Exit to Excellence: Transforming Business Exits Amid Silver Tsunami

US Business News Staff

By: Joshua Finley

The entrepreneurial world is bracing for the “Silver Tsunami,” a surge of baby boomer entrepreneurs preparing to exit their businesses. For many, this transition is more than a financial transaction—it’s an emotional and strategic challenge.

Exit to Excellence, founded by Jerome Myers, America’s leading exit authority, is redefining how founders navigate this pivotal phase. Myers and his team address both the strategic and emotional aspects of exiting, equipping business owners with the clarity, confidence, and tools needed to turn their transition into an opportunity for lasting impact.

The Hidden Struggle: The Founder’s Exit Paradox

Selling a business is often seen as the ultimate entrepreneurial achievement. Yet, statistics reveal a troubling reality:

Only 20% of businesses listed for sale actually close deals.
75% of founders who sell experience regret within a year of exiting.

The Founder’s Exit Paradox, coined by Myers, describes the emotional struggles founders face during and after their exits—identity loss, uncertainty, and a lack of purpose. A business is more than an asset; it’s a reflection of a founder’s passion, identity, and community. Without preparation, letting go can lead to feelings of isolation and regret.

The Six Centers of Doubt that Plague Exit

At the heart of the Founder’s Exit Paradox lies an internal battle that often remains unspoken—what Myers calls the Six Centers of Doubt. These are the critical areas where founders question their value, decisions, and future as they navigate their exit. Each center represents a facet of their identity that is deeply intertwined with their business:

1. Self-Image: Struggles with identity beyond the CEO role.

2. Relationships: Shifts in personal and professional dynamics.

3. Work: Loss of mission and structure post-exit.

4. Health: Neglect of physical and mental well-being.

5. Prosperity: Fear of mismanaging wealth post-sale.

6. Significance: Challenges in finding a new sense of purpose.

When these doubts go unaddressed, they can compound the challenges of exiting, turning what should be a celebratory milestone into a period of uncertainty and regret.

Breaking the Cycle: A New Approach to Exiting

By recognizing and addressing these centers of doubt, founders can transform their exit into a gateway to personal evolution. This is where the 8 Exits of a Founder framework steps in, offering a roadmap to help entrepreneurs transcend the paradox, realign their purpose, and build a legacy that extends beyond their business.

The 8 Exits of a Founder Framework

Exit to Excellence offers the 8 Exits of a Founder, a framework that maps the entrepreneurial journey through eight phases:

Leaving Corporate America
CEO 1.0
Product Manager
CEO 2.0
Board Chair
Liquidity Event
Your N.E.X.T.
Journey to Legacy Building

This roadmap addresses financial, operational, and emotional transitions, ensuring founders evolve into their next chapter with purpose.

Introducing the N.E.X.T. Framework

Central to the process is the proprietary N.E.X.T. Framework, guiding founders to:

Nourish: Build a mindset for a successful transition.
Evaluate: Align personal goals with the state of the business.
Explore: Discover legacy opportunities.
Transcend: Embrace a purpose-driven life.

This holistic approach transforms exits into opportunities for personal and professional evolution.

The Growing Need for Holistic Exit Planning

The Silver Tsunami is reshaping the entrepreneurial market. With an unprecedented number of businesses for sale, founders must go beyond traditional financial planning to stand out in a competitive landscape. Yet, few resources address the human side of exits—the doubts, fears, and identity shifts that founders experience.

Myers’ work fills this critical gap. Through programs like the N.E.X.T. Intensive, and the N.E.O. Navigator, Exit to Excellence provides long-term, personalized guidance to help founders thrive during and after their exits.

“Most exit plans focus on the deal, but the real work begins after the paperwork is signed. That’s where founders experience their greatest uncertainty— questioning who they are and what they’ll do next,” explains Myers.

Legacy Building: Beyond Financial Success

What sets Exit to Excellence apart is its commitment to legacy-building. Traditional advisors often view exits as the final chapter of a founder’s journey. In contrast, Myers sees exits as a portal to a new life—one where financial success aligns with personal values and long-term impact.

By focusing on legacy, Exit to Excellence ensures that founders create lasting contributions that extend beyond their businesses. Whether it’s philanthropy, mentorship, or new ventures, Myers helps newly exited operators (N.E.O.s) craft a vision for their future that resonates with their deepest passions.

Why Founders Choose Exit to Excellence

Exiting a business is more than a transaction—it’s a transformation. Founders trust Exit to Excellence for its unique blend of expertise and empathy:

1. Leadership Rooted in Experience – Myers brings firsthand expertise, combining corporate success, entrepreneurial insight, and personal resilience to guide founders through their exits.

2. Research-Backed Frameworks – Grounded in positive psychology, our evidence-based approach addresses both strategic and emotional aspects of exits for lasting fulfillment.

3. Empathy Meets Science – We merge emotional intelligence with proven strategies to help founders overcome doubts, redefine purpose, and thrive post-exit.

4. Legacy-Led Solutions – Beyond financial success, we help founders align decisions with their values to create a meaningful, lasting impact.

5. A Roadmap for Personal Evolution – Exiting isn’t an end—it’s a beginning. Our frameworks ensure your transition leads to a purposeful and fulfilling next chapter.

“For many founders, selling their business feels like the ultimate achievement—but beneath the surface, they’re struggling. They feel isolated, uncertain, and even regretful. That’s the silent suffering of the Founder’s Exit Paradox,” says Myers.

Connect with Exit to Excellence

Through innovative frameworks and personalized guidance, Exit to Excellence ensures no founder faces the journey alone. Myers and his team empower entrepreneurs to embrace their next chapter with purpose and confidence.

Ready to turn your exit into an opportunity for transformation? Visit ExittoExcellence.com or connect with Jerome Myers on LinkedIn to learn how to build a legacy that extends beyond business success.