certified Exit Planning Advisor?

BizEquity enables CEPAs to become their client’s most valued advisor by providing each advisor with their own white-labeled instance of our patented valuation platform. Within their unique instance of the platform, CEPAs can "automate the triggering event" by engaging business owners with real-time valuation insights, benchmark each business to its peers using a library of industry-specific KPIs, run personalized valuation reports in seconds, and prospect for new clients via a proprietary database of business owners.

How and why would a CEPA engage you?

As the only patented online business valuation platform, BizEquity is an excellent vehicle for CEPAs to differentiate themselves, add value to their existing client relationships, and attract new business owners to their firms. To learn more about the platform and how it can revolutionize your business, you can visit bizequity.com, email info@bizequity.com, or call 844-249-3789.

Why should a CEPA recommend you?

As the leader in online business valuations, BizEquity works with hundreds of the most notable financial institutions and has valued millions of businesses worldwide. CEPAs in particular have realized ROI within weeks of using the platform by demonstrating to their clients a deep understanding of the value of their business and that value’s impact on their financial plan.

Describe your ideal client profile.

BizEquity works best with Exit Planners looking to grow their business and improve client services at scale. Whether they run valuations today and need to be more efficient or are looking for a simple way to add accuracy and enhanced services to their financial plans, the BizEquity platform is the only platform that enables them to answer their business owner clients’ most pressing question: “What is my business worth?”

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How do you drive value for a business owner?

Capitaliz is a leading digital platform to deliver business valuation, succession, and exit planning outcomes. Created by exit and succession planning veterans, Capitaliz is built with an understanding of exit strategies and proven methodologies to accelerate business value and improve outcomes for private business owners in collaboration with CEPAs.

What value do you bring to a Certified Exit Planning Advisor?

Capitaliz allows CEPAs to deliver advice at scale, with efficient analysis, collaboration, and administration features. Core to the platform is a unique 21-step approach evaluating all parts of a client's business utilizing financial, non-financial, and benchmarking data. Embedded proprietary methodologies then accelerate business value, minimize risk, and improve outcomes. The incremental value generated is tracked in real time via Dynamic Revaluation allowing CEPAs to justify the positive ROI of their advice easily.

How and why would a CEPA engage you?

CEPAs looking for a market-leading digital tool that enables Value Acceleration Methodology and creates efficiency within their practice should consider Capitaliz. For a personalized or self-guided demonstration of the platform, please visit: https://www.capitaliz.com/book-demo/

Why should a CEPA recommend you?

CEPAs should promote Capitaliz as a point of difference to their clients. By working with a CEPA and Capitaliz, business owners can be assured they have the best available resources to maximize the value of their business.

Describe your ideal client profile.

Capitaliz is designed to service mid-market and lower mid-market privately owned businesses, with owners looking to better understand the current or potential value of their business. The product can further enable owners and CEPAs looking to accelerate value to maximize value potential.

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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

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.

ExitSmarts- Summit Logo Our business is based on the ExitSmarts Business Transition System, which we developed for Business Owners with annual revenues of $20 million and below, although larger companies can benefit from it, depending on their existing structure and operating profile.

To learn more about ExitSmarts®, find more information here.

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How do you drive value for a business owner?
We provide a structured discovery system designed to help a business owner determine goals, objectives, and a Personal Vision when undertaking the process of exit planning.

What value do you bring to a Certified Exit Planning Advisor?

We are the first step (Discovery) that leads to a triggering event. Our step-by-step process is designed to complement any advisor.

How and why would a CEPA engage you?

ExitMap is a subscription-based software with hands-on coaching support that helps advisors who want a better way to begin exit planning conversations, engage clients in fee-based advisory work, and are willing to work side-by-side with clients in their discovery journey.

Why should a CEPA recommend you?

Because he or she has used our tools and gotten exceptional results in building stronger client relationships.

Describe your ideal client profile

An advisor who is committed to going beyond just getting an owner out of the company, and is focused on delivering long-term planning that leads to a rewarding life after the business.

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How do you drive value for a business owner?

Maus strategic and exit planning software offers business owners a user-friendly platform to create and execute exit plans. Benefits include a clear understanding their business’s value, maximizing business value by addressing weaknesses, learning what makes their business attractive to buyers, and integrating the globally recognized Value Acceleration Methodology (VAM). Maus enables effective exit planning, ensuring long-term business success as well as salability.

What value do you bring to a Certified Exit Planning Advisor?

Maus offers Certified Exit Planning Advisors (CEPA) value by aligning with the Value Acceleration Methodology (VAM) and CEPA curriculum. The platform automates triggering events, generates insightful reports, and systemizes service offerings for consistency. It provides valuation tools, reports, and business insights. CEPAs using Maus can distinguish themselves, create engagement with business owners, and expand their referral network, ultimately differentiating their services and fostering growth in the competitive market.

How and why would a CEPA engage you?

Advisors choose Maus when they want to align closely with the Value Acceleration Methodology. Specifically designed for CEPAs, Maus aligns with the triggering event, streamlining value acceleration with automated workflows and reports. Maus empowers CEPAs with specific workflows for both quarterbacks and value advisors. Integration with QuickBooks and Xero ensures accurate financial forecasts. Additionally, Maus offers a plethora of marketing tools, reports, and valuation capabilities, enabling successful exits and expanding the referral network for CEPAs.

Why should a CEPA recommend you?

Maus believes in enabling the success of advisors by providing tools that commercialize what they have learned with EPI. Beyond our software products, advisors endorse Maus for its exceptional customer success team, providing continuous support and training materials. Offering a risk-free experience, Maus provides a free trial and discounts specifically for CEPAs. Compliant with the Exit Planning Institute’s Value Acceleration Methodology, Maus is Award-winning and globally trusted, with offices in the US, Europe, and Australia.

Describe your ideal client profile.

Maus caters to a diverse set of exit planners, including financial advisors seeking to guide clients toward exit readiness and expanding their advisory network. CPA firms benefit by elevating their services with customized strategic and exit planning solutions. Banks provide value-added services that engage business customers while providing financial services. Business value advisors utilize Maus to apply the proven Value Acceleration Methodology, delivering high-quality services, generating recurring revenue, and fostering long-term client relationships.

Mavrek

Mavrek is the all-in-one transaction advisory software designed to navigate small to midsize business owners and their advisors (CEPAs, CPAs, financial advisors, etc.) through the sale or purchase of a business from start to finish. Designed by investment bankers with over 25+ years of mergers & acquisitions (M&A) experience, the Mavrek software is revolutionizing the small business M&A industry. Fully equipped with a linear, step-by-step process equipped with every tool, template, and task needed to manage the process, the highly intuitive nature of the Mavrek software makes the process easier for all parties involved.

