SMB Exit Coach
Exiting your business isn’t like handing off a baton in a relay race—it’s more like dismantling a house of cards you’ve spent years building, without letting a single card fall out of place. And it’s not just about finding someone to take over; it’s about carefully preserving what you’ve built. You have to maximize the payoff for all those late nights and sacrificed weekends, and forge a new path for yourself beyond the sale.
Most owners who try to handle the whole process, sometimes even with brokers, find themselves tangled up in a web of financial prep, buyer negotiations, and transition plans they didn’t even know were a thing. That’s where a Silverwave exit coach comes in—someone who knows exactly where each card goes, and keeps your vision at the center. With a Silverwave exit coach by your side, you’ll sidestep costly errors, draw in the right buyers, and walk away with a deal that honors every single card you’ve placed in that tower of yours.
Our core offering is to provide in-depth, personalized support throughout your exit process. Here’s a breakdown to make it as valuable and seamless as possible:
Core SMB Exit Plan
1. Initial Consultation & Assessment
Purpose: Establish rapport, understand your business, and assess exit readiness.
Details: A 1-2 hour session to discuss the business’s current state, financials, and your personal and financial goals for the exit.
Outcome: A comprehensive report on exit readiness, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement, plus a clear set of next steps.
2. Customized Exit Strategy Development
Purpose: Create a detailed plan tailored to your goals, timeline, and ideal exit type
Details: A step-by-step exit roadmap that includes milestones, key tasks, and timelines. Bring together your team of professional advisors.
Outcome: A tangible, actionable plan you can work on with guidance over the several months it will take to sell your business.
3. Monthly Coaching & Strategy Calls
Purpose: Ongoing support to keep you on track, adjust strategies as needed, and provide feedback on progress.
Details: One coaching call each month (60-90 minutes) to review progress, address new challenges, and adjust goals as needed. Between sessions, email support is available for quick questions.
Outcome: Consistent accountability, guidance, and problem-solving on a rolling basis.
4. Business Preparation for Sale
Purpose: Optimize business financials, operations, and overall attractiveness to maximize sale value in coordination with your professional advisor team.
Details: Guidance on financial cleanup, operational efficiencies, and any branding adjustments needed to position the business well for sale.
Outcome: A more attractive, organized, and potentially higher-value business ready for buyer’s to review.
5. Buyer Targeting and Outreach Strategy
Purpose: Identify and attract the right type of buyer for the business.
Details: Consultation on crafting a buyer profile and advice on how to attract potential buyers (direct outreach, working with buyer networks, brokers etc.).
Outcome: A specific strategy for finding, connecting with, and engaging the most promising buyers.
6. Negotiation Preparation and Support
Purpose: Equip you to navigate negotiations, respond to offers, and address buyer questions.
Details: Coaching on negotiation tactics, offer evaluation, and responses to buyer concerns or due diligence requests.
Outcome: You’ll feel prepared and confident in negotiating terms that protect and benefit them.
7. Final Sale and Transition Planning
Purpose: Ensure a smooth handover to the buyer and assist the seller in transitioning out of the business.
Details: A transition plan covering responsibilities, timelines, and any post-sale involvement (consulting, training, etc.).
Outcome: You can confidently step back, knowing the business is in good hands and the transition plan is solid.
FSBO Exit Plan
If you’re a seller choosing to go down the For Sale by Owner (FSBO) route by managing the sale yourself, but need support on some of the most challenging aspects of a business sale, Silverwave offers the following support plan:
1. Development of a Confidential Information Memorandum (CIM)
Purpose: Present your business’s strengths and essential details in a polished, professional format designed to attract qualified buyers.
Details: We work with you to gather key information, write a compelling narrative, and organize data that buyers need (financials, operations, market position).
Outcome: A professionally designed and thorough CIM that’s ready for potential buyers, with confidentiality in mind.
2. Strategic Ad Placement on Business Selling Platforms
Purpose: Ensure your business is visible to a large pool of serious buyers by listing it on high-traffic platforms like BizBuySell.
