78% of business owners plan to fund their retirement by selling their company — yet only about 20% actually succeed. Why? Because most founders think exit planning is something you do at the end, not something you build into the business every day. In this episode, we break that myth wide open. Instead of theory or generic advice, we walk through 10 concrete, actionable items you can start addressing right now to immediately raise or protect the value of your business. These aren’t just “exit strategies” — they’re fundamental drivers of operational strength, risk reduction, profitability, and buyer confidence. We cover: • Why exit planning is really business planning done right • How continuity, risk management, and documentation increase valuation • The operational, financial, and leadership gaps buyers punish most • How to build a business that runs without you • Why these actions improve performance even if you never sell Whether your exit is 1 year away or 10 years out, these steps make your company healthier, more resilient, and dramatically more sellable. If you want control, options, and leverage — this episode is your starting point. 👉 Subscribe to the ExitEngine™ Podcast for practical strategies on building value, reducing risk, and exiting on your own terms. 👉 Explore The ExitEngine™ Ecosystem: 👉 Get your Total Exit Value Score™ 👉 Learn the 10 drivers of saleability 👉 Find vetted M&A advisors and other Advisory Partners 👉 Join a community of owners preparing for strategic exits Visit MyExitEngine.com to learn more.