Not only does the software help business owners and improve their chances of successful deal close by providing a streamlined solution, but business advisors (CEPAs) are using Mavrek as an advisory tool to provide continuity to clients after an exit planning engagement and generate significant advisory revenue for their firm. Currently, over 75% of all small business sale attempts fail to close successfully due to lack of tools and resources. Mavrek is the solution.

To learn more about Mavrek, find more information here.

Quist

How do you drive value for a business owner?

Quist is a full-service business valuation firm providing actionable insights to improve management decision-making, valuation, and company performance. Quist’s comprehensive valuation services and software solutions position owners to achieve their goals at any stage of their journey from Discovery to Exit. Our team of valuation specialists helps owners understand a business's tangible and intangible drivers.

What value do you bring to a Certified Exit Planning Advisor?

Quist provides CEPAs with a single source of valuation expertise throughout the owner’s journey. We offer an array of valuation services including our Quist Insights platform (Spotlight™ and Advanced™) that assists CEPAs during the Discovery process, and Certified Valuations to assist clients with needs such as shareholder buy in/out arrangements, phantom equity plans, and wealth transfer planning.

How and why would a CEPA engage you?

We recommend that CEPAs start by engaging with our Spotlight™ solution that estimates a business’s range of value and assesses Owner Readiness and Business Attractiveness. Spotlight™ provides CEPAs with a simple and fast tool to begin conversations with owners. For CEPAs who are Value Advisors, the next step may be our Advanced™ solutions that provide an action plan to close an owner’s Value Gap. Alternatively, Quist can play a more active role through a full-service certified valuation engagement.

Why should a CEPA recommend you?

Quist has 40+ years of valuation experience with certified analysts, holding the CFA and ASA credentials. Our valuations withstand the highest scrutiny from the IRS, the SEC, and CPA firms. We work with a wide range of companies from start-up businesses to family-owned companies. Quist provides a disciplined, consistent approach to our valuation engagements to ensure an efficient process and high-quality report.

Describe your ideal client profile

A business owner who desires to build a company with transferable value. Our ideal business owner tends to have complex needs due to either being a family-owned business or having raised capital from outside investors.

Our ideal CEPA is a Value/Growth Advisor or Quarterback who wants to leverage the expertise and experience of valuation specialists.

MyBizValue

How do you drive value for a business owner?

We offer affordable business valuation services with rock-solid value numbers.

What value do you bring to a Certified Exit Planning Advisor?

My Biz Value is involved in the Triggering Event. They not only value but assist in the planning process with the client.

How and why would a CEPA engage you?

Visit the My Biz Value website, email, or call Rick Krebs, to see how a CEPA can best engage My Biz Value.

Why should a CEPA recommend you?

They add tremendous value and experience to the transaction in the early stage and the selling stage of the transaction.

Describe your ideal client profile

Business owners with Revenue from $100,000 to $40 Million.

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How do you drive value for a business owner?

We have a statistically proven methodology for increasing the value of a company. Owners achieve this by first completing their Value Builder Questionnaire to identify their Value Builder Score. By using our 12 modules, owners who improve their score to 80 or above yield acquisition offers a 71% above average. In addition, our Discovery Questionnaires help owners objectively quantify an owner’s personal, financial, and business readiness to exit.

What value do you bring to a Certified Exit Planning Advisor?

You get the tools and content to find, win, and keep more clients. First, leverage data-driven content that is tested and optimized by a panel of 25,000 business owners. Our Discovery Questionnaires give you a three-dimensional view of an owner and uncover how your services can help overcome obstacles they face. Lastly, CEPAs give their clients an estimate of value to set a baseline valuation, while using our 12 value-building modules to increase it.

How and why would a CEPA engage you?

We offer a subscription to our software solution that includes training, and access to a library of content and tools. CEPAs come to Value Builder because they need done-for-you marketing content that’s statistically proven to resonate with owners, and tools to benchmark an owner and their business. Our questionnaires and coaching modules also complement EPI’s Value Acceleration Methodology.

Describe your ideal client profile.

Advisors: Business coaches, management consultants, financial advisors, wealth managers, accountants, and business brokers who work directly with business owners. Typically, you’ll have 2-10 employees and own a boutique advisory firm.

How do you drive value for a business owner?

We have established a transformative process starting with a company’s leadership team. Together they discover how each perceives the company's strengths and weaknesses differently. By the end, companies are more disciplined, focused, and aligned in terms of where they are going and how they are going to get there. Results show companies often reposition themselves in the marketplace, grow faster, gain margin & profit expansion, and increase their value.

What value do you bring to a Certified Exit Planning Advisor?

Exit Planning focuses on the business owner’s financial picture. It helps answer important questions: What does the owner need to retire? What are the current exit options? How can the CEPA support them to an exit? Our Value Opportunity Profile (VOP) software focuses on the business itself, which is typically the owner’s largest asset. The VOP Software highlights the current state of the business and guides the company to achieve its goals. We teach the skills and framework to implement a roadmap to maximize business value.

How and why would a CEPA engage you?

Reach out through our website: www.corporatevalue.net

Let's start the discussion to enhance your exit planning practice using our powerful Value Opportunity Profile (VOP) software which will support you while guiding business owners toward a successful, meaningful exit.

Why should a CEPA recommend you?

CEPAs who become VOP practitioners tell us the CEPA/VOP combination is a powerful market differentiator and transformative to their practice. The combination creates a market advantage when engaging clients. Alternatively, if CEPAs see their client benefiting from Value Growth services, CVM can provide in-house support on a referral basis. Let’s work together to prepare both the owner and the business for a successful exit.

Describe your ideal client profile.

The VOP software and concepts are scalable to meet the needs of companies across various industries. For CEPAs who want their clients to benefit from Value Growth services, but prefer to refer, we have several ways to collaborate, including partnering on engagements and/or fee-sharing referrals.

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How do you drive value for a business owner?

Alliance drives value to business owners by providing the necessary services for the sale and transfer of their business: Trust Administration. A well-crafted succession plan will always have a Trust as one component of the strategy. The Trustee’s role in the plan must be executed with the necessary knowledge and experience Alliance brings. Our Trustees will work seamlessly with the advisory team and serve the business owners' needs in a manner that makes the transition easier and as stress-free as possible.

What value do you bring to a Certified Exit Planning Advisor?

Alliance has experience with clients from all over the world and with nearly every type of asset a client might own. Many complexities are involved when selling a business and due to the team Alliance has assembled and the experience they bring, a CEPA can contact a member of our team and between the various team members we will have an answer. Our team has legal, financial, and accounting experience dealing with the transfer of assets in, or out, of trust during the transfer or sale of a business. We are always happy to provide helpful insights to a CEPA and their clients, from our multitude of experiences.

