David Reid is the Founder of Plan B Gurus, a consulting firm that helps business owners strengthen operations, build value, and prepare for successful exits. A seasoned CEO, board advisor, and the author of Getting to Exit, he spent decades scaling Epic Information Solutions from a small technology company to a 100-plus-person enterprise before guiding its strategic sale. David advises owners and leadership teams on exit planning, valuation, disciplined execution, scalable systems, leadership alignment, due diligence, and life after ownership.
Preparing for a successful exit begins long before a buyer enters the picture. It takes years of deliberate decisions about growth, operations, valuation, and the owner's life beyond the company. So how can business owners prepare early enough to leave on their own terms?
The answer is to plan backward from the desired outcome. Exit planning expert David Reid maintains that owners should define their financial goals, understand how buyers value the business, and identify the right type of acquirer well in advance. Strong systems, clean financials, and organized records can make due diligence smoother while improving negotiating leverage. David also stresses the importance of preparing personally for the loss of routine, identity, and relationships that may follow a sale. Intentional preparation helps owners build value while reducing the possibility of regret.
In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett talks with David Reid, Founder of Plan B Gurus and author of Getting to Exit, about building a business with the sale in mind. David explains how to identify the right buyer, prepare for due diligence, and negotiate terms that safeguard your financial interests after the sale. He also touches on life after ownership and the role of debt in shaping a stronger exit.
