San Antonio, Texas
Exit Planning Guide
What is an Exit Plan?
An exit plan is a roadmap you create well before you leave your business. It helps ensure that when the time comes, you exit on your own terms—financially, emotionally, and operationally. A strong exit plan considers how the business operates, who’s involved, the value of the business, and what you want to happen after you leave.
Why You Need One
Helps you make decisions now that build long-term value.
Makes your business more appealing to buyers or successors.
Ensures a smoother transition with fewer surprises.
Lets you align your personal goals (retirement, next venture, etc.) with the future of the business.
Can help preserve value if the business is struggling, by minimizing losses.
Plan Ahead...
Key Exit Plan Options
Here are ways you might exit your business. Pick what fits your goals:
| Option | What it Means | Quick Example |
|---|---|---|
| Sell to an external buyer | Selling to someone outside: investor, competitor, or third-party. | Selling a boutique café to a regional café chain. |
| Transfer to internal parties | Passing the business to family, partners, or key employees. | Grooming a trusted manager to take over a landscape business. |
| Merge or be acquired | Joining with or being bought by another company. | A small digital agency merging with a larger one to offer more services. |
| Liquidate or close | Shutting down operations and selling off assets. | A retail shop closing and selling inventory, equipment. |
Steps to Build Your Exit Plan
Here are practical steps you can follow. Think of this as a checklist to guide your journey.
Clarify Your Goals
Decide what you want personally and professionally after you exit—retirement, another business, passive income, legacy, etc. Use that to define what success looks like for you.Evaluate Business Readiness
Take a close look at your financials, operations, staff, and systems. What needs fixing so the business is solid and valuable when you leave?Explore Different Structures
Investigate sale types and ownership options: full sale, phased sale, equity share, or succession to family/partner. Think about the tax, legal, and financial impact.Choose Successors or Leadership
If you’re transferring internally, pick someone who aligns with your values, knows the business, and can lead. Prepare them and document what responsibilities will shift.Communicate with Key Stakeholders
Tell investors, employees, or partners in a thoughtful way. Keep customers or clients in the loop if ownership is changing. Transparency builds trust and eases transition.Plan for the Exit Event
Lay out all operational, financial, and legal actions needed: valuation, negotiations, transition timeline, contracts, tax planning.Review & Adjust Over Time
Your exit plan isn’t static. As your business grows, the market changes, or your goals shift, go back and adjust your plan.
What Makes a Good Exit Plan Work
Starts early — more time = more options.
Accurate valuation — know what your business is truly worth.
Well-documented processes — the clearer your operations, the more attractive the business.
Strong leadership or successor(s) in place.
Transparent communication with everyone involved.
Tax & legal planning so you don’t face surprises.