How and why would a CEPA engage you?

A CEPA can contact our Client Development Director directly with any inquiries about what assets can be transferred to the trust, the process of transfer, and what benefits can be derived from using Alliance as a trustee. Alliance employs attorneys, CPAs, financial advisors, and career trust officers, bringing a wealth of knowledge to CEPAs and their clients.

Why should a CEPA recommend you?

Alliance has many clients referred to us by advisors who are seeking asset protection for certain assets they want to shield from their business activities. Nevada is the ideal jurisdiction for asset protection and those clients need a corporate trustee in NV for these trusts. Additionally, if there are liquid assets transferred to the trust, Alliance will always delegate back to the referring advisor the asset for management and respect the relationship the advisor has with that client.

Describe your ideal client profile.

As a Nevada Trust Company, our ideal client is seeking the superior benefits that Nevada’s statutes offer. This includes the best creditor protection of any state, with the shortest seasoning period for the assets; additionally, NV has no state income tax.

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A Uniquely Flexible Program

AEF provides highly personalized service to donors and their trusted advisors, offering great flexibility in accepting different types of simple and complex assets. Additionally, AEF uniquely offers open investment architecture and at the donor’s recommendation, AEF can enable their donors’ wealth advisors to manage the investments in their clients’ fund accounts on their preferred custodial platform.

Unlike donor advised funds sponsored by charities with a specific mission or a regional focus, AEF offers the ability for donors to give to all U.S. charities. Partnerships with CAF America enables us to support select overseas organizations. Unlike commercial donor advised fund programs, offered by banks, brokerages and commercial mutual funds, AEF does not sell investment and financial products.

AEF’s true independence and innovative, tax-smart solutions offer donors and their families greater flexibility for their charitable giving while enabling them to simplify their giving and multiply their impact.

To learn more about American Endowment Foundation, find more information here.

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The Asset Exchange brings the ability for clients to protect their sales proceeds while they avoid paying Capital Gains Tax at the time of sale. Imagine clients keeping 30-40% more of their sales proceeds working for them, rather than having paid those monies to the IRS.

To learn more about The Asset Exchange, find more information here.

new-bbsi

BBSI is a leading provider of business management solutions, combining human

resource outsourcing and professional management consulting to create a unique operational platform that differentiates us from our competitors. The foundation of our service model is the expertise of our local teams in branches across the country, who specialize in business strategy, payroll processing, employee benefits, workers’ compensation insurance, risk management, workplace safety programs, and human resource consulting & administration. BBSI’s local, hands-on support helps businesses of all sizes improve the efficiency of their operations so they can achieve their goals. We exist to support business owner prosperity and help them build better companies.

To learn more about BBSI, find more information here.

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How do you drive value for a business owner?

Our process is designed to help you drive deep, sustainable change. We’ll help you remove the barriers that get in the way of effective communication so you can eliminate drama, create an environment of positive accountability, accelerate decision-making and problem-solving, and drive an internalized sense of purpose throughout your organization.

What value do you bring to a Certified Exit Planning Advisor?

Many leaders waste time putting out fires and solving other people's problems. Their time is pulled away from the critical areas that drive value, impact, and growth. InitiativeOne systematically aligns purpose with accountability structures that drive meaningful change personally and professionally. This gives leaders a razor-sharp focus on the areas that will produce the most significant long-term results.

How and why would a CEPA engage you?

InitiativeOne is the challenging yet compassionate coach you trust to bring out the best in you. Our facilitators are willing to push into uncomfortable territory, with relentless optimism, eager and willing to build you back up again. InitiativeOne is an advisor you can count on to guide, push, encourage, and challenge you. Upon completion, participants are eligible for 16.8 CEUs through the University of Wisconsin Green Bay. Contact InitiativeOne by calling Desi Saeva-Johnson at 920-432-0268.

Why should a CEPA recommend you?

InitiativeOne is a trusted advisor who can reveal under-the-table issues and work through them in a positive, safe, and non-judgmental manner. By helping leaders connect that they create their culture and have the power to change it, leaders experience radical transformation through an intense, team-based process that tackles complex problem-solving through a simple, repeatable methodology.

Describe your ideal client profile.

To C-Suite executives looking to achieve dramatic results, InitiativeOne is an international leadership training and consulting firm that shapes impactful teams and leaders who make decisions and solve problems more effectively through an intense, long-term, team-based process because InitiativeOne knows that leadership isn’t about skills or processes. It’s about the wholehearted transformation of beliefs and behaviors — within your people and yourself.

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Founded in 2005, KLH Capital is a private equity firm serving family- and founder-owned, lower middle-market companies. We make majority and minority equity investments in businesses to provide ownership opportunities for key managers and allow owners to harvest the value in their businesses. Our commitment goes beyond financial support as we believe in establishing a collaborative team of peers, all of whom have a hand in the company’s progress. When we combine management’s industry and operational expertise with our own, the company’s full potential is unlocked and value is created.

Our Solutions:

Create liquidity for estate planning
Continue family legacies
Invest in growth & talent
Offer ownership to key managers
Develop succession plans to ensure company’s future
Provide capital for add-on acquisitions

To learn more about KLH Capital, find more information here.

Tell us a little about yourself in your own words. What’s your story?

Keap’s was founded in 2001 by Scott Martineau and Clate Mask, we began as a small startup in Arizona with a big mission: to simplify growth for small businesses.

The company started by solving a problem Scott and Clate experienced firsthand—managing client relationships and keeping everything organized as their own marketing consultancy grew. They envisioned a tool that combined CRM, marketing, and sales automation to give entrepreneurs the freedom to focus on what they love, rather than spending endless hours on administrative tasks.

What began as Infusionsoft eventually evolved into Keap, reflecting the company’s core belief in perseverance. "Keap" embodies the entrepreneurial spirit of never giving up and "keep" moving forward. The platform empowers small business owners to streamline their operations, nurture leads, and grow their businesses through automation and personalized communication.

Today, Keap continues to innovate as they were acquired by Thryv (small business software), offering a robust suite of tools like CRM, email marketing, sales pipelines, and more, all designed with the unique needs of small businesses in mind. With a community of passionate entrepreneurs and a commitment to helping them thrive, Keap remains a trusted partner in their success journey.

How do you drive value for a business owner?

Keap drives value for business owners by streamlining operations, automating repetitive tasks, and enhancing customer relationships. It serves as an all-in-one CRM, centralizing customer data and communication, while its customizable sales pipelines and automated campaigns help convert leads and nurture relationships. By improving organization, boosting productivity, and keeping clients engaged, Keap empowers business owners to save time, close more sales, and focus on growing their business efficiently.

