For most entrepreneurs, the mere mention of “exit planning” triggers an uncomfortable conversation about mortality, failure, or surrender. The concept conjures images of defeat—a reluctant acknowledgment that the business they’ve poured their heart into will one day exist without them.
Yet Kelly Grandmaison, co-founder of Impact Ventures International (IVI) and recently named to the Los Angeles Business Journal’s 2025 Women of Influence in Finance, sees exit planning through an entirely different lens: as the ultimate growth strategy.
“Most business owners don’t realize that 80% of companies fail to sell—not because they aren’t profitable, but because they aren’t properly prepared,” Grandmaison explains.
“What if you could position your business for maximum growth, a high-value exit, and financial freedom—on your terms? That’s exactly what our team and I help entrepreneurs do. Scaling isn’t just about today—it’s about securing your future.”
The Hidden Crisis In Business Succession
According to studies, only 20-30% of businesses that enter the market actually sell successfully. The remainder either close their doors or accept far less than their potential worth, leaving owners without the financial security they spent decades building.
“There’s a myth that if you build a profitable business, buyers will line up at your door,” Grandmaison notes. “But buyers are looking for more than just numbers—they want systems, documentation, and a business that can run without you.”
This gap between perception and reality has become more pronounced in today’s volatile economic climate, where changing regulations and tighter lending standards mean buyers are increasingly selective.
The urgency extends beyond market timing. Record numbers of baby boomers are retiring, flooding the market with businesses for sale. For unprepared business owners, this represents not an opportunity but fierce competition from better-positioned competitors.
Grandmaison’s approach through IVI’s Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) services addresses this crisis head-on.
“We help businesses plan for a successful exit long before they’re ready to sell,” she mentions. “With 80% of businesses failing to sell, we guide owners through the financial, business, and personal aspects of an exit to make sure they achieve their desired valuation and legacy goals.”
A New Approach To Value Creation
Traditional business consulting focuses on immediate problems—operational inefficiencies, marketing challenges, or financial shortfalls. IVI’s CEPA certification places it among an elite group of only 2,000 certified offices worldwide, providing access to proven methodologies and a network of specialized professionals.
This credential represents technical expertise and signals a comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay between business strategy, personal financial planning, and market dynamics.
IVI’s methodology is anchored in what Grandmaison calls the value acceleration methodology. This takes a fundamentally different approach by building long-term value from day one.
The process includes three strategic stages: discover, prepare, and decide. Grandmaison explains. “We assess the owner’s goals, financial needs, and business value, then develop a strategic plan to enhance business value and mitigate risks. Finally, we determine the best exit option and execute a transition strategy.”
The firm’s flagship VentureMax360 program highlights this strategy. Designed for businesses planning to exit within 12-18 months, the program has consistently delivered results, helping clients double or triple their valuations within 24 months.
“Our goal is to help owners increase their business value by up to 10 times, and to position them for the highest industry multiple when they’re ready to sell,” Grandmaison mentions.
This target reflects her belief that most businesses operate far below their potential value, not due to market conditions but because of structural deficiencies that systematic planning can address.
This is why, for Grandmaison, the key is understanding the owner’s goals, the business’s unique strengths, and the market forces at play. Every plan is customized because every owner’s story is different.
A Different Founder Perspective
Grandmaison’s vision for business exit planning reflects broader changes in how successful entrepreneurs think about business ownership. Rather than viewing their company as a personal extension requiring constant presence, forward-thinking owners are building what she calls “transferable value.” This concept centers on creating businesses that can operate and thrive independently, freeing owners from the need to be involved in every detail.
Through Impact Ventures International’s flagship offerings, including VentureMax360 and IVSS CRM & Digital Office, Grandmaison leverages technology to foster operational independence and sustainable value.
Her solutions are designed to streamline operations, integrate advanced digital infrastructure, and automate key growth processes. By enhancing workflow efficiency, improving client engagement, and supporting seamless team collaboration, these tools empower businesses to function autonomously.
Grandmaison emphasizes that these operational enhancements do more than improve day-to-day performance. They strategically position companies for a successful exit by ensuring teams can operate independently and the organization can maintain its momentum without the founder’s daily involvement.
For entrepreneurs who adopt this forward-thinking mindset, exit planning becomes less about stepping away and more about guaranteeing their legacy continues to thrive.
She mentions, “It was in the owner’s confidence that the business would thrive without them. That’s what real exit planning delivers. This is the ultimate expression of entrepreneurial responsibility.”
Shaping Leaders Who Are Exit Ready
Grandmaison acknowledges that exit planning is not a pleasant experience. It requires confronting uncomfortable realities and often hidden operational problems. Yet for her, it is worth all the hardship.
She mentions, “You can spend a lifetime building something great or improving your products. But if you don’t plan for your exit, you risk losing everything you’ve worked for. Exit planning is the greatest investment you can make—not just for yourself, but for everyone who depends on your business.”
Grandmaison looks forward to normalizing the conversation about business exit planning. She sees the discussion shifting from reluctant necessity to strategic advantage, with leaders demonstrating that the most successful exits aren’t escapes from responsibility but the result of thoughtful preparation.