Exit Planning Institute - Find a CEPA

ADVISORY SERVICES

Heather is an Exit Planner and Value Advisor based in Minneapolis, MN fueled by the desire to help her clients maximize every stage of the business life cycle from inception to transition through end-to-end knowledge, wisdom, and preparedness. Heather excels at procuring the best possible team of business, financial, and personal planning experts to transform her clients' current state to dream state.

EXPERTISE

Heather holds active designations as a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) and CGMA (Chartered Global Management Accountant) through the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and as a CEPA (Certified Exit Planning Advisor) through the Exit Planning Institute.

For nearly 10 years, Heather's technical financial accounting background serving multi-national public companies provided an unmatched level of exposure to solving complex problems with large teams of professional experts. Afterwards, Heather led multiple M&A transactions for a private strategic buyer across several portfolio companies from sourcing through negotiation, to closing deals and executing post-merger integrations. With hands-on to executive-level experience in a wide range of business operations and corporate transactions, Heather offers a depth of professional, financial, and operational ability that affords her clients confidence and peace of mind.

MOTIVATION for becoming a CEPA

After several years of leading buy-side SMB acquisitions for a long-term strategic investor, Heather "developed a heart" for the sellers/owners/founders over time. After meeting with hundreds of sellers and management teams, the concerning pattern of them being unprepared, under-educated, and ill-advised was too consistent to ignore. Witnessing business geniuses and masters of their crafts leave millions on the table due to lack of planning stirred a passion to help balance the scales leading up to and during a business ownership transition.

PERSONAL

Heather and her husband, Jesse, and son, Silas, live in Ham Lake, MN, aka "base camp." Their love for the outdoors (and eating) leads them all across the country and Canada fishing, hunting, hiking, foraging, and mosquito swatting. Former temporary residents of Alaska, the family is forever ruined by freshly caught salmon, but take full advantage of the 10,000 lakes of sunfish and perch!

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ADVISORY SERVICES

EXPERTISE

MOTIVATION for becoming a CEPA

PERSONAL

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Purpose Statement

HEATHER KEPHART

ADVISORY SERVICES

EXPERTISE

MOTIVATION for becoming a CEPA

PERSONAL

ADVISORY SERVICES

EXPERTISE

MOTIVATION for becoming a CEPA

PERSONAL

HEATHER KEPHART

120-Day CEPA Playbook: Download the Playbook

2022 Colorado State of Owner Readiness Quick Look Brochure

2022 Colorado State of Owner Readiness Report

2023 National State of Owner Readiness Report

2024 Webinar Series

2025 Webinar Series

2026 Webinar Series

5-4-3-2-1 Whitepaper

5-4-3-2-1 Whitepaper

A Look Inside The Unique World of Value Creation Whitepaper

A Look Into Pressure Solutions Inc.: An Exit Planning Case Study

Access My Courses

Best-In-Class Whitepaper

Beyond CEPA Roadmap

Business Attractiveness Scorecard

Case Study: A Framework To Build Value In Your Business

Case Study: CEPA and CPAs

Case Study: CEPA and EOS

Case Study: CEPA and M&A

Case Study: How to Strategically Build Transferrable Value

Case Study: How To Utilize Your CEPA Credentials In A National Wealth Management Firm

Case Study: Human Capital, The Exit Planning Institute

Case Study: The Value of Transitioning a Business to its Employees

Case Study: The Value of Transitioning a Business to its Employees

Case Study: Value Acceleration

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Confidential Estate Planning Form

Decentralizing the Business Owner

Decentralizing the Business Owner

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EPI Chapter President Circle Meeting Notes

Exit as a Business Strategy: A Collection of Case Studies from Advisors and Owners

First Steps

Five Stages of Value Maturity Infographic

Five Stages of Value Maturity Infographic

From Successful to Significant

From Successful to Significant Whitepaper

Infographic: Beyond CEPA Path

Infographic: Decentralizing the Business Owner

Infographic: Five Stages of Value Maturity

Infographic: The 5 D's

Infographic: Who Has a Seat at the Table

Issue One: The Annual Exit Magazine

Know Your Gaps

Phase 1 Stage 1: The Value Maturity Index - Identifying Value

Sample Personal Contingency Plan

The Impact of Unplanned Consequences on Business Value Whitepaper