As Exit Planning Institute® (EPI) continues to find new ways to provide education on exit planning and the Value Acceleration Methodology™, it became vital to find innovative and engaging ways to share practical insights from Certified Exit Planning Advisors (CEPA®) to demonstrate real-world examples of this education. Enter the inaugural issue of the Annual Exit magazine.
This first-of-its-kind magazine highlights an array of relevant, interesting feature articles that provide different insights and perspectives from industry leaders, including both CEPAs and non-CEPAs. Some topics covered include business owner mental health, banker relationships, eating to lead, debunking exit planning, and more. But the Annual Exit is not just about the “what.” It is also about the “why.” Why did EPI create this magazine?
It is an opportunity for CEPAs and business owners to view different perspectives from the exit planning community. It is an opportunity to have something in hand that they can hold and share with their community to better understand various subjects that might not always be top of mind in their everyday practice. For instance, a CEPA may want to be better able to connect with their business owner client. Pieces from the Annual Exit, like the “Tackling Mental Health Challenges as a Business Owner” feature or the “Nothing is Strictly Business: A Human-First Approach to Engaging Business Owners” feature, offer perspectives and even starting points for how to become a better communicator with business owners.
On first look, readers will note the Annual Exit’s cover featuring EPI’s Peter Christman Exit Planner of the Year 2024 Winner, Amy Wirtz, CEPA®. Amy is an integral leader in the EPI community, because of her ability to educate and communicate. In the cover story, “Being Authentically Curious with Amy Wirtz,” Amy shares what it means to be authentic in all her relationships, including those with business owners.
“And we say at the Family Business Consulting Group, if you've met one family business owner, you've met one family business owner. You cannot have a box solution for humans. You have to get to know them,” Amy says. “You have to get to know what's keeping them up at night. You have to get to know what's exciting them. What do they dream about? What do they have nightmares about? What systems are they most excited about and what are they most afraid about?”
You can read more about Amy and her philosophy in the first edition of the Annual Exit and her various contributions to our EPI blog.
Many other contributors made the Annual Exit possible by sharing their experiences, advice, and enthusiasm for exit planning. These contributors are LINKS Creative Alliance, Cara Gray, CEPA®, Luci Gabel, MBA, MA, Rick Krebs, CEPA®, MA, CPA, Joe Strazzeri, Esq., CEPA®, Jennifer Wilks, Audra Popik, LPCC, LICDC, LSW, Mark Kraveitz, CEPA®, Greg Merrill, CEPA®, and Todd Krough, CEPA®. Without their willingness to share their stories, the Annual Exit would not be possible.
EPI will continue its mission of educating advisors on the Value Acceleration Methodology to help business owners achieve exits and expand their knowledge of the importance of building value before the point of exit. The Annual Exit will continue every year to stay timely and valuable for advisors, business owners, and other community members.
To find the Annual Exit, visit EPI’s page here.