Details: Develop an attractive, engaging listing tailored to capture interest quickly, highlighting key selling points and optimizing keywords for visibility. Inclusion of your business in a Silverwave FSBO post.
Outcome: An optimized, attention-grabbing listing that leverages platform algorithms to attract interest without giving away confidential information.
3. Buyer Screening and Qualification
Purpose: Protect your time and privacy by only connecting them with financially capable, genuinely interested buyers.
Details: Pre-screen inquiries based on financial capability, motivation, and business fit, saving you from the nightmare of the initial back-and-forth with unqualified buyers.
Outcome: A shortlist of vetted, serious buyers, ensuring your time is spent only on worthwhile prospects.
FAQs
Availability and Responsiveness
What is your typical response time for emails or urgent questions that arise between our scheduled sessions?
Our goal is to respond to emails and urgent questions within 24 hours during business days. For time-sensitive matters, we prioritize same-day responses wherever possible.
Is there a preferred method of contact (email, phone, messaging platform) for quick questions, and how often can I expect responses?
Email is the primary channel for most questions. It allows for clear documentation and follow-up. For urgent inquiries, we can coordinate a phone call. Quick responses are typically available within one business day.
Scheduled Meetings and Flexibility
How often will we have scheduled meetings, and is there flexibility if I need additional calls or support outside of our regular sessions?
Our scheduled meetings are held monthly, with each session lasting 60-90 minutes. Additional meetings can be arranged during crucial phases like negotiations or buyer engagement, and we'll work to accommodate extra support without any additional costs for occasional needs.
Can I request more frequent check-ins during critical phases, like buyer negotiations, or will that incur additional costs?
Yes, you can request more frequent check-ins during pivotal stages. We understand that certain phases demand more attention, and we aim to provide flexibility without additional costs, providing it aligns with the scope of your service plan.
Meeting Preparation and Follow-Up
Do you provide a meeting agenda beforehand, and will there be follow-up notes or action items after each session?
Yes, each meeting has a prepared agenda shared in advance, allowing you to prepare effectively. After each session, we’ll follow up with key takeaways, action items, and timelines to keep you on track.
How much time should I plan to spend preparing for each meeting to make the most of our time together?
Plan to spend about 30-60 minutes reviewing prior notes, gathering relevant documents, and identifying any new questions or concerns. Preparation helps maximize the productivity of each session.
Email and Document Reviews
If I send over documents, financials, or other materials for review, what’s the typical turnaround time for feedback?
Document reviews generally have a turnaround time of 3-5 business days. For shorter, straightforward questions or materials, you can expect a quicker response.
How in-depth is the feedback you provide over email, and do you offer clarity on complex topics if needed?
Our email feedback is thorough, providing actionable insights and specific guidance on the documents shared. For complex topics, we can schedule a follow-up call to ensure clarity and address any in-depth questions.
Unplanned Support Requests
If unexpected issues arise, what’s the protocol for urgent meetings or support outside of our planned communication?
In case of unexpected issues, please reach out via email or phone with the nature of the situation. We’ll prioritize scheduling an urgent meeting if needed, usually within 1-2 business days.
Are there limits on the number of times I can reach out between our scheduled meetings without additional fees?
While we encourage reaching out as needed, the plan includes a reasonable limit on between-session inquiries. We aim to support you effectively without additional fees, but we ask that you prioritize key questions for each scheduled session to stay within the plan’s scope.
Long-Term Availability and Commitment
Will the same Exit Coach be available throughout the entire process, or is there a possibility of working with multiple coaches?
You will have a dedicated Exit Coach to maintain continuity and a deep understanding of your specific business needs throughout the entire exit process.
How will communication frequency change as the exit process progresses, particularly as we approach the final sale?
As we move closer to final sale stages, the frequency and intensity of communication typically increase. We’ll be available for more frequent updates and support, especially during negotiations and transition planning, to ensure a smooth process.