Founding program · Limited spots
Exit Planning Program for Business Owners
Eight weeks, one-on-one with me. You finish with a written plan for getting the most from the sale of your business, whenever you decide to sell.
Quick answer
John Salony’s Exit Planning Program is a private, one-on-one, 8-week program for owners planning to sell in the next one to five years. You meet with John every other week, complete a short assignment in between, and finish with a written exit plan: your value range, top value gaps, a 12–36 month action plan, and likely buyers. The fee is $2,500, credited in full against John’s fee if you later hire him to sell.
Confidential · Written plan in 8 weeks or your money back
Who it’s for
Who is the Exit Planning Program for?
It’s for owners of established, profitable businesses who plan to sell in the next one to five years and want to know what to fix before buyers look.
A good fit if you…
- Plan to sell in one to five years, on your own timing
- Aren't sure what your business would sell for, or why
- Know the business leans on you more than it should
- Want a plan you can act on, not a stack of reading
Not the right fit if you…
- Are ready to sell now. Start here instead.
- Only want a number. Request a free Broker’s Opinion of Value.
- Need tax, legal, or investment advice
The 8 weeks
How do the 8 weeks work?
We meet for 60 minutes every other week, and each week in between has one focused assignment with feedback by email. There is something to do every week, so the plan keeps moving.
Week 1 · Session
Your baseline
A 60-minute call on your goals, timing, and what you need from a sale. We walk through your YourExitValue numbers and agree on what to work on first.
Week 2 · Assignment
Gather the numbers
Pull three years of financials and your top ten customers by revenue. I review them before our next call.
Week 3 · Session
Value and value gaps
How a buyer would read your earnings: add-backs, customer concentration, owner dependence. You leave knowing your top three value gaps.
Week 4 · Assignment
Map owner dependence
List every relationship, decision, and task that only you handle. This is usually the biggest gap and the slowest to fix.
Week 5 · Session
Buyers and deal structure
Who is buying businesses like yours, what they pay for, and the structures to expect: asset vs. stock sale, seller notes, earnouts.
Week 6 · Assignment
Draft your action list
Turn the gaps into specific fixes with owners and dates. I comment on the draft by email.
Week 7 · Session
Build the plan
We finalize your 12–36 month action plan and the timing that fits your personal goals.
Week 8 · Delivery
Your written exit plan
You receive your written plan, plus the questions to take to your CPA, attorney, and financial advisor.
The result
What do you walk away with?
A written exit plan specific to your business, built in four working sessions with an advisor who sells businesses for a living. It includes:
- A realistic value range, based on how buyers in your industry price businesses like yours
- Your top three value gaps, ranked by how much they cost you
- A 12–36 month action plan with specific fixes and dates
- The buyer types most likely to pay for your business, and what each one looks for
- Questions to coordinate with your CPA, attorney, and financial advisor
Price
What does the program cost?
The fee is $2,500, paid once. Two commitments come with it.
Program fee
$2,500
Eight weeks, one-on-one, written plan included
Full credit, no expiration
If you ever hire me to sell your business, the full program fee is credited against my fee. There is no deadline.
The guarantee
Attend the four sessions and complete the assignments, and you’ll have your written exit plan by the end of week 8, or your full fee is refunded.
Why me
Why plan your exit with John Salony?
Because the plan should come from someone who sells businesses, and knows what buyers actually pay for.
Most brokers get involved only when you’re ready to sell. I work with owners one to five years before a sale, when there is still time to fix what costs them value. My background in investment banking, corporate finance, and acquisitions means I read your business the way a buyer will.
Read my full background →The free tool
How is this different from YourExitValue?
YourExitValue is a free tool that estimates your value and readiness; this program is my time, applied to your business.
Many owners start with the free calculator, then join the program to turn the number into a plan. You’ll use YourExitValue as your workbook during the eight weeks, and it stays free whether or not you join.
Run your free valuation at YourExitValue →Read the free exit planning guide →
Questions owners ask
What do owners ask before joining?
Is this a group class?
No. Every session is one-on-one with me. I work with a small number of owners at a time so each plan gets real attention.
How much time does it take each week?
About an hour for each of the four calls, and one to two hours for each assignment. Most assignments use records you already have.
Do I have to sell my business through you afterward?
No. The plan is yours to use however you choose. If you later hire me to sell your business, the full program fee is credited against my fee, with no expiration.
What does the guarantee cover?
If you attend the four sessions and complete the assignments, you will have your written exit plan by the end of week 8, or I refund the full fee.
Is this tax, legal, or investment advice?
No. The program covers business value, buyers, and sale readiness. Tax, legal, and investment decisions belong with your CPA, attorney, and financial advisor, and your plan lists what to ask them.
Is it confidential?
Yes. Nothing about your business is shared with anyone, and I will sign a non-disclosure agreement before you send financials if you prefer.
What if I'm ready to sell now?
Then you don't need this program. Start with a free Broker's Opinion of Value or a conversation about selling instead. How the sale process works →
Founding spots are limited
How do you apply?
Send a short application. I reply within one business day to set up a brief call and make sure the program fits your business and your timing.
Confidential · $2,500 · Credited in full if you sell with me