How and why would a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) engage you?

How:

CRM Capabilities: Keap centralizes client data, including communications, notes, and progress, enabling CEPAs to stay organized and deliver a personalized experience.

Automated Workflows: Automate follow-ups, reminders, and educational content delivery, saving time and ensuring clients stay engaged in the exit planning process.

Campaign Management: Design and launch targeted email campaigns to educate clients about key exit planning strategies and deadlines.

Task Management: Use Keap’s task and pipeline tools to track clients through different phases of exit planning, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.

Why:

Efficiency: Keap reduces manual effort, allowing CEPAs to focus on strategic advising rather than administrative tasks.

Scalability: As the advisor grows their client base, Keap helps manage and nurture relationships without compromising quality.

Client Experience: By automating routine communications and follow-ups, CEPAs can provide a more consistent, professional experience that builds trust and credibility.

Revenue Growth: Keap’s tools help CEPAs identify opportunities to upsell services or engage in proactive outreach to potential clients, driving business growth.

By implementing Keap into their everyday operations, CEPAs can enhance productivity, save themselves time with mundane tasks, deliver exceptional client experiences, and focus on guiding business owners toward successful exits.

Describe your ideal client profile.

Our ideal client profile includes small businesses or solopreneurs with 1-25 employees in service-based industries like coaching, consulting, and professional services. Keap works best for those who are ready to scale but find themselves held back by disorganization—losing track of clients, tasks, payments, and processes. These businesses are eager to break through their growth ceiling and need a solution to streamline operations and drive efficiency.

Why did you choose to join the Exit Planning Institute Strategic Partnership Program?

We chose this partnership as it offers Keap and EPI access to a network of small business owners who can benefit from our shared solutions and offerings. By aligning Keap with EPI, we both gain credibility and trust within our networks, positioning ourselves as a valuable resource in the business transition process. The partnership also opens opportunities for co-marketing efforts, lead generation, ect. allowing EPI and Keap to expand its visibility and generate high-quality leads.

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Why CEBI?

It’s lonely at the top. But that doesn’t mean you need to go it alone. We’ve got your back. At CEBI, you get access to the business best practices, insights, and resources that can help you eliminate the stress, anxiety, and pitfalls of running a business. So, you can focus on positive, higher impact initiatives like growth, building wealth, and your personal well-being.

What We Do

We connect you with an elite group of business owners, presidents, CEOs, and senior executives who help each other become more focused, more strategic, more effective – and more profitable.

What We Offer

Peer to Peer Advisory
Coaching
Strategic Planning
Business Value Gap Analysis & Value Acceleration
Exit Planning & Advisory
M&A Advisory

The Results

2X better CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate)
Peace of Mind
A More Valuable Business
More Free Time

To learn more about Chief Executive Boards International, find more information here.

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What’s FocusCFO’s story?

FocusCFO is a rapidly growing, national provider of Embedded Fractional CFO services. Founded in 2001, FocusCFO was an early industry pioneer. Our mission is: ‘Helping entrepreneurs build sustainable, transferrable business value.’ All of our associates go through education on the EPI Value Acceleration methodology and a good number formally attained their CEPA designation.

How do you drive value for a business owner?

We drive value by acting as an ‘Embedded CEPA,’ both working as part of the advisory team and working closely with the business.

Our services span the full Value Acceleration methodology, with a particular focus on the Protect and Growth stages. Our model embeds a CFO (fractionally) onto the client’s leadership team, who not only provides executive-level financial guidance and strategy and is also accountable for execution. Our CFOs are ‘on the field,’ working side by side with our clients to move the ball down the field. We are uniquely positioned, embedded on the leadership team, to keep focus on the necessary transformational initiatives that will result in greater business value. We refer to our embedded fractional CFOs, experienced in Value Acceleration, as “Embedded CEPAs.”

How would a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) engage you?

By reaching out to a FocusCFO Area President in their local market to develop a relationship. Area Presidents can be found on the ‘Our Team’ section of the website. Please visit FocusCFO.com/Embedded-CEPA

If you cannot find an Area President listed for your local market, please use the Contact form and our team will introduce you to an Area President to partner with.

Describe your ideal client profile.

The target buyer is an entrepreneur, founder, owner, CEO, or president. The typical company size is $2 to $30+ million in revenue, 5 to 300+ employees. Common triggers include: the company is rapidly growing, or concerned about performance and cash flow or planning for an eventual exit/ transition. Our clients span almost all industries.

Why did you choose to join the Exit Planning Institute Strategic Partnership Program?

Value growth and exit planning have always been core to our work with clients, as well as building or working within a team of trusted advisors for the benefit of each client. Working with other CEPAs as part of that advisor team is a natural fit and adds value to our mutual clients as we all share a common language, methodology, and the understanding of the value of collaboration. Therefore, we seek to broaden and deepen our relationships with all CEPA-credentialed advisors.

Updated-Mass MassMutual was founded in 1851, and from the beginning, we’ve had a single purpose: to help people secure their future and protect the ones they love. More than 170 years later, that commitment remains our guiding principle. It’s behind everything we do and every decision we make. It’s how we continue to deliver products and services to help our policy owners and customers achieve their financial goals and protect those who matter most.

To learn more about MassMutual, find more information here.

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How do you drive value for a business owner?

MCM Capital partners with business owners through a leveraged recapitalization providing liquidity and an experienced partner to help drive outsized growth through a combination of our experience in driving best practices in lower middle market companies.

What value do you bring to a Certified Exit Planning Advisor?

Help educate CEPAs and their clients on private equity as a potential exit option.

How and why would a CEPA engage you?

A CEPA can reach out either through email, phone, or LinkedIn to engage with me for several reasons whether it is advice on the mechanics of a transaction when selling to PE, thoughts on valuation, what PE would find attractive about a client’s business, or what we might find unattractive which can act as a lever to drive shareholder value or any other potential question, thought, idea around how better to understand the best exit options for their client.

Why should a CEPA recommend you?

After getting to know me personally and learning more about our firm in general, you will find we are honest and transparent in our approach to genuinely helping business owners decide whether their business is a fit for us. Our goal is to educate and allow business owners along with their advisory teams to make the best decision for the owner, the business, and their family.

Describe your ideal client profile.

Over three decades, we have built a successful track record of partnering with like-minded business owners and management teams of the lower middle market ($10M to $50M in annual revenue), niche manufacturers, and value-added distributors of highly engineered components. Our investment interest and expertise span the supply chains of our target end markets, including a broad array of technologies, products, and services used in the production and aftermarket support of aerospace and defense, medical, diversified industrial, and engineered materials businesses.

