Strategic Exit & Valuation FAQ

 When should I plan my business exit? 

A: For a high-value, strategic sale, you should begin your exit planning 24 to 36 months before your target retirement date. This 3-year "Value Engineering" window allows you to move from a market-average valuation to a premium multiple. Owners who initiate the PSR Framework early typically see a 20–30% increase in final net proceeds compared to those who rush to market.

Q: Can I sell my business in less than 12 months? A: Yes, but you become a "Price Taker" rather than a "Price Maker." A 12-month window is a transaction, not a strategy. Without the time to de-risk the business (removing owner-dependency and cleaning up historical financials), buyers will apply a "risk discount" to your valuation.

Q: Why do 80% of businesses fail to sell, even with profitable books? 

A: Profitability does not equal "Sellability." As a former public company CEO, I focus on Audit-Readiness. Most sales fail during due diligence because the owner hasn't documented systems or secured a leadership team that can function without them. We solve the "Sellability Gap" by making your business an autonomous asset.

Q: How do I determine the actual "Strategic Value" of my company? 

A: Strategic value is calculated by looking at Forward-Looking EBITDA and your Risk Profile.

• Traditional Brokerage: Looks at what you did in the past.
• PSR Forecasting: Looks at what a buyer can do in the future. We identify "Value Levers"—areas like recurring revenue and proprietary processes—that justify a higher valuation multiple from sophisticated buyers.

Q: What is the "Prepare" stage (36–24 Months Out)? 

A: This is the most critical phase. We conduct a deep analysis of your operations to identify "Value Killers." We focus on diversifying your customer base and systemizing your workflows so the business is no longer dependent on your daily presence.

Q: What is the "Sell" stage (12 Months Out)? 

A: We position your firm for a "Strategic Acquisition." Instead of a broad listing, we target buyers who see your business as a missing piece of their own puzzle. This is where my 35 years of international deal-making creates a competitive bidding environment.

Q: What is the "Retire" stage (Post-Closing)? 

A: This ensures your exit is a "Total Success." We coordinate with your wealth and tax advisors to ensure that the liquidity event you just achieved is protected and optimized for your long-term retirement security.

Q: Why choose a former Public Company CEO as an exit advisor? 

A: The stakes of an exit are too high for "trial and error." Having managed multi-million dollar international deals and served as a Chairman, I understand the psychological and technical mechanics of high-stakes negotiations. You aren't just getting a consultant; you are getting a partner who has sat on both sides of the boardroom table.