Build value.
Exit on your terms. Leave a legacy.

We help business owners increase the value of their business and exit with confidence.

Increase Value

Build a more valuable business.

Exit Confidently

A Clear plan for a Dignified exit.

Maximise Return

Avoid leaving millions on the table

Plan Your Next Chapter

Life after business, designed by you.

A proven process. Better outcomes.

Our exit planning methodology is practical, proven and tailored to your business.

Did you know 70% of businesses that go to market never sell?

Most do not sell for a dramatic reason. They simply weren’t exit ready.

The financials were messy.

The operations depended entirely on the owner. The systems lived in his head. Buyers asked questions, didn’t get clean answers, and walked.

The multiple was theoretical.

Owners who can’t sell their business often discover the number they were promised isn’t the number they receive, even if the offer is real.

The part you’re never prepared for.

You’ve been the person who solves all the problems for thirty years. But when the music stops, you don’t know what should happen next.

I know what it
feels like to be
at this point.

You’ve poured your life into this. The early mornings, the late nights, the years when you paid everyone else before you paid yourself. The
thought of getting the exit wrong after all of that is genuinely frightening,
and the advice coming at you from accountants, brokers and well-meaning mates all points in different directions.

That’s a reasonable way to feel. It doesn’t have to stay that way.

I’m Scott Davison. I’ve been through this process many times, from both
sides of the table. I understand what buyers look for, what makes them pay more, what makes them walk, and what the last twelve months of an
owner’s working life actually feels like.

I will give you a clear read on where you stand and a practical plan to
improve it, with full transparency and no conflict of interest. I don’t take a
success fee on your sale, and I don’t take a cut from anyone I introduce you to. The best outcome for you is the only outcome I am paid to care about.

There's a better way to do this. It starts before the business goes to market.

A clear picture of what you have

A snapshot valuation showing exactly where your business stands today, based on what buyers actually pay, not a guess from mates at the gold club.

A step-by step plan to increase it

A practical value acceleration plan that fixes the specific gaps buyers care about, in the order that moves the number most.

Someone in the business doing the work with you

Not a report that sits in a drawer. A fractional resource inside your business whose only job is to get it ready for sale

Three steps. No surprises.

Have a straight conversation

A free, no-obligation call about your business, your timeline, and what you want life to look like afterwards. No pitch, no pressure, and no obligation to go further.

Get your snapshot valuation

You will see exactly where your business stands today and what it is realistically worth to a buyer, along with astep-by-step plan to accelerate that value.

Get the business ready, then take it to market.

We fix the gaps buyers care about, working together or with me doing the heavy lifting. When it is genuinely ready, I connect you with the right buyers at the right time.

Agreement plan :

Here is what I commit to. Straight answers, no jargon. Full transparency on what I am doing and why. No success fee on your sale and no commission from anyone I introduce you to. You keep control of every decision, all the way through.

If you are somewhere between "I should probably start thinking about this" and “I’ve left it too long"

Then you are ready to step back. Every advisor tells you something different – three times EBITDA, a soft market, sell now. But nobody tells you what to do on Monday morning.

The truth: the work that raises your price isn’t complicated, but it can usually take 12–24 months – and it has to happen before you go to market. Skip it, and you join the 70% of owners who never sell. They liquidate.

Let’s start with a conversation. If you’re further along than you think, I’ll tell you that too.

You have other options. Here is how this one is different.

Your accountant knows your numbers. I know your buyers.

A good accountant keeps the business compliant and healthy. Preparing a business for sale is a different discipline with a different audience, and it’s the one I do full time.

A broker gets paid when it sells. I do not.

Brokers earn a success fee, so a sale is the only outcome that pays them. I take no success fee and no referral commission, which means I can tell you honestly when the answer is wait, or restructure first, or do not sell to that buyer.

An M&A firm gives you an account manager. You get me.

No team you never meet, no partner who appears at the pitch and disappears afterwards. You work directly with me, and I work inside yourbusiness as a fractional resource until it’s ready.

Most advice ends at the report. This one ends at the exit.

You get the snapshot valuation, the plan, and then the actual work, done with you or for you,with the return on that investment tracked the whole way through.

What this looks like when it goes well.

You know the number, and it’s a real one.

No more guessing, no more rules of thumb. You know what your business is worth today and what it will be worth after the work is done.

You exit on your terms, not on a deadline.

Sold properly, to a buyer who values what you built, at a time you chose rather than a time forced on you by health, fatigue or a soft market.

You know what comes next.

A financially secure retirement, a legacy that stands up, and a clear sense of what you are going to do with the next chapter.

FAQ

How can I find out what my business is worth?

The best way to find out what your business is worth is to have an independent valuation. But most owners don’t know their number, because they’ve never had it formally assessed. There are two ways to find out.

Start with the free Value Gap Assessment. It takes 5 to 10 minutes and gives you an indicative estimate of what your business is worth today, and what it could be worth. The gap between the two is the value you could unlock with the right preparation.