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Paramax Corporation is a premier investment banking firm, specializing in strategic sell-side advisory services. In addition, Paramax Corporation also provides acquisition advisory services, financing advisory services, valuations, fairness opinions, and business consulting to middle-market privately-held and publicly-traded corporations with enterprise values between $5 million and $500 million.

Paramax represents clients worldwide from its offices in Williamsville, NY and Rochester, NY and through its membership in Globalscope Partners Ltd., an international M&A network with 51 firms in 41 countries across the globe. Securities transactions are conducted through a wholly-owned subsidiary, Paramax Securities, LLC, a registered Broker/Dealer and FINRA member.

Founded in 1992, our experienced professionals have completed more than 300 transactions across a variety of industries including manufacturing, fire/safety/security, distribution, printing/packaging, professional services, information technology/telecommunications, healthcare/medical, consumer products, industrials, food, industrial tooling/capital equipment, aerospace/defense, automotive, logistics/transportation, chemicals, and motion control.

Paramax professionals have significant operating experience in both publicly-traded and privately-held companies in addition to their extensive transaction experience. Every client receives the benefit and attention of experienced senior-level professionals throughout their process.

To learn more about Paramax, find more information here.

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EOS Worldwide is a growing organization of successful entrepreneurs from a variety of backgrounds who are passionate about helping other business leaders succeed. The power of EOS® is that it is real-world, simple, and practical. There’s no theory or flavor of the month, no magic pills—just timeless, field-tested tools that work. With over 16 years of history and more than 120,000 companies currently using our tools, EOS is a proven system that consistently helps companies achieve more revenue, growth, and profit while delivering a better balance of life to business owners and leaders.

Kyle Danner began his entrepreneurial career in his family’s printing company, where he became an owner and helped the firm grow from $2million to $18+million in revenue. He then made the difficult decision to leave it all behind. Today, Kyle combines his experience as a former business owner, his knowledge as a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), and his skills as a Professional EOS Implementer® to help business owners build a better business and live a better life.

To learn more about Kyle Danner – Professional EOS Implementer®, find more information here.

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How do you drive value for a business owner?

We drive value in three ways.

First, at the beginning of the exit planning process, business owners can keep more of their gross pre-tax profits while they are building value. This leads to more economic freedom, regardless if there is a sale.

Second, our strategies often generate significant cost savings, a portion of which is used to create higher levels of insurance and asset protection.

Third, if the business monetizes, our team’s proprietary strategies help them retain nearly all of the increased gross sales value that was created through the exit planning process so that they and their loved ones have more wealth throughout life and death.

How and why would a CEPA engage you?

Nearly all of the growth that stems from Value Acceleration can be captured with minimum tax consequences. To do so requires engagement with attorneys on our team at the beginning of the process.

We add significant value to CEPAs in three ways:

By generating new revenue streams for the CEPA early in the exit planning process.
By generating new forms of cost savings for the business owner that can pay for the exit planning process.
By creating more wealth throughout and following the business sale, all of which can be managed by the CEPA.

Each engagement begins with a conversation. We are happy to talk to CEPAs about client opportunities.

Describe your ideal client profile.

Our typical client is looking to significantly reduce tax while adding protection, cost savings, and other non-tax benefits. More often than not, they come to us with challenges that they have not otherwise been able to solve.

We work with candidates with the following characteristics:

Business owners looking to sell within 1 to 5 years, with a profit opportunity of at least $10 million.
Business owners/private equity investors with a minimum pre-tax profit of $2 million.
Multi-generational business owners, typically with large amounts of illiquid assets, and a desire to retain their business within the family while avoiding estate tax.

Why did you choose to join the Exit Planning Institute Strategic Partnership Program?

Given the nature of our work, we don’t compete with other advisors. I recognized an opportunity where we could easily help other CEPAs enhance their value and get paid significantly more while creating far more wealth and protection for their clients. It’s the perfect complementary solution for the CEPA and their client. Everyone wins.

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RAYNE IX helps small business owners become more confident leaders, profitable owners, and healthier and happier people by building effective and valuable businesses that align with their personal goals and values through coaching, consulting, and educational resources.

Through genuine curiosity and enthusiasm, we lead growth and open-minded small business owners through accountable, supportive, and collaborative experiences to build the businesses and futures they dream for themselves, their families, and their communities. We guide our clients through personal and professional transformation via our executive coaching and consulting services.

To learn more about RAYNE IX, find more information here.

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How do you drive value for a business owner?

The Ready for Next value accelerator is designed to reduce risk, enhance value drivers, create a high state of transition-readiness, and prepare owners for transition. We closely follow EPI's Value Acceleration Methodology, working systematically across seven inter-related "value domains," including culture, leadership, risk management, strategy, sales and marketing, and financial strategy. Value domain initiatives are organized in 90-day sprints with implementation support. A typical value acceleration program is 2-5 years.

What value do you bring to a Certified Exit Planning Advisor?

We are purely value growth advisors. In the Three Legs of the Stool holistic model, we concentrate on value optimization, closely coordinating with the other interdisciplinary professionals needed to create outstanding outcomes for the owner. We can, but don't always fulfill the role of the quarterback. We have been practicing CEPA's since 2008 and our knowledge base and experience with complex cases sets us apart. We are also very attentive to our professional partners and actively seek opportunities to reinforce the value of their expertise and involvement.

How and why would a CEPA engage you?

We are always interested in discussing cases with our CEPA colleagues, even if the situation turns out not to be a great fit. Ideally, we will be engaged in conversations as early in the process as possible (even during business development, or as personal financial planning is being done). Early engagement helps us and the other professionals involved collaborate on potential solutions, spot issues, identify efficiencies, and develop a shared process. We are happy to schedule a virtual meeting to workshop opportunities.

Why should a CEPA recommend you?

We have a long track record of helping business owners achieve exponential value gains and transition readiness. We are also agnostic regarding the method of transition - we support all internal and external options. We remain neutral during the planning process so we can provide unbiased advice, which reassures owners that there are no financial conflicts of interest.

Describe your ideal client profile.

Privately-held businesses with a baseline enterprise value of $10 million or more, with some exceptions. The business should be reasonably healthy (not distressed) and in a growing industry. The owner must be in a growth mindset and receptive to advice. In addition to straightforward businesses with simple equity structures, we specialize in complex partnerships, family businesses, and multi-entity enterprises with inter-related operations. We work in many sectors except retail/restaurant, software, and biomedical.

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Serving Business Enterprises

PMI Advisors, LLC was initially launched to provide M&A integration services for acquirers. However, with our team of seasoned professionals, we are being asked to be involved in other phases of business management and operations.

