Mastering Exit Planning For Business Owners

In this episode of The Runway Decade Podcast, Bill and Pete Bush dive into the vital subject of exit planning for business owners, particularly those in their fifties. Pete shares insights from earning his Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation and outlines how business owners can start planning for a successful exit—years in advance. They walk through the three-legged stool of readiness, the impact of intangible capital, the structure of a successful exit team, and the value acceleration methodology that helps business owners be always ready, not just at retirement. Whether you're just starting or thinking about selling in a few years, this episode provides a roadmap to begin preparing now.

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Chapters:

00:20 – Introduction to Exit Planning
Bill and Pete catch up and introduce the topic: exit planning for business owners, especially during their runway decade.

00:45 – CEPA Designation and Experience
Pete explains his journey to becoming a Certified Exit Planning Advisor and how it’s deepened his ability to help business owners prepare for transition.

03:03 – The Three-Legged Stool of Readiness
They break down the three aspects of readiness:

• Business readiness
• Personal readiness (often overlooked)
• Financial readiness

05:29 – The Risk of Staying Too Long
Pete discusses how lack of personal planning can derail transitions and why some owners resist exiting due to uncertainty about the next chapter of life.

06:50 – Staying On as a Transition Strategy
They explore when it makes sense for an owner to stay on post-sale to de-risk the transition for a buyer.

07:35 – Understanding Intangible Capital
Pete details the four types of intangible capital that can drive 75–80% of a business’s value:

1. Human Capital
2. Structural Capital
3. Customer Capital
4. Social (Cultural) Capital

12:31 – Building Your Exit Planning Team
Pete outlines the key players in an exit planning team:

• Attorney
• CPA/Tax specialist
• M&A advisor
• Value growth expert
• Insurance specialist
• Financial advisor/SEPA
  He emphasizes the importance of collaboration among them.

16:00 – Diversifying Outside the Business
They discuss why it’s crucial for business owners to build wealth outside the business to reduce personal concentration risk.

18:23 – Exit Planning = Business Planning
Pete explains how treating the business as an investment and preparing for transferability is just good business sense.

19:34 – When Should Exit Planning Start?
Answer: Now. Pete introduces the Value Acceleration Methodology:

1. Discover
2. Prepare
3. Decide
   And references the Nick Saban motto: “If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.”

21:46 – How to Find a CEPA & What They Offer
Resources for finding a Certified Exit Planning Advisor, including:

• Exit Planning Institute
• Value gap analysis, profit gap, and wealth gap assessments
• Process-oriented planning and scorecards

24:55 – Final Thoughts & Contact Info
Business owners can contact Pete Bush at [email protected] for free resources, checklists, or a discussion about their exit goals.
Website: HorizonFG.com

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Key Takeaways:

• Start exit planning early—not when you're ready to sell.
• Understand the three-legged stool: business, personal, and financial readiness.
• Intangible capital drives most of your company’s value.
• A cohesive planning team is essential.
• Treat your business like an investment and plan for transferability.
• Exit planning is good business planning.

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Sound Bites:

“The three-legged stool of readiness.”
“What do you want to do with your time?”
“Get in touch with a CEPA for guidance.”
“Exit planning is now, not later.”

 

Contact Info:

Pete Bush:  [email protected]

Bill Bush: [email protected]

www.horizonfg.com

www.runwaydecdade.com