ServicesExit Planning
Exit Planning in Elgin, TX
Most owners know they want out someday. Few know what has to happen first. We sit down with you, look at where the business stands and build a plan with real dates for getting ready, going to market and handing over the keys.
A plan for leaving, with dates on it
Exit planning is the work you do before a sale, often a year or more ahead. We look at your numbers, your role in the day-to-day and what you need from the deal. Then we lay out the steps in order, with a realistic window for each one.
Some owners find they are ready now and move straight to Sell a Business. Others need time to clean up records, train a manager or settle a lease. Either way, you know what comes next and about how long it takes. If something slips, like a slow tax filing or a key employee leaving, we tell you and adjust the schedule instead of letting it drift.
What the planning covers
- 01
A starting valuation
We put a number on the business as it stands today. Our valuations are free and confidential. That number is the baseline for everything else in the plan.
- 02
A readiness review
We go through your financials, contracts, leases and staffing. We point out what a buyer will ask about and what could slow a deal down.
- 03
A written timeline
You get the steps in order, with a target window for each. Dates are honest, not hopeful, so you can plan your own life around them.
- 04
Your exit options
A sale to an outside buyer, a partner buyout, handing off to family or a key employee. We explain how each one usually plays out. Partner Buyouts and Succession covers the inside options in more depth.
- 05
Check-ins as things change
We set regular check-ins so the plan stays current. When a step runs long, you hear it from us first, along with what it does to the rest of the schedule.
Questions about Exit Planning?
Call(512) 549-2955When to begin planning your exit
You'd like to leave within two to five years
It feels like a long runway. It shrinks quickly once you add up the work buyers expect to find finished.
Everything runs through you
When customers, suppliers or employees deal only with the owner, buyers see a risk. Planning ahead gives you time to pass some of that to others.
Personal spending runs through the books
Lenders and buyers expect clean records. Showing true earnings can take a full year of tidy statements.
Your lease is close to ending
Little time left on a lease can turn away buyers and lenders. A plan gives you the chance to renew or rework it before listing.
Health or family is setting the clock
You don't always get to choose the date. Planning early keeps a firm deadline from pushing you into a hurried sale.
The steps of planning your exit
- 1
An opening talk
We meet in our office or by phone or video. You share what you want from the business and your timing. There is no charge, and it stays confidential.
- 2
Valuation and findings
We collect your financials and main documents and prepare a valuation. Then we walk you through what turned up, strengths and weak spots, in plain language.
- 3
A written schedule
We list each step, who owns it and a target window. Some fall to you, some to us, and some to your CPA or attorney.
- 4
Preparing the business
You work down the list and we check in on a regular schedule. When a step falls behind, we shift the dates and explain why.
- 5
Listing for sale
Once the business is ready, the work turns to selling it. Listing your business with us costs nothing up front.
What shapes the timeline and the cost
Your first consultation is free, and there are no retainers and no hidden fees. What changes most from one owner to the next is how much work the plan holds and how long it takes. These are the things that move it.
- How clean your records are
- Tidy, separate books shorten everything. Mixed or missing records add months, since buyers will want a clear earnings history.
- How much the business leans on you
- Training a manager or moving key accounts to staff takes time. The more of it there is, the longer the runway.
- Real estate in the picture
- Owning the building adds decisions about selling it, leasing it to the buyer or keeping it. Business and Property Sales covers that side.
- Number of owners
- Two or more partners means more people to agree on timing and terms. That can stretch the plan.
- How soon you need out
- A short deadline means fewer steps get done before listing. A longer runway usually gives you a stronger position with buyers.
Common exit planning questions
When should I start planning?
Aim for two to three years before your target exit. That leaves room to tidy your records and build a record of steady earnings. With less time we can still make a plan, just with fewer steps and tighter dates.
Could my staff or customers hear about this?
Not through us. Your planning is kept confidential. We help you think through when and how to tell the people who matter, and the decision is yours.
Will you take the place of my CPA or attorney?
No. Our part is the business side: valuation, getting ready and finding buyers. Your own CPA and attorney handle tax and legal matters, and we coordinate with them on timing.
What happens if my plans shift along the way?
That happens a lot. A health problem, a large new contract or a partner who changes course can all move things. We rework the schedule with you and explain plainly what the change means.
After the plan is finished, must I sell through you?
No, you keep the plan either way. Plenty of owners list with us once they are ready, and listing your business with us costs nothing up front.
Can you help if my business isn't in Elgin?
Yes. We help owners in Elgin and nearby Manor, Hutto, Taylor and Bastrop. We meet at our office or by phone and video.
Start with a date in mind
Tell us when you would like to step away. We will tell you honestly what it takes to get there and how long each step should run.