Business Continuity Planning – Many organizations have information technology recovery plans, but we have found that many fail to address business process continuity. Our professionals design high-level Emergency Operations Plans and detailed Business Continuity Plans that address incident impacts on business operations.
Business Sale Preparation – Selling businesses can be a complex process of evaluating management, customers, staff, IP, HR, IT, and goodwill. We utilize our Deal Readiness Rating Methodology of initial assessments, value creation, and risk mitigation to position businesses for sale.
M&A Integration – During M&A Integration company management must juggle strategy, organization, and systems, along with day-to-day business operations. We employ our Project:100 Day Integration Methodology and provide workstream leaders to address the many challenges faced.
Business Process Optimization – Companies are under pressure to boost ROI. Our professionals have extensive experience in pursuing additional performance-improvement benefits in various industries. They understand the real-world pressures managers often face to optimize their processes.
Divestiture & Carve-Out – Companies sometimes choose to realign their business models and carve out divisions, subsidiaries or specific business operations. We provide tactical support throughout the divestiture phase to execute timely separations by identifying the shared systems and processes and in providing action plans for separating them cleanly.

To learn more about PMI Advisors, LLC, find more information here.

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SBJ Capital is a private equity firm with approximately $400 million of committed capital, focused on investments in founder and family-owned consumer, business services, and healthcare services companies. SBJ Capital provides thoughtful strategic advice, domain expertise, and a partnership-oriented approach to support the goals of entrepreneurs, owners, and management teams. SBJ Capital was founded by an experienced team of professionals

who have invested over $600 million into more than 40 companies and have an extensive track record of creating value, including investments in multiple businesses that grew from less than $5 million of EBITDA at the time of investment into $500+ million companies.

To learn more about SBJ Capital, find more information here.

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The Telos Group is a global consultancy firm that works with enterprising families and the advisors that serve them. With fields of expertise spanning the entire enterprising family world, we build capacities in families and advisory professionals across industries.

In our work with business families & families of wealth, we educate, facilitate, and consult to fortify the entire system – from family dynamics, to ownership structure, asset management, succession & transition planning, coaching, and much more. In collaboration with advisors & advisory firms, we educate, facilitate, and guide firms to distinguish themselves as leaders and innovators in the family enterprise space.

To learn more about The Telos Group, find more information here.

With a 150-year history and a network of offices in over 50 countries on 5 continents, UBS has extensive experience managing the wealth of high net worth and ultra high net worth individuals.

Our global strategy is centered on strengthening UBS’s leading Wealth Management Americas franchise while integrating and finding synergies among the Investment Bank and Asset Management divisions to deliver outstanding solutions for our clients.

The UBS Wealth Management Americas approach is based on the trusted relationship of our Financial Advisors and their clients. Our experienced Advisors are committed to understanding clients’ needs and delivering insightful, informed advice to help them realize their dreams.

To learn more about UBS Financial Services Inc., find more information here.

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As an entrepreneur who understands how to grow a company (and support the people that power the results), Tom is one of the most experienced business planning professionals in the industry. He specializes in the design, implementation, funding and the administration of executive and key employee incentive plans.

In collaboration with a network of organizations and top brands, Tom develops stay bonuses, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock plans, executive deferred compensation plans and performance-based incentives for hundreds of companies who want to:

Attract top talent for C-suite
Implement incentive plans that improve top-line results
Foster long-term employee engagement
Improve employee moral
Increase internal innovation and strategic thinking
Fund competitive compensation packages
Retain key leaders while protecting the business
Command the highest price when selling interests / transitioning ownership to next generation

Create the high-producing company culture where your employees grow skills, contribute value, think like owners, and ultimately stay.

To learn more about Exodus Complink LLC, find more information here.

SaleX

How do you drive value for a business owner?

Sales Xceleration is the pioneer in outsourced sales. Our goal is to get business on track for revenue growth now and into the future. We do this with the combination of a seasoned Outsourced VP of Sales along with our Certified Sales Operating and Management System. The goal of the two working together is to focus on revenue growth that should result in increasing the clients multiple when they sell their business.

What value do you bring to a Certified Exit Planning Advisor?

We are a complement to assisting the CEPA and their Client in ensuring their sales department and team are built to meet sales targets and goals. If we do our job right, then we help increase the multiple at the time of sale.

How and why would a CEPA engage you?

We have approximately 185 Outsourced VPs of Sales in the US and Canada. A CEPA can look on our Find an Advisor page on our website to see who is close to them and start to build a relationship. These relationships provide good referral opportunities to each other oftentimes serving the same client profiles.

Why should a CEPA recommend you?

The right time to recommend an Outsourced VP of Sales is when you see businesses struggling with sales. They could be going backward in sales, losing big clients, having no insights into their pipeline, and overall not having the processes in place for revenue growth.

Describe your ideal client profile.

Small to Mid-Size businesses

Revenue range $1M to $75M

B2B

President, Owner, or CEO

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The Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors® (AM&AA) is the premiere International Organization serving the educational and resource needs of the middle market M&A profession.

Formed in 1998 to bring together CPAs, attorneys, and other experienced corporate financial advisors, AM&AA’s 1100+ professional services firms – including some of the most highly recognized leaders in the industry—draw upon their combined transactional expertise to better serve the needs of their middle market clients worldwide.

Conferences and Certification Program

AM&AA members convene regularly for training and continuing education at the semi-annual conferences and CM&AA programs. The semi-annual conferences cover a wide range of topics of interest to our members, but most importantly, AM&AA members gain the most benefit from the networking opportunities available to them and their middle market advisory colleagues.

AM&AA is the leader in providing an educational framework in mergers and acquisitions through their Certified Merger & Acquisition Advisor® program. From the caliber of our instructors to the content of the curriculum, the CM&AA® designation helps you to build on your existing skills providing you with the necessary framework and network to further advance your professional and financial goals, as well as those of the clients being served.

Group Benefits

As a member of AM&AA, several key benefits are available for free or at a discounted price such as: Private Equity Info (PEI) Services, D&B Hoovers (Dun & Bradstreet’s global database), online deal platforms, and data rooms, to name a few (see Member Benefits). You’ll have access to members through our member directory, the Deal Corner, monthly electronic newsletters, to name a few.

We invite you to join our rapidly expanding international network of leading corporate financial advisors by contacting AM&AA today. Our association members are here to help you grow professionally, and effectively capitalize on the many opportunities available in the marketplace today.

To learn more about Alliance of Mergers & Acquisition Advisors, find more information here.

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Corporate Value Metrics is pleased to introduce the most comprehensive training and credentialing program dedicated to preparing professionals to become leaders in providing value growth services – the fastest-growing service segment of the private middle-market today.

