How to Build Your Deal Team for a Clean Exit
John Marsh
Exit Your Business on Your Terms Using Our Proprietary PowerExit™ Strategy | Founder | Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor
A clean exit starts with the right team.
Even the most successful founders need help navigating the complexity of a sale. But many owners wait too long, or rely on advisors who aren’t built for M&A.
In this week’s newsletter, we’ll cover:
3 Truths About Deal Teams That Win
1. Selling a business is not a solo sport: Even the most capable founders struggle to run the company and manage a sale at the same time. A strong deal team lightens the load, protects value, and helps you exit without regrets.
2. Specialists beat generalists in M&A: Your everyday CPA or attorney might be excellent at running the business, but exits require advisors who know how deals get done. Industry expertise and transaction experience are non-negotiable.
3. Misaligned incentives lead to mismanaged deals: When advisors are paid hourly or don’t share your definition of success, misalignment creeps in. A clean exit starts with a team who understands your goals and is structured to support them.
2 Frameworks to Build Your Deal Team
The Core 4 of a Deal-Ready Team
A clean exit starts with four key players:
The “Run vs. Sell” Support Map
This framework helps owners split their team into two lanes:
Run the Business – Ops lead, finance lead, sales Sell the Business – Advisors focused solely on the transaction
The more separation between these roles, the smoother your exit.
1 Action Item This Week
List your current advisory team and identify the gaps
Write out who’s currently advising you: attorney, CPA, banker, internal lead. Then ask: Who’s missing? What experience are we relying on that might not be deal-ready?
Managing Director, Senior Resident Director - Helping Business Owners between $5mm and $25mm EBITDA Maximize their Exit
2moA well versed Financial Advisor who understands the personal prep might be a helpful person to have on the team!?