The Complete Exit Planning Process for Founders
PRE-EXIT STRATEGY, TRANSACTION SUPPORT,
AND POST-EXIT WEALTH MANAGEMENT
We guide entrepreneurs through the full spectrum of a exit planning, from the earliest pre-sale strategies through closing and long-term post-liquidity wealth management.
- 7–10 founder exitsguided each year
- $60M–$550Mtransaction range
- $25M+ in business orpersonal liquidity
- Independent, fiduciaryand fee-only
The Complete Exit Planning Process for Founders
PRE-EXIT STRATEGY, TRANSACTION SUPPORT,
AND POST-EXIT WEALTH MANAGEMENT
We help guide entrepreneurs through the full spectrum of exit planning. From the earliest pre-sale strategies, through closing and long-term post-liquidity wealth management.
Navigating an exit can feel daunting. Whether it’s a full exit or a minority recap, creating liquidity from your most prized asset, your business, is complex. You need a Family Office that is built to simplify the complexities and help guide you to a successful exit.
- 7–10 founder exitsguided each year
- $60M–$550Mtransaction range
- $25M+ in business orpersonal liquidity
- Independent, fiduciaryand fee-only
The Complete Exit Planning Process for Founders
PRE-EXIT STRATEGY, TRANSACTION SUPPORT,
AND POST-EXIT WEALTH MANAGEMENT
We help guide entrepreneurs through the full spectrum of exit planning. From the earliest pre-sale strategies, through closing and long-term post-liquidity wealth management.
Navigating an exit can feel daunting. Whether it’s a full exit or a minority recap, creating liquidity from your most prized asset, your business, is complex. You need a Family Office that is built to simplify the complexities and help guide you to a successful exit.
- 7–10 founder exitsguided each year
- $60M–$550Mtransaction range
- $25M+ in business orpersonal liquidity
- Independent, fiduciaryand fee-only
Our Proprietary Exit Planning Process
Pre-Transaction, Transaction Coordination, and Post-Liquidity Wealth Architecture
Our Exit Planning process is organized into three phases, each with its own priorities, timelines, and decision windows. Unlike transaction advisors who focus exclusively on the deal, our team coordinates the entire process as your fiduciary family office.
(12–36 months before the sale)
Pre-Transaction
Strategic Planning
Trust and entity structuring, charitable giving strategies, deal structure optimization, and your written Pre-Exit Strategy Memo — all executed before buyers are at the table.
(LOI to close)
Transaction
Coordination
Trust and entity structuring, charitable giving strategies, deal structure optimization, and your written Pre-Exit Strategy Memo — all executed before buyers are at the table.
(close + 180 days and beyon)
Post-Liquidity
Wealth Architecture
Trust and entity structuring, charitable giving strategies, deal structure optimization, and your written Pre-Exit Strategy Memo — all executed before buyers are at the table.
Our Proprietary Exit Planning Process
Pre-Transaction, Transaction Coordination, and Post-Liquidity Wealth Architecture
Our Exit Planning process is organized into three phases, each with its own priorities, timelines, and decision windows. Unlike transaction advisors who focus exclusively on the deal, our team coordinates the entire process as your fiduciary family office.
(12–36 months before the sale)
Pre-Transaction
Strategic Planning
Trust and entity structuring, charitable giving strategies, deal structure optimization, and your written Pre-Exit Strategy Memo — all executed before buyers are at the table.
(LOI to close)
Transaction
Coordination
Modeling after-tax proceeds, reviewing deal terms, coordinating with your M&A advisor and legal team in real time, and preparing the capital deployment framework before closing.
(Close + 180 days and beyond)
Post-Liquidity
Wealth Architecture
Implementing your personalized Financial Life Inspection®, goals-based investment strategy, finalizing estate and trust structures, building your family governance framework, all in one coordinated plan.
Wherever you fall in the timeline of an exit, our process can adapt to meet your goals and timeline in transacting your business.
Five Reasons Founders Choose Pacific Capital
1. We are built exclusively for entrepreneurs.
Every client we work with is a business owner or founder. We do not serve retirees, inheritors, or high-income professionals. Every tool, every strategy, and every conversation was designed for entrepreneurs who are navigating the complexities of business ownership.
2. We have done this before.
We have guided founders across many exits for billions of dollars of Enterprise value. This is not theoretical knowledge. We are in active deal rooms, preparing Pre-Exit Strategy Memos, and coordinating with M&A advisors in real time.
Five Reasons Founders Choose Pacific Capital
1. We are built exclusively for entrepreneurs.
Every client we work with is a business owner or founder. We do not serve retirees, inheritors, or high-income professionals. Every tool, every strategy, and every conversation was designed for entrepreneurs who are navigating the complexities of business ownership.
