Cap, Gown, and Closing Deals: Why Now’s the Time to Plan Your Business Exit

Chantil Cammack
May 13
2 min read

It’s graduation season, the time of year when caps fly, speeches drag on, and parents cry tears of joy (and tuition relief). While college students are busy framing their degrees and figuring out how to do laundry on their own, there’s another group of people who should be thinking about graduating too:

Business owners.

No, you don’t get a diploma or a ceremonial walk across a stage (unless you make one yourself, in which case—please send video). But you do deserve to plan your own version of graduation: a clean, profitable, and well-timed exit from the business you’ve worked so hard to build.

"Graduating" From Your Business Isn’t a Sign of Quitting—It’s the Goal

Let’s be honest. You didn’t start your business to chain yourself to it forever.

Maybe at first, you were just trying to make payroll, build a team, and survive tax season without developing a coffee dependency. But now? You’re thinking legacy. Freedom. Maybe even a beach.

Here’s the kicker: most business owners wait way too long to start planning their exit. Then they get a surprise offer or hit burnout, and suddenly they’re trying to sell a company like it’s a used car—“Runs great! Just needs a little TLC!”

You deserve better. So does your business.

Build Before You Bounce

Planning an exit isn’t about selling tomorrow. It’s about making your business more valuable today so that when you’re ready, buyers line up like it’s Black Friday at Best Buy.

Here’s what early planning gets you:

A stronger valuation (aka, more money in your pocket)
More control over your timing and terms
Fewer “uh-oh” moments during due diligence

At Exit IQ, we help you identify what’s hurting your business value—and give you a roadmap to fix it before it matters most.

Your Business Valuation Is Basically Your Final Exam

And no, you can’t cram for this one the night before.

If you don’t know what your business is worth right now, you’re not alone. Most owners are shocked when they finally find out—and not in a “surprise party” way.

Think of it like checking your GPA before graduation. It’s helpful to know if you’re walking out summa cum laude or just hoping nobody notices your grade in Business 101.