Exit on purpose, not under pressure

How I Can Help You

I’m Emily Potts – exited founder turned exit coach and business advisor.

I’ve built, led and sold a business myself. I know what it takes to get a company into shape for sale, live through the messy middle of transition and earn-out, and then step into whatever comes next with your integrity intact.

When exit comes into view, most founders don’t need more generic advice. They need someone who can:

• look at their business with a cool, commercial eye
• help them understand their best exit routes
• and walk with them as they prepare the business – and themselves – for that change.

That’s where I come in. I work alongside you to:

• Clarify what you really want from exit – financially, personally and for your team
• Understand your options – trade sale, MBO, management succession, partial exit and more
• Strengthen the business – reduce dependency on you, tighten leadership and structure, and focus on what really drives value
• Support you through transition – the identity shift, the shifting role, and the relationships that matter

Brokers focus on valuation. Lawyers focus on contracts. Accountants focus on tax.

I focus on making sure your business – and you – are genuinely ready.

---

The Exit Compass Framework

Exiting well isn’t a single decision – it’s a process, a journey.

The Exit Compass Framework gives structure to that journey so you’re not reacting under pressure but moving deliberately, with clear direction, and focusing on what matters most.

Prepare

Before you talk to buyers, you need clarity. We define what “a good exit” looks like for you and other important stakeholders, assess where the business stands today – financially and operationally, explore your realistic exit options, and identify what needs to change to create real choice and increase your business value.

Transition

Once a path is chosen, we shape the business to support it: reducing founder dependency, strengthening leadership and operations, and getting you ready to step back. This is also where we navigate the practicalities of handover, earn-outs and changing roles.

Evolve

Exit doesn’t mean you’re finished – it means you’re free to do something new. We work on the identity and purpose side of leaving: how you want to use your time, energy and experience next, and how to close this chapter well.

---

Is this you?

I work with founders and owner-managers of SMEs who:

• Don’t want to run their business forever
• Want to maximise the financial reward for what they’ve built
• Care about what happens to their team, customers and reputation
• Know the business is still too dependent on them personally
• Are 12–36 months away from a possible exit – or simply want to be ready to make the most of opportinities

You don’t need to have made a final decision about exit.

You do need to be willing to look at your options seriously.

---

Why work with me?

• I’ve been where you are – I’ve built, grown and sold a business, and lived the reality behind the headlines.
• I combine commercial thinking and leadership and business coaching, so we work on the numbers and the people.
• I’m independent – I don’t sell financial products or take a cut of the deal. My only agenda is helping you exit well.
• I can act as a hub alongside your other advisers – helping you bring in the right specialists (IFAs, accountants, tax advisers, lawyers, brokers) at the right time and making sure everyone is working to the same brief.
• I’m an EMCC Senior Practitioner-level coach and ILM Level 7 qualified, bringing professional rigour as well as lived experience.

Clients value my ability to ask the difficult questions, stay calm when emotions are running high, and keep decisions grounded in what actually matters to you.

---

Start with an Exit Readiness Conversation

A focused, no-pressure conversation where we’ll:

• Explore what a good exit could look like for you
• Take a clear look at where your business is today
• Discuss where preparation could make the biggest difference – commercially and personally
• Decide whether working together would be a good fit

👉 Book a call today to take your first step towards a calm, confident exit.

Exit may be a few years away. The preparation starts sooner.