Most private middle-market companies have an opportunity to double their values over a three- to five-year period by following a disciplined, methodical, approach to improving the quality of their entire enterprises.

The CVGA is a 5-day program focusing on the fundamental best practices of any business across the eight primary functional categories that drive the creation of business value and how advisors can become the “Engagement Quarterback” to their clients. Various subject matter experts present modules on each of the eight primary categories, along with special modules on corporate finance, strategic planning, business development, and engagement management. A live case study ties the program together and an online exam completes it.

To learn more about Certified Value Growth Advisor, find more information here.

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There is an incredible amount of good information and solid resources at your fingertips to better understand what drives the value of a business. So to make it easy, here’s a list of databases, assessment software, benchmarking reports, books, and whitepapers you should explore. Don’t shy away from knowing how ready you are and how attractive your business is. Knowledge is power. It’s time to get educated.

In 2016, Chris Snider, President and CEO of EPI, wrote the first book on the Value Acceleration Methodology called Walking to Destiny: 11 Actions an Owner Must Take to Rapidly Grow Value & Unlock Wealth. The book is was written for business owners by a business owner. It’s a proven system to maximize value, grow income, and build a business that can run without you, even if you never plan to leave. And if you do think you won’t ever exit your business, the business owner who never plans to leave needs a well-functioning, attractive business more than anyone.

To learn more about Snider Value Index, find more information here.

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For nearly two decades, The Southern California Institute has been a Thought Leader Community serving professional advisors and care-giving organizations, and the families they wish to impact.

The common link is a desire to thrive beyond the status quo of what’s known to be available. It’s a fundamental belief that more is out there, and if it isn’t we’ll create it together. That’s why we call it Care to Know.

In our Care to Know model, we own curiosity as our first reaction. How can the advisory community do better for the families we serve and the firms we’re building? As care providers such as healthcare communities and cause-driven organizations, how can resources and collaboration enhance the value of support?

The heart of our model is helping people master collaboration itself as a craft. We define collaboration as the art and science of how people work together to create better outcomes. It’s a process of celebrating different perspectives, disciplines and resources to thereby enhance the value of the work at hand.

In our community, participants find themselves receiving and contributing in unanticipated ways. They often remark that there’s liberation in the power of We. This We-driven mindset sets a transformation in motion. With our community as your resource, you don’t have to master the answer to every quandary. Instead you become courageously armed with the right questions, and a think tank of best-in-class professionals equipped with the answers.

To learn more about Southern California Institute, find more information here.

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How do you drive value for a business owner?

The value for business owner is peace of mind because the business doesn’t rely on them. It’s like knowledge insurance that everything is in one place so the business could run without them. It provides a more tangible asset that could be sold without the owner, less dependence on an earn out for a smooth transition period. More profitable company when everyone is following best practices. More innovation when everyone is encouraged to challenge and improve the norm of how things are done, better culture where people are aligned with the responsibilities the company expects of them. Everyone is rowing in the same direction toward mission and vision.

What value do you bring to a Certified Exit Planning Advisor?

The value we bring to a CEPA is to elevate the standard of what a business buyer would expect. We want to make having a Trainual like asking for a carfax. It provides signals of a healthier and more valuable business.

How and why would a CEPA engage you?

CEPA could engage in two ways: for themselves - professional services businesses are one of our top verticals. Service-based businesses are very dependent on people, and great training and process ensures their companies are running top-notch. 2- for their clients. When their clients are running a healthier, more valuable business, it benefits the CEPA. They spend more as they grow, and work toward a more valuable exit.

Why should a CEPA recommend you?

When a CEPA recommends Trainual to their clients, they're building the internal operating system for the business, helping the business to run at top-tier efficiency. The healthier and more valuable the business, the more valuable the exit.

Describe your ideal client profile.

5-500 employee companies (roughly $1-100M in revenue. Big enough to care about best practices, typically when other managers get involved. Small enough that this problem isn’t solved through some enterprise HR suite.

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What is CBRE’s Story?

Our core focus is helping business owners maximize the value of their commercial real estate assets, especially when they’re at the cusp of significant transitions like selling their business. Over the years, we developed a platform that ensures business owners not only protect their hard-earned wealth but also understand the real estate landscape to make informed decisions. In a business sale owners will either have to lease or sell their existing property or complete a 1031 exchange, all of which our team assists with. Even for the experienced investor, the 1031 exchange process can be an incredibly stressful endeavor. We are here to guide, educate, and shoulder the challenges of the 1031 exchange ensuring it results in a smooth and successful transition. Our purpose is to ensure every business owner, no matter their level of experience, has a trusted advisor to safeguard their assets and future.

How do you drive value for a business owner?

The commercial real estate landscape can be a confusing and nuanced marketplace for an inexperienced investor to navigate. We offer a blend of services to help business owners make commercial real estate-related decisions.

Valuations: We help business owners understand the value of their real estate and how to maximize that value in the event of a sale.
Lease vs. Own: Business owners want to understand the after-tax benefits of keeping their real estate after selling their business and leasing it out versus selling and completing a 1031 exchange
Education: If a business owner needs to complete a 1031 exchange, we educate them on the commercial real estate asset classes, the pros & cons of owning each type, returns, and how returns vary across the country. In addition we provide insight on where we are seeing opportunities in the market.
Turnkey 1031 Exchange Service: We help find replacement properties, vet those properties, secure financing if necessary, quarterback due diligence and escrows, and successfully close on the up-leg.

When and why would a CEPA engage you?

A CEPA should contact us as soon as a client indicates that commercial real estate is part of the exit plan. We would become part of the exit planning team and would pay a referral fee to the advisor.

Describe your ideal client profile.

Our ideal client is a business owner who:

Is on the brink of selling their business or considering selling it in the near future
Has a commercial real estate asset valued at $5M+
They can be nationwide

Why did you choose to join the EPI Strategic Partnership Program?

Approximately 40% of business sales involve commercial real estate. Understanding the real estate side of the exit planning process is imperative to maximizing a business owner’s sales proceeds. We want to help advisors and their clients ensure they understand the value of their real estate and how to allocate that capital most effectively post-sale. Our nationwide platform at CBRE can provide information on any property type, anywhere in the country, very quickly. As part of the exit planning team, we help advisors maintain control of their clients and increase assets under management.

What is Generational Groups Story?

Since their beginning in 2005, Generational has evolved into a premier business advisory firm, offering a suite of services tailored for middle-market businesses. Their comprehensive approach includes M&A Services, Growth Consulting, Wealth Management, and Digital Solutions, all aimed at guiding clients through various stages of their business lifecycle.

