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As a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), Kelley Johnson is equipped with the training, skills, and tools needed to strengthen relationships with business owners and serve as their most trusted advisor.

Through the knowledge learned in the credentialing program, CEPAs holistically plan for an owner’s life outside of their business while successfully building significant value in their organization prior to their exit. Not only will a CEPA help you effectively transition your business, but will also advise you on personal and personal financial matters.

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I have spent more than twenty years serving Founder and Family-owned service businesses, helping owners grow, scale, and eventually transition their life’s work with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

At Iconic Founders Group, we bring a collective perspective shaped by decades of firsthand experience on both the seller and buyer sides. Our Founder, Kory Mitchell, and Partner, Travis Rue, bring extensive buy-side advisory experience from both the client and investor perspectives, while my background centers on guiding growth, transitions, and integration. Together, we built Iconic Founders Group creating a \"for Founders, by Founders\" approach to M&A — one that honors the founder’s legacy while delivering exceptional results.

As a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) and Partner & Chief Growth Officer, I align our systems and strategies to support owners who are preparing for growth or exploring a sale. My focus is on integrating's CEPA's Value Acceleration Model into our grow and sell-side advisories, helping the Founders/Owners we support to unlock value, align strategy, and navigate one of the most defining seasons of their lives. I believe deeply in creating pathways that respect both the financial and emotional realities of ownership.

Outside of work, my greatest joy is my family - my husband, David, and our daughter, Ruby. Our story began when David and I literally caught a wave together surfing in Waikiki in 2017, and we've been riding life side by side ever since. Today, we have built a beautiful life in the mountains of Evergreen, Colorado, a place that reflects everything I value: clarity, connection, and a deep sense of purpose.

For me, business is always personal. Every Founder’s story is a legacy in motion, and it is my calling to help ensure that legacy continues with strength and intention.

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KELLEY JOHNSON

KELLEY JOHNSON

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