For a more formal valuation, book a discovery call. From there, I can prepare a Business Insights Report. It’s a 60+ page independent business valuation that looks at your business from a buyer’s point of view. It draws on more than 300 data points and includes:

an independent valuation of your business
financial and non-financial analysis, including operations and ESG
industry benchmarking against similar businesses
the risks a buyer would see
‘value gap’ and ‘profit gap’ assessment
practical recommendations to increase value
a strategy workshop to work through the results together

Most reports are completed within about two weeks, once your information has been provided.

How is a business valued?

There’s a typical formula for the financial valuation of a business:

Business value = Earnings x Multiple

Earnings is your profit. For mid-market businesses, it’s usually measured as EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation). Smaller businesses often use SDE (seller’s discretionary earnings).

The multiple reflects risk and opportunity for growth. A business with low risk and strong growth potential attracts a higher multiple. The range of multiples varies from industry to industry and moves with market conditions.

So assuming you’ll get the same multiple as the business down the road, or a mate at the golf club, is unrealistic. Two businesses of the same size, in the same industry, can sell for very different amounts. One looks safe to a buyer. The other looks fragile.

Ultimately, your business is worth what a buyer is willing to pay for it. A strategic buyer will often pay a much higher multiple, because your business is worth more to them.

But knowing your financial valuation still matters. It gives you a number to track, so you can see the value of your business grow as you make improvements.

What is exit planning?

Exit planning is getting your business, your finances and yourself ready for the day you step away. It’s a holistic approach that looks at all three legs of the stool.

Business readiness. Your business is attractive to buyers and can run without you.
Financial readiness. The sale gives you what you need for the next chapter.
Personal readiness. You know what you want life to look like once you step away.

All three matter. A strong sale price doesn’t mean much if you’re not ready to let go, or if the numbers don’t fund the life you want.

What's the difference between succession planning and exit planning?

The terms are often used interchangeably. Succession planning usually focuses on who will take over the business, often a family member or the management team. Exit planning is broader. It covers succession, but also getting the business ready, maximising its value, and preparing yourself financially and personally for life after the business.

Whether you’re passing the business to the next generation or selling to an outside buyer, the groundwork is the same. The business needs to run without you, and it needs to be worth what you need it to be worth.

At Exit Ready Business, I help owners with both.

When should I start exit planning?

Ideally three to five years before you want to sell, and at least 12 to 18 months out. The earlier you start, the more options you have.

Some of the changes that make a business exit ready take time. Building a leadership team that can run things without you. Putting proper processes in place. Having a few years of clean financials also helps.

Starting early also protects you if things don’t go to plan. According to the Exit Planning Institute, about half of all business exits are unplanned. They’re triggered by events like ill health, divorce, a partner dispute or financial distress. Sometimes an unsolicited offer arrives out of the blue. An exit ready business means you can exit on your terms: at the right time, to the right buyer, for the best price possible.

Many owners put this off because it doesn’t feel urgent. The risk is that by the time it does, it’s too late to make the changes that matter.

So begin with the end in mind, even if you’re not planning to sell yet.

What are my options for exiting my business?

There are several ways to exit a business. The main options are:

Sell to an outside buyer. A competitor, supplier, customer or investor. This often achieves the highest price, particularly with a strategic buyer.
Pass it to family. Handing the business to the next generation, as a sale, a gift or a mix of both.
Sell to your management team or staff. A management buyout or employee ownership plan, often paid for over time.
Wind it down. Close the business and sell the assets. This is usually the least valuable option.

The right choice depends on your goals: the price you need, your timeline, and what matters to you beyond the money, like your staff and your legacy. An exit ready business keeps more of these options open.

What makes a business attractive to buyers?

Buyers pay more for a business that looks safe and has potential to grow. In practice, that comes down to seven things you can directly influence:

Strong financials. Clean, reliable books, quality recurring revenue and healthy cash flow.
Owner independence. The business runs without you. Outside of the financials, this is the biggest factor in value.
Low concentration. No single customer or supplier makes up too much of the business. A good rule of thumb is no more than 20% of revenue from one customer.
Documented systems and processes. Know-how lives in the business, not in people’s heads.
Intangible assets. Your brand, reputation, customer relationships and intellectual property.
A reliable sales engine. A repeatable way of winning new business that doesn’t rely on you.
A strong niche. A dominant position in a specific market, ideally one where a strategic buyer is relatively weak.

Each one reduces risk in a buyer’s eyes, which lifts the multiple they’ll pay. I cover all seven in more detail in 7 Ways to Increase the Value of Your Business Before You Sell.

Why do so many businesses fail to sell?

According to the Exit Planning Institute, around 70% of businesses that go to market never sell.

Many of them are good businesses. They’re profitable, with loyal customers and a solid reputation. But they aren’t exit ready, so a buyer sees them as too risky. And a business that looks risky isn’t attractive to buyers, however good it is.

Sales can also fall over late in the process, during due diligence. That’s when a buyer looks closely at everything. If the owner isn’t properly prepared, or undeclared risks come to light, the deal can collapse or the price can drop sharply.

