Exit Planning Isn’t About Stepping Away, It’s About Taking Control
Certified CEPA-led strategy to increase business value, reduce owner dependency, and build your legacy—whether you're ready to exit now or years from now.
"If your team can’t run the business without you, you don’t own a business—you own a job."
– Alan Bennett, TrustBuilt Business Solutions
If You’re Thinking About the Future—You’re Ready for Exit Planning.
Do you know the real power of exit planning? It allows you to run a business that can thrive without you in the day-to-day grind.
Whether you’re thinking about retiring, handing the business off to someone you trust, or just wanting more freedom in your day-to-day, exit planning gives you options—not ultimatums.
Through strategic exit planning, you’ll:
Create real options—whether you sell, scale, or pass it on
Maximize your company’s value, so you're rewarded for what you've built
Reduce owner dependence and free yourself from the grind
Minimize tax implications and protect your wealth
Build a financial roadmap for the life you want after your exit
Your Business Depends on You.
That’s the Problem.
If you’re like most business owners I work with, you’re wearing too many hats—and it’s burning you out.
You’ve built something you care about, but somewhere along the way, the business became fully dependent on you.
This isn’t how a business runs at its best.
Here’s what happens when the business relies too heavily on you:
Your team can’t make
confident decisions
without your sign-off
There are no documented
systems or succession plans
You’re stuck in reactive mode, putting out fires
The more you hold it together, the harder it becomes to step away
This isn’t a leadership issue. It’s a systems issue. And the good news? We can fix that.
Owner Dependence Is a Symptom.
Exit Planning Is the Solution.
Most business owners wait too long to think about exit planning—until they’re burned out or forced to sell or close the business. I take a different approach.
At TrustBuilt, I use The Value Builder System™ to assess your company’s strengths, identify hidden risks, and increase its value over time.
As your Certified Value Builder™ Advisor and Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), I’ll make sure you're not just guessing at what makes your business sellable—you’re using proven data to build real value.
Here’s how we do it:
It starts with your Value Builder Score.
This quick but powerful assessment benchmarks your business across the 8 key drivers of company value—giving you a clear picture of where you stand and what to improve.We identify the gaps holding you back, together.
From over-dependence on you, to bottlenecks with key employees or vendors, to unclear processes—we’ll show you exactly what’s costing you value, time, and freedom.Optimize for stronger cash flow and smoother operations.
We design practical, owner-specific strategies to improve how money moves through your business and help you build a company that’s more resilient, stable, and less stressful to run.Create a financial roadmap for your post-exit life.
Exit readiness isn’t about checking a box. It’s about building a business that thrives without you—one that’s attractive to buyers and enjoyable to run.
What You Can Expect When You Do Exit Planning the Right Way
When we work together, we’re not just checking a box. We’re creating strategic, measurable outcomes that impact your business today and shape your future exit on your terms. Here’s what my clients typically experience:
Maximized Business Value
Increase what your business is worth by improving what buyers actually care about—systems, team strength, growth potential, and more.
Exit Timeline Clarity and Confidence
No more guessing or second-guessing. You’ll know where you stand and what to do next, whether your exit is near or years away.
Less Stress and Fewer Fires to Put Out
With better systems and less owner dependence, you can finally get out of reactive mode and breathe again.
A Clear Path to Legacy Planning
Instead of winding down in burnout, you’ll step away with pride—knowing your business can thrive without you.
Interest From Higher-Quality Buyers or Successors
Buyers and future leaders are drawn to businesses that run smoothly without the owner at the center. That’s what we build.
More Time to Focus on What Matters
Whether that’s strategic growth or time with your family, you’ll finally have the space to lead instead of just operate.
Know Where You Stand, So You Can Build What’s Next
If you’re even thinking about stepping back from your business the smartest move you can make is to understand what your business is worth right now, and what’s holding it back.
That’s exactly what the Value Builder Score helps you do.
This isn’t some generic quiz. It’s a research-backed framework used by over 70,000 business owners to benchmark where their business stands today—and what it’ll take to increase value, reduce owner dependence, and exit on their terms.
In fact, businesses with scores over 80 receive offers that are, on average, 71% higher than their lower-scoring peers.
Your Value Builder Score is based on an in-depth look at the 8 key drivers of company value that matter most to buyers and successors:
Financial Performance
Growth Potential
Switzerland Structure (independence from any one customer, supplier, or team member)
Valuation Teeter-Totter (how well cash flow supports your valuation)
Recurring Revenue
Monopoly Control (your unique position in the market)
Customer Satisfaction
Hub & Spoke (how dependent the business is on you personally)
Once you complete the assessment, I personally review your results to identify where your business is strong, where the gaps are, and how we can create a roadmap tailored to your goals—whether that’s scaling, stepping back, or preparing to sell. This is where real transformation starts.