2. We have done this before.
We have guided founders across many exits for billions of dollars of Enterprise value. This is not theoretical knowledge. We are in active deal rooms, preparing Pre-Exit Strategy Memos, and coordinating with M&A advisors in real time.
3. Our size is a feature, not a limitation.
We serve fewer than 50 families by design. Every client has direct access to our entire team who knows their entire financial picture, no handoffs, no junior associates, no account managers who have never been in a deal room.
4. We have no conflicts of interest.
We are a fee-only and fiduciary. We do not earn commissions on investments, referral fees, or investment product compensation of any kind. Every recommendation we make is legally required to be in your best interest, not ours.
3. Our size is a feature, not a limitation.
We serve fewer than 50 families by design. Every client has direct access to our entire team who knows their entire financial picture, no handoffs, no junior associates, no account managers who have never been in a deal room.
4. We have no conflicts of interest.
We are a fee-only and fiduciary. We do not earn commissions on investments, referral fees, or investment product compensation of any kind. Every recommendation we make is legally required to be in your best interest, not ours.
5. Our team holds the credentials that matter.
We are CFP® professionals who hold the CEPA® (Certified Exit Planning Advisor) designation, one of the most rigorous exit-specific credentials in financial advisory. We also have in-house investment expertise and team members who hold the CFA and CAIA designations.
5. Our team holds the credentials that matter.
We are CFP® professionals who hold the CEPA® (Certified Exit Planning Advisor) designation, one of the most rigorous exit-specific credentials in financial advisory. We also have in-house investment expertise and team members who hold the CFA and CAIA designations.
Josh Coniglio, CFP®, CEPA®,CF2®
Managing Wealth Advisor
Morgan Fippinger CFA, CAIA, CFP®, CF2®
Director of Investment Strategy
5. Our team holds the credentials that matter.
Our team includes CFP® professionals and CEPA® (Certified Exit Planning Advisor) designees, one of the most rigorous credentials focused specifically on exit planning. We also maintain in-house investment expertise through professionals who hold CFA and CAIA designations, providing integrated guidance across transaction planning, investment strategy, estate planning, and long-term wealth architecture.
Josh Coniglio, CFP®, CEPA®,CF2®
Managing Wealth Advisor
Morgan Fippinger CFA, CAIA, CFP®, CF2®
Director of Investment Strategy
Who This Is For And When to Start the Conversation
We do not work with everyone. Our practice is intentionally small, and we are selective about who we take on. If you fit this profile, schedule your Goals Conversation® to get the process started.is the right first step.
Founders and business owners planning a sale or recap event in the next 1 to 5 years who want to maximize after-tax proceeds before the pre-exit window closes.
Entrepreneurs actively in a transaction who need a financial quarterback coordinating the deal alongside their M&A advisor and attorney
Founders who have recently closed a deal, have newfound liquidity, and need a Family Office to help with comprehensive post-liquidity wealth architecture and investment management.
High-net-worth entrepreneurs with $25M or more in personal liquidity who need a Family Office to help manage their financial life.
FAQ From Founders Planning an Exit
Ideally 12 to 36 months before your intended sale. Pre-close is where the most valuable tax and trust strategies can be implemented — many expire the moment an LOI is signed. We also work with founders mid-transaction and post-close, but the earlier we engage, the more we can do.
A written planning document Pacific Capital prepares for clients approaching an exit. It maps your exit scenarios, after-tax proceeds across multiple deal structures, tax optimization strategies with estimated dollar impact, and a prioritized action timeline organized by pre-LOI, LOI to close, and post-close phases.
No. We coordinate alongside your existing team. Pacific Capital’s role is financial quarterback: ensuring every decision across your M&A advisor, attorney, and CPA is financially optimized and aligned with your long-term wealth strategy.
Pacific Capital’s proprietary 100-point review of your complete financial picture — covering cash flow, tax strategy, investments, estate plans, insurance, real estate, charitable planning, business structure, family governance, and debt management. We conduct this post-close as part of Phase 3 to build the complete wealth architecture for your new financial reality.
We are fee-only and fiduciary. No commissions, no products, no conflicts of interest. Our fees are transparent and disclosed upfront. The Goals Conversation® is where we start.
Who This Is For And When to Start the Conversation
Founders and business owners planning a sale in the next 1 to 5 years who want to maximize after-tax proceeds before the pre-exit window closes
Founders who have recently closed a deal and need a comprehensive post-liquidity wealth architecture built quickly and correctly
Entrepreneurs actively in a transaction who need a financial quarterback coordinating the deal alongside their M&A advisor and attorney
High-net-worth entrepreneurs with $25M or more in business or personal liquidity