Most business owners don’t want to think about exit planning. You spend years focused on growth, not on selling. It feels distant, uncomfortable, or even unnecessary, and you’ll get to it “someday.”

But as Chris Jones, CEO of Sunbelt Business Advisors and True North Mergers and Acquisitions, writes in his foreword to Poised for Exit by Julie Keyes:

“You can control your exit, or your exit can happen to you.”

“I do it anyway because it is critical to my future, my family, and my employees.”

Chris, as well as our whole team of advisors, have helped countless owners sell their companies, and we’ve seen both sides of the equation: those who plan ahead and those who don’t. The difference can mean everything for your future and for the future of the business. 

Why Exit Planning Matters, Even If You’re Not Selling Yet

Chris has spent over 20 years helping business owners sell their companies. His biggest takeaway? The ones who plan early win – every time. Too often, owners delay exit planning because they’re busy, or because if feels premature. But avoidance can be expensive. He writes that “business value is the ultimate accountability partner.” It doesn’t judge, it simply reflects the health of your business. When you track it, your business gets better. When you ignore it, risk builds in silence.

Planning Early Can Change Everything

When you put an exit plan in place:

• Your business becomes less dependent on you.
• Profits and efficiency improve.
• Your team gets stronger, your value grows, and you gain clarity about your future.

When you don’t, you risk:

• Losing control of timing and value.
• Facing burnout or forced decisions.
• Watching your life’s work fade because you waited too long.

Exit Planning = Better Business

As Chris explains, exit planning isn’t just for selling, it’s also about running a healthier business today. If you’re a business owner, Poised for Exit by Julie Keyes is one of the best resources you can read right now. It’s practical, real-world, and rooted in decades of experience helping owners like you protect what they’ve built.

When you’re ready to apply these lessons to your own business, Sunbelt and True North can help. Our team works with owners across every industry to define goals, assess value, and create an exit plan that fits both your financial and personal vision.

Because the best exits are planned, not forced.