EXIT PLANNING SERVICES
Business Exit Planning Services That Focus on Building Value First
You don't need more information. You need a plan. We help small business owners build
valuable, transferable, exit-ready businesses, so that when the time comes to step away,
you can do it on your terms.
Plan the route. Drive the growth. Own the exit.
Led by a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA). Serving business owners nationwide.
Confidential • No Obligation
What Is Exit Planning?
Exit planning is the ongoing process of building a business that is valuable, transferable, and less dependent on its owner. It's the work of increasing what your business is worth and reducing the risks that would scare off a future buyer, so that when you're ready to sell, transition, or step back, your business is ready too.
Most owners assume exit planning is something you do right before you sell. In reality, the businesses that sell successfully, and for the best price, started years earlier. Exit planning gives you options. It turns your business from a job you own into an asset you can eventually transfer on your terms.
For most owners, their business is their single largest asset. Yet fewer than one in five businesses that go to market actually sell successfully. That's not because those owners didn't work hard. It's because they weren't prepared. Exit planning is how you prepare.
What We Do (And What We Don't)
There's an important distinction that shapes everything about how we work. Exit planning covers a wide continuum,
from first assessing a business all the way through the final sale transaction. SMB Navigator focuses
on the part of that continuum where lasting value is actually built.
What We Do
We help you understand where your business stands today, assess its value, reduce its risk, improve financial visibility, build forecasting and accountability systems, and systematically increase what your business is worth. This is the foundation that makes any
future exit successful.
What We Don't Do
We are not a business brokerage, an M&A advisory firm, or a transaction advisory firm. We don't list your business or find buyers. When you're genuinely ready to sell, we coordinate with the right specialists for that stage. M&A advisors, investment bankers, transaction attorneys, tax advisors, and wealth managers.
Think of it this way. We help you build a business worth buying. Then we help you hand it off to the right people when the time is right.
THE PRINCIPAL ADVISOR
Why Work With a Certified Exit Planning Advisor
Exit planning sits at the intersection of financial strategy, business operations, and personal goals. It takes more than a bookkeeper or a general business coach to do it well. SMB Navigator is led by Scott Leach, a CPA, Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), and Certified Value Growth Advisor (CVGA).
That combination matters. The CPA foundation means we read your financials the way a buyer's team eventually will. The CEPA credential means we understand every stage of a business transition. The CVGA credential means we know how to close the gap between what your business is worth today and what it could be worth to the right buyer.
Scott rose from welding in the West Texas oil fields to serving as CFO of a multi-billion-dollar division of a Fortune 500 company, then left corporate leadership to buy, grow, and sell his own business. He has sat on both sides of the table you'll eventually sit at.
SCOTT LEACH - CPA, CEPA, CVGA
OUR PROCESS
The Value Growth Journey
Building a valuable business doesn't happen by accident. It happens with intention. We use a road trip framework, because before you can map a route, you need to know where you are, decide where you're going, and build the plan to get there.
Stage I — Current Location: We start with an honest diagnostic of where your business stands today, including a baseline valuation and a review of your financials, operations, and risk factors. You can't plan a route until you know your starting point.
Stage II — The Destination: We define where you're going. We clarify your vision, align it with your personal and financial goals, and set the strategic targets that give your business direction. This is your compass.
Stage III — The Roadmap: We turn your vision into a clear, measurable plan with forecasting, reporting, dashboards, and a decision-making framework. This is where strategy becomes action.
Stage IV — Acceleration: We work alongside you in focused 90-day execution cycles with ongoing accountability. Most owners stay here, refining and building value, until they decide to exit.
LEVELS OF ENGAGEMENT
The Right Level of Support for Where You Are
Every client follows the same proven process. What changes is the depth of support and how often we update your forecasts and business valuation, depending on where your business is today.
Navigator Core
For owners building the foundation. The right fit if you're gaining traction, need clarity in your numbers, and are starting to think more intentionally about the future.
Navigator Pro
For owners scaling with intention. The right fit if you have momentum, need structure and forward planning, and are feeling the operational complexity that comes with growth.
Navigator Elite
For owners preparing for what's next. The right fit if you're more established, want to maximize value, and are actively thinking about transition or exit.
Each level includes the full Value Growth Journey. We'll help you determine the right starting point during your discovery call.
Who We Serve
We do our best work with founder-led businesses generating roughly $500K to $5M in annual revenue. Owners who often don't have an in-house controller, CFO, or finance department, and who rely on us for the financial clarity and strategic guidance that larger companies take for granted.
Our services are a great fit if you:
Want to grow with intention, not just react
Are open to guidance, structure, and accountability
Want clarity around your financials and strategy
Care about building long-term value in your business
It may not be the right fit if you:
Are only looking for basic bookkeeping or transactional support
Want quick answers without a long-term strategy
Don't view your business as a long-term asset
If you're ready to build a more valuable, scalable, and sellable business, let's start building toward that together.
What Business Owners Say
Results That Speak Volumes
Frequently Asked Questions About Exit Planning
What is exit planning, in simple terms?
Exit planning is the process of building a business that is valuable, transferable, and less dependent on you as the owner, so you can eventually sell, transition, or step away on your terms. It focuses on growing value and reducing risk over time, not just the final sale.
When should I start exit planning?
The best time is years before you intend to exit. The businesses that sell for the most, and actually close, are the ones that started early. Starting sooner gives you time to increase value and fix the risks that would otherwise lower your price or kill a deal.
Is SMB Navigator a business broker?
No. We are not a broker, M&A firm, or transaction advisor. We focus on assessing your business and growing its value and readiness. When you're ready to sell, we coordinate with the specialists who handle the transaction itself.
How much does exit planning cost?
Engagements are scoped to your business and the level of support you need. We don't use one-size-fits-all packages. We'll walk you through the right fit during your complimentary discovery call.
Do you only work with businesses in Texas?
No. We're headquartered in North Texas and serve business owners nationwide. Our process and tools are delivered virtually, so you can work with us from anywhere in the United States.
Start With a Complimentary Discovery Call
You don't need to have everything figured out to get started. You just need a clear next step. We'll understand where you are today, talk through where you want to go, identify opportunities and gaps, and determine whether we're the right fit to guide you forward.
"We Meet You Where You're At."
An exit planning advisory firm helping small business owners build valuable, transferable businesses and exit on their own terms. Headquartered in North Texas. Serving clients nationwide.
Office & Contact
North Texas Headquarters:
13100 US HWY 287, Suite 134, Haslet, TX 76052
📧 [email protected]
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