Most business owners wait too long to think about exit planning. They assume it’s something to deal with when they’re ready to retire, burn out, or sell quickly. But the truth is: the best time to start exit planning is while your business is still growing.
So, how do you start planning your exit while scaling your company? You do it the same way you plan for growth—with intention, data, and clear goals.
Here’s how it works.
Exit Planning Is Not About Quitting
Let’s clear up a myth: exit planning is not about walking away from your business. It’s about making sure you’re building a company that can succeed without you—and that has value, even if you step away someday.
It’s also about creating options. Whether you want to sell, transfer ownership, or simply take on a different role, exit planning puts you in control of that transition.
You don’t need to have an exact date in mind. You just need to prepare for the possibility, so you’re not caught off guard when the time comes.
That’s exactly what we help business owners do with our Exit Strategy Consulting services.
Why You Should Plan While You’re Growing
The best time to think about your exit is when your business is healthy. That’s when you have the most flexibility, leverage, and time to make smart decisions.
If you wait until growth slows, or you’re burned out, you’re planning from a place of stress or urgency. That can lead to rushed decisions and a lower valuation.
Starting early gives you time to:
- Improve your financials
- Build a stronger leadership team
- Document your processes
- Reduce owner dependence
- Maximize business value over time
These are things that take months—or even years—to develop. Starting now ensures you’re not scrambling later.
What Exit Planning Actually Involves
Exit planning isn’t just about selling the business. It’s about shaping the business to thrive without you and to become more valuable to others.
A good exit strategy often includes:
- Clear personal and financial goals
- Business valuation and value drivers
- Tax and legal planning
- Succession planning or leadership transitions
- Timeline and milestone tracking
It’s a long-term strategy that works hand-in-hand with your growth plan.
Learn more about how this process works on our Exit Strategy Consulting page.
Align Your Growth With Your Exit
Your growth strategy should support your future exit goals—not compete with them. For example:
- If you want to sell to a third party: Focus on increasing recurring revenue, reducing risk, and improving systems.
- If you want to transition to family or a team member: Start developing that person’s leadership skills now.
- If you want to sell in 3–5 years: Start cleaning up your financials and documenting key processes today.
The sooner you align your growth with your exit path, the easier that transition will be.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are a few mistakes business owners make when it comes to exit planning:
- Waiting too long: This is the biggest one. Time is your most valuable asset in planning an exit.
- Not knowing what the business is worth: Many owners overestimate or underestimate their company’s value.
- Being too involved in daily operations: A business that depends on the owner is harder to sell or transfer.
- Not having a plan at all: Hoping for the best is not a strategy.
Avoiding these pitfalls starts with early, intentional planning—something we walk through step-by-step in our Exit Strategy Consulting service.
First Steps to Start Now
If you’re ready to think about the future, but still focused on growing, here’s how to start exit planning today:
- Clarify your long-term goals. What do you want your life and business to look like in 5–10 years?
- Get a business valuation. You can’t improve what you don’t measure.
- Review your leadership structure. Could the business run without you?
- Document your key processes. The more your business runs on systems, not people, the more valuable it becomes.
- Talk to a trusted advisor. Don’t try to figure it all out alone. A professional can help you create a practical, phased plan.
Final Thought
Exit planning is not the end of your business—it’s part of building a better one. When you plan your exit while still growing, you protect your investment, increase your options, and give yourself peace of mind.
It’s never too early to start.
If you want guidance that fits your timeline and business goals, explore our Exit Strategy Consulting services and take your first step today.