Generational's seasoned professionals play a crucial role in driving the firm's success. With a deep understanding of the complexities involved in mergers and acquisitions, they offer personalized guidance to clients, ensuring their specific needs are met. Through strategic collaboration and hands-on support, Generational helps businesses navigate challenges and maximize opportunities for growth and exit.

Driving Value for Business Owners

At Generational, the focus is on empowering business owners to grow and exit their businesses for maximum value. The firm's comprehensive process ensures that businesses are well-prepared for the complexities of the exit process. By preparing over 110,000 owners for successful exits, Generational has cemented its reputation as a trusted partner in the business community.

Generational's approach to driving value for business owners goes beyond traditional advisory services. They believe that an "exit-ready" business is a "buyer-ready" business. This philosophy underscores their commitment to helping clients optimize their market position through strategic advisory and marketing services. By harnessing the collective skills of over 300 M&A professionals, Generational ensures that clients are well-positioned to capitalize on opportunities when they arise.

Generational understands the unique challenges faced by middle-market businesses. Their comprehensive and customized M&A services are tailored to their client's specific requirements. Whether it's preparing for a sale, identifying growth opportunities, or maximizing value, Generational's team of experts is dedicated to helping clients achieve their goals.

Benefits for Certified Exit Planning Advisors (CEPA®)

Partnering with Generational offers a range of benefits that enhance their service offerings and strengthen client relationships. By engaging with Generational, CEPAs can expand their expertise to include business valuation, strategic growth planning, value enhancement, exit planning, M&A advisory, and digital solutions.

This partnership not only allows CEPA to provide more comprehensive support to their clients but also opens opportunities for collaboration and referral networking. Through Generational's extensive network and industry connections, CEPAs can tap into a wealth of resources to better serve their clients' needs.

Strategic Partnership with Exit Planning Institute

Generational's decision to partner with EPI ® is rooted in the mutual benefit of developing long-term relationships and enhancing service options for EPI members. By joining forces, Generational aims to provide professional M&A advisory services to EPI members and their clients, further bolstering the resources available to the exit planning community.

The partnership between Generational and EPI signifies a commitment to driving innovation and excellence in exit planning. By using each other's strengths and abilities, both organizations can better support business owners as they navigate the complexities of exiting their businesses.

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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.

Tell us a little about yourself in your own words. What’s your story?: It all started with a book...Built to Sell became a must-read for small business owners looking to create a company that thrives without them—and sells for top dollar. That idea grew into an assessment, helping owners evaluate their business, and then a suite of tools to unlock its value.

Today, we call it The Value Builder System™. With over 80,000 business owners using our tools, working with a discrete group of highly trained advisors, we’re here to help them protect, grow, and realize the value of their company.

How do you drive value for a business owner?: Our mission is to level the playing field for small business owners as they approach their exit.

We empower business owners to protect, grow, and realize the value of their company through a network of trusted advisors, who we enable with a value assessment toolset for starting a strategic conversation with a business owner

How and why would a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) engage you?: With The Value Builder System™, you get an immediate ROI by incorporating the Value Builder Assessment into your business development process. Whether through networking events, referrals, or direct outreach, CEPAs use the Value Builder Assessment during these early interactions to set realistic valuation expectations and quickly identify motivated sellers.

If the estimated value in the Assessment falls short of the owner’s expectations (which is often the case), our top CEPAs present a straightforward choice: sell now at a realistic price or work with me to increase your business’s value using Value Builder's suite of tools. This strategy allows you to prioritize deals that are likely to close while also earning additional revenue from owners dedicated to improving their value before an exit.

The Assessment is divided into eight sections, each targeting a key driver of company value. For every driver, we offer tools that you can use with your clients to help them understand and improve their scores. You can offer these tools to your clients as a self-paced learning resource, the foundation of a mastermind or peer group, or as the basis for your one-on-one advisory work. Advisors justify their advisory fees by delivering real results: businesses typically score 59 on the Value Builder Score, but with your guidance, those who elevate their score to 80 receive acquisition offers 71% above the average.

Our marketing system, featuring done-for-you content, ensures you stay top-of-mind with business owners, making you their first call when they’re ready to sell.

Describe your ideal client profile.: Every business owner's endgame is personal, that’s why we work exclusively with a discrete group of advisors trained to understand the value of their business today, and how to optimize it in the future.

Why did you choose to join the Exit Planning Institute Strategic Partnership Program?: We have a long standing and productive partnership with the Exit Planning Institute, sharing similar values and goals.

Focal Point

Tell us a little about yourself in your own words. What’s your story?: The Value and Transition Advisor team of Focal Point knows that every business has a story—and every story deserves a great ending. Starting a business takes a lot of hard work, and growing it is an even bigger challenge. When it’s time for a business owner to move on, the next steps can feel confusing or scary. That’s where we step in to help.

We work with business owners to make sure their businesses are ready for the future. Whether they want to sell their company, pass it down to their family, or bring in new leaders, we help them create a plan that works. Our goal is to protect everything they’ve built and make sure their hard work lasts for years to come.

How do you drive value for a business owner?: We use a proven foundational framework to identify and address the three gaps of value, profit, and wealth. Our framework drives a collaborative coaching relationship that focuses on drivers that enhance business value and transition strategies that assist business owners in achieving their vision for growth and eventual exit to their next chapter in life their endgame.

How and why would a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) engage you?: As Value and Transition Advisors, our team is ready to support other CEPAs in any phase of the process. We are capable of helping to build the plan, working with the client to close gaps and accelerate value, and be part of the decision process.

Describe your ideal client profile.: Business Owners Nearing Transition

Stage: Business owners planning to exit their business within 1-5 years or preparing for succession.

Age Range: Typically between 50-70 years old, although younger owners seeking proactive planning may also be a fit.

Industry: Small to mid-sized businesses across various industries, including manufacturing, construction, professional services, and family-owned enterprises.

Company Profile

Revenue: Businesses with annual revenues ranging from $1M to $25M.

Ownership Structure: Often family-owned or closely held, with a strong desire to protect the company’s legacy.

Employee Size: Typically between 10-200 employees.

Owner Goals and Challenges

Legacy and Continuity: Owners who care deeply about preserving their business legacy and ensuring a smooth transition for employees and stakeholders.

Value Maximization: Those looking to optimize their business’s value before sale or transition.

Why did you choose to join the Exit Planning Institute Strategic Partnership Program?: The EPI community aligns well with our desire to create strategic partners in non-competitive industries to maximize our client relationships. As a community of coaches, we are certain our expertise in exit planning coupled with our world-class coaching curriculum are best in class to help business owners close their profit gap, value gap (and therefore wealth gap), and readiness gaps. By doing so, we help business owners increase the value of their business, help them exit, and unlock the wealth they need in their retirement.

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