When a sale falls through, some owners end up closing the doors with very little to show for decades of work. Most of these risks can be fixed with enough time and the right plan. That’s what exit planning is for.

I want to go to market in the next 12 months. Is it too late?

No. Even with a shorter window, a lot can be achieved.

We’d start with the low-hanging fruit, which is usually about reducing risk in the business. The Business Insights Report is the best place to begin. It gives you a valuation, and it asks many of the same questions a buyer will ask during due diligence. So it’s a practical way to get match fit before you go to market.

It’s also worth planning for the sale itself. From launch to settlement, the sales process typically takes another six to twelve months, depending on the size and complexity of the business and market conditions. But being properly prepared can help to shorten this process.

Who does Exit Ready Business work with?

Exit Ready Business works with owners of established, traditional businesses. Think manufacturing, construction, product-based businesses, and trade and home services. Many are family-run, and some have been in the family for generations.

The sweet spot is a turnover of $3 million to $50 million. That’s where I can add the most value. If you’re above or below that range, I’m still happy to talk.

I work directly with owners to understand their exit options and choose the right path. It’s not always about the highest price. For many owners, finding a buyer who will look after their staff, protect their legacy and keep supporting the local community matters just as much.

I’m based in Melbourne and work with business owners across Victoria and Australia-wide.

I aim to deliver at least a 10x return on investment. That means the value added to your business is at least ten times what you invest in the process. That’s why I only work with a small number of clients at a time, and why the discovery call matters. It’s where we work out if we’re a good fit. If we’re not, I’ll tell you and point you in the right direction.

How does the exit planning process work?

At Exit Ready Business, it’s a straightforward three-step process.

Discovery call. A free 45-minute chat with me about your business, your goals and your timeline. We’ll work out if we’re a good fit. If we’re not, I’ll point you in the right direction.
Business Insights Report. An independent valuation and in-depth assessment of your business, with a detailed roadmap to close the value gap. It gives you complete visibility of where your business stands, and the information you need to decide whether to exit now or spend some time adding value first. This has a one-off upfront fee. Some owners stop here, with a valuation and a clear plan in hand. Others want help putting the plan into action.
Value Acceleration Program. This is where we make the changes. We work through your roadmap in focused 90-day sprints. At the end of each sprint, you can see the updated value of your business, and decide whether to exit or keep building value. This is billed as an ongoing monthly fee for the length of the program (typically 12-18 months).

Fees depend on the size and complexity of your business. We’ll talk it through on the discovery call.

The key difference is that I don’t just tell you what to do. As a former COO, I help you actually do it, working alongside you and your team.

How is an exit planning advisor different from my other advisors?

An exit planning advisor is a specialist. The role is focused on getting your business exit ready and making sure you achieve a successful exit, based on your objectives.

Your accountant, financial advisor and lawyer each look after one part of the picture. An M&A advisor or business broker takes the business to market and finds a buyer. An exit planning advisor manages the overall process and makes sure everyone is working towards the same goal.

Having the right team of professional advisors is key to a successful exit. I work in partnership with your accountant, financial advisor and legal team, and with an M&A advisor or broker when it’s time to take the business to market. I’m happy to work with your existing advisors, or I can introduce you to the right people if you don’t already have them.

What is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA)?

A Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) is an advisor trained and certified by the Exit Planning Institute to help business owners plan and prepare for their exit.

CEPAs are trained in the Value Acceleration Methodology™. It looks at the whole picture: your business, your finances and your personal goals. That matters, because a good exit depends on all three lining up.

It’s not a one-off qualification. CEPAs renew their certification every three years through ongoing professional education.

Exit planning is well established in the United States, and more than 8,000 advisors have earned the CEPA designation worldwide. In Australia it’s still a relatively new field. There are only around 20 CEPAs listed in the CEPA directory.

Scott Davison, founder of Exit Ready Business, is a Melbourne-based CEPA. He combines the CEPA methodology with hands-on experience as a former COO who has led multiple business exits.

What happens on the discovery call?

The discovery call is a free, no-obligation 45-minute chat with me, online or in person. Everything you share is 100% confidential.

It’s a chance to talk about your business, what you want from an exit, and your timeline. I’ll ask how the business runs today and where you’d like to get to. You can ask me anything about the process.

You’ll also get some initial feedback on your business, with a few key points to consider from a buyer’s perspective.

By the end, we’ll both know whether we’re a good fit to work together. If we are, I’ll explain the next steps. If not, no problem. I’ll point you in the right direction.

There’s no need to prepare anything. Just come as you are.

Will my staff, customers or competitors find out I'm exploring a sale?

Not unless you want them to. Confidentiality is central to how I work.

The initial discovery call is 100% confidential. If you choose to work with me, everything stays confidential from there too. I’m used to working discreetly with owners, and much of the work, like building your leadership team or improving your systems, simply looks like good business improvement from the outside.

When the time is right, I can advise you on when and how to bring key members of your team into the conversation.

Start with a conversation.

30 minutes, no cost, no obligation. We’ll talk about your business, your timeline, and
what you want the next chapter to look like. You will leave with a clearer view of where you
stand, whether or not we work together.