Assess Your Exit Readiness — Not Just Today, But Tomorrow
Plan Your Exit with Confidence.
Protect Your Legacy. Maximize Your Value.
Assess Your Exit Readiness, Not Just Today, But Tomorrow
What will the real cost be if you wait another year to plan your exit? How prepared is your business for a sale 36 months out, and what could shift in the market before then? If those questions feel uncomfortable, you’re not alone. Many owners realize too late that value leaks quietly when planning is deferred. At Lion Business Advisors, our Sellability Score™ tool gives you early clarity, so you’re not moving into a major transaction on guesswork. With AI-enabled modeling and veteran advisory insight, you get a roadmap that embraces where you are now, projects where you need to be, and sets a clear plan for how to get there.Why Early Exit Planning Matters
Focusing on the exit isn’t about quitting your business, it’s about taking strategic control.
A business owner who waits until “we’ll see how things go this year” often leaves up to 30-50% of value untapped.
Conversely, an owner who uses an exit planning framework now can steer operations, systems and culture in ways buyers prize.
You built this business. You deserve the time to optimize it, not just convert it.
That’s what this exit planning page is for. It walks you through how we help, step by step, with tools and processes designed for owner-led, founder-built businesses valued between $1M and $50M.
The 3 Assessments we offer:
Our Strategic Exit-Planning Framework
1. Valuation Modeling & Forecasting
We use AI-powered analytics to simulate your business’s value today and in future scenarios.- Explore “What if I reduce owner dependency by 30%?” or “What if recurring revenue grows 20%?”
- See forecasted valuations over 12, 24 and 60 months, factoring in market cycle, growth, and risk factors.
- Because you’re asking “What would a serious buyer pay?”, we start there, with data derived from live buyer behavior.
2. Tax & Financial Impact Planning
Value matters, but so does what you take home.- We run analyses showing your net after tax under various exit scenarios.
- Discuss strategies such as seller financing, earn-out structures, rollover equity and more.
- Control timing so you maximize your business exit, not just the headline number.
3. Readiness Assessment & Sellability Score™
The Sellability Score™ is your pulse check on market readiness.- Our proprietary assessment evaluates key buyer drivers: profitability trends, customer concentration, recurring revenue, management strength, systems maturity, geographic spread.
- Receive a detailed report: your current score, how you compare to industry peers, and a prioritized roadmap of improvement tasks.
- With timeline clarity: ready now vs 1-3 years vs 3-5 years.
4. Risk Reduction & Operational Improvement
We help you fix what buyers spot, and what often kills deals.- Owner dependency, key person risk, unstructured contracts, and undocumented processes, all flagged early.
- Through targeted initiatives, we help you reduce those risks and raise the premium you can command.
- Owners who address risk ahead of market see faster deals and stronger terms.
5. Succession Planning & Owner Transition Strategy
Your exit is as much personal as it is professional.- What is your role in Year 1, Year 2 post-sale? What legacy do you want to leave?
- We craft a business transition strategy for you, your team, and your business so that value, continuity, and your next chapter are aligned.
- Succession planning isn’t just replacing you, it’s preparing your business so you’re no longer the bottleneck.
6. Exit Timing & Market Readiness
When you sell is as important as how you sell.- We evaluate market cycle risk, buyer activity trends, regional dynamics, and sector-specific demand.
- Help you decide: list now, wait 12 months, or invest in 24–36 months of optimization.
- That timing decision drives pricing strategy, marketing approach, and deal-structure options.
7. Interactive Tools & Next-Step Resources
We believe planning should be interactive, actionable and transparent.- Personal Readiness to Exit — Get your PRE Score A measure of your Personal Readiness to Exit your business: this includes a summary of unseen factors that could lead to regret.
- Lifestyle After Exit Score — Calculate Your Freedom Point There comes a time when the sale of your company will generate enough income to fund the rest of your life. We call it the Freedom Point.
- Downloadable Guide: “Your Exit Planning Roadmap” — A guide to help business owners prepare for a smooth and profitable exit.
- Downloadable Guide: “Most Common Mistakes Sellers Make” — Avoiding Costly Pitfalls in Business Sales.
Proof of Strategy, Not Just Promise
Example A: Texas Regional Manufacturing Business
Challenge: Owner planned to sell in 3 years but didn’t know where to start. Business was heavily owner-dependent. What We Did: Ran our Sellability Score™ in “3-year” mode. They focused on owner dependency, documented processes, and hired a general manager. Score improved from 42/100 to 87/100. Outcome: Six months after listing, they closed at 18% above their initial target price. Buyer valued the documented systems and management team.Example B: Southwestern Service Business
Challenge: Owner was ready to sell immediately, but unsure if timing was right. What We Did: Used scenario modeling to compare “list now” vs “optimize for 15 months.” Analysis showed significant value upside with targeted readiness work. Outcome: Owner delayed listing by 15 months, implemented operational improvements, and received two competing offers at a 22% higher multiple than the original projection.These are anonymized examples but real outcomes. The message is: planning ahead produces measurable results.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon should I start exit planning?
Early is better. The more time you have to optimize, the more control you have. Think of 12–36 months as the sweet spot—long enough to build value, short enough to stay focused.Do I have to be listing right now to use this?
No. This is for owners planning today, not necessarily selling tomorrow. Whether you sell in 12 months or 5 years, understanding where you stand and where you can go changes everything.Does the AI replace human advisors?
Not at all. Our AI tools provide modeling and scenario analysis, but decisions remain human. Your lead advisor interprets the data, guides strategy and ensures the plan aligns with your goals.What is the typical cost for exit planning services?
Costs vary depending on complexity, business size and timeline. We’ll present a clear fee outline once we understand your situation. Many owners view this as investment, not expense, because the value created often outweighs the cost.Can this also help my advisors (CPA, attorney, wealth manager)?
Yes. We welcome working directly with your existing advisors. The Sellability Score™ and roadmap deliver a shared language around value, timing, tax and transition.Will this delay my exit listing?
Only if you need to delay. Our goal is to give you options. Sometimes the best outcome is listing now; other times, investing 12–24 months in readiness delivers a superior outcome.Latest Article
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Local exit planning advisors in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio
