Finding exit planning advisory services that deliver both hands-on implementation and unbiased documented plans for mid market business owners is difficult. Most advisory firms require consultations for pricing and hold back service details, leaving owners with little visibility into fees or process depth before committing. This comparison covers advisory approach, implementation style, and client fit so business owners can select an exit planning service that matches their company size and complexity.
Table of Contents
Premier 72
At a Glance
The firm reports access to 20+ leading carriers, which widens options for custom life and annuity structures. Premier72 combines business advisory work with insurance planning to protect income, preserve wealth, and fund continuity needs. The Retirement Bank Method™ appears as a focused approach for turning owner dependent companies into transferable retirement assets.
Core Features
Independent access to multiple carriers lets advisors match policy design to a client's tax and legacy goals while avoiding single carrier bias. The practice uses structured reviews across six planning pillars such as Family Protection, Business Continuity, and Legacy Creation to map gaps and document recommendations. Clients receive written strategic plans, ongoing stewardship, educational tools, and traditional services like risk assessment and policy review.
Key Differentiator
A formal, education first advisory review methodology is the central differentiator. That structured process pairs carrier choice with written plans and client education so decisions reflect documented goals. The combined advisory and insurance focus supports both personal legacy planning and owner level business continuity.
Pros
Emphasis on client education helps owners understand policy mechanics and trade offs before they commit to coverage, which reduces surprises during execution. Broad carrier access increases design flexibility and the chance to match pricing and features to complex needs. The firm ties insurance into broader exit and succession work for business owners, so policies align with buy sell, key person, and estate plans.
Cons
- Specific pricing and fee schedules are not publicly disclosed, so you will need a consultation to learn typical advisory costs.
Who It's For
Families, pre retirees, and business owners who want advisor led insurance planning and written plans will find this approach useful. Business owners generating between $500K and $10M in revenue fit the stated use case for buy sell and key person planning. Owners planning an eventual sale or succession will value the coordinated review with attorneys and CPAs.
Unique Value Proposition
The Retirement Bank Method™ focuses on converting owner dependent businesses into transferable assets by improving systems, leadership, cash flow, and documentation. That focus changes the economic outcome. Policies and planning are selected and structured expressly to support transferability and future sale or retirement funding.
Real World Use Case
A business owner implemented a buy sell and key person coverage plan tied to SBA compliance and long term continuity goals. Advisors ran a gap analysis, proposed carrier options, and drafted a written strategic plan for funding and execution. The engagement required collaboration with the owner's attorney and CPA to align contracts and tax treatment.
Pricing
Pricing is not listed publicly and is described as informational only. Services are advisory and typically involve professional fees for plan design and ongoing stewardship. Expect to request a consultation to receive a tailored fee estimate.
Website: https://premier72.com
Legacy Partners LLC
At a Glance
Legacy Partners centers its work on the trademarked Master Exit Planning® process for owners of mid market private companies. The firm combines valuation, exit strategy, tax and estate review, and M&A advice in a structured, process driven program. That approach aims to help owners maximize value, protect wealth, and preserve family legacy.
Core Features
The firm runs a step by step Master Exit Planning® system that begins with a business valuation and ends with post ownership planning. Services include business optimization, exit strategy formulation and execution, tax and estate review, and mergers and acquisitions advisory. The team ties these services together with documented plans and execution support for owner transition events.
Key Differentiator
Legacy Partners emphasizes a process driven Master Exit Planning® workflow executed by advisors who have actual business ownership backgrounds. That mix of planning discipline and operator experience guides pragmatic decisions about timing, deal structure, and succession. The firm positions itself to reduce owner dependence and preserve long term family outcomes.
Pros
The advisory team brings hands on ownership experience paired with technical skills in valuation, M&A, and legal review. Their planning process is unbiased and documented, which helps boards and owners see clear milestones and responsibilities. The firm focuses on mid market complexity, so it covers operational value drivers, tax and estate mechanics, and post sale lifestyle and governance issues.
Cons
- Costs may be significant for smaller owners under $1 million EBITDA. The planning process can be too elaborate and expensive for simpler businesses.
- The practice is primarily tailored to US owners. International clients may find parts of the advice less applicable.
- Owners with very small or early stage businesses may not benefit from the full depth of services. The model assumes a sizable, somewhat complex company.
When It May Not Fit
If your business generates well under $1 million EBITDA, this advisory approach may not match your budget or needs. If you run a single proprietor business with simple ownership, the process may add paperwork without value. If your priority is a quick, low cost exit plan, Legacy Partners may not be the right fit.
Who It's For
The ideal client is a mid market, privately held business owner in the US aged forty to sixty who plans to exit or transfer control within ten years. These owners typically want to raise enterprise value before sale and want help aligning tax and estate plans with personal retirement goals. Owners who prefer hands on advisor teams and written execution plans will find this profile a match.
Real World Use Case
A manufacturing owner in Boston hires Legacy Partners to create a Master Exit Plan that raises sale readiness and clarifies family governance. The team performs a valuation, implements operational improvements, and prepares legal and tax work for a future sale. The owner gains a timeline and clear steps to reach retirement income and legacy objectives.
Pricing
Pricing is not publicly listed. The product data marks pricing as not applicable and informational only. Prospective clients must contact Legacy Partners for fee structure and engagement terms.
Website: https://legacypartnersllp.com
Exit-Ready Solutions
At a Glance
Exit-Ready Solutions coordinates implementation work with sister company Oxford Highland Advisors to align operational fixes and transaction planning. The firm focuses on lower middle market owners who need documented processes, clearer KPIs, and automation before a sale. Their model pairs an assessment with hands-on implementation and continued retainer support.
Core Features
The practice begins with an Exit Readiness Assessment and Diagnostic that identifies gaps in controls, documentation, and systems. Consultants then implement processes and controls, configure CRM and workflow automation, and build KPI and operating cadence programs. Ongoing optimization retainer services keep improvements active and ready for transition coordination.
Key Differentiator
The single differentiator is the practical, hands on execution approach that moves beyond a report. Exit-Ready Solutions does the implementation tasks owners often defer, such as documenting processes and wiring CRM workflows. That alignment with Oxford Highland Advisors also ties implementation to transaction readiness rather than leaving transition planning separate.
Pros
The team delivers concrete operational upgrades. They close the gap between a readiness diagnosis and actual change by installing systems, defining KPIs, and running operating cadences. Specializing in lower middle market firms gives them relevant playbooks for owner dependent companies and the transaction realities those owners face.
Cons
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Pricing and fee structure are not published. Prospective clients should expect custom proposals.
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The focus on lower middle market work may not match needs at larger enterprises or early stage startups.
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Services look consulting and implementation heavy. There is no mention of self service software clients can license.
When It May Not Fit
If you run a corporate subsidiary or an enterprise with complex shared services, this firm may lack the scale and scope you need. If you want fixed, menu style pricing and immediate online quoting, this model will likely feel opaque. If your priority is a do it yourself tool rather than retained consultants, look elsewhere.
Who It's For
Lower middle market business owners preparing for sale or transfer who need someone to execute the changes they cannot complete internally. Owners facing a six to eighteen month exit window will find the combination of assessment, implementation, and retainer support most relevant. Business owners without internal operations staff will benefit most.
Real World Use Case
A family owned manufacturer hires Exit-Ready Solutions to tidy financial reporting, document shop floor workflows, automate lead follow up in their CRM, and set weekly KPI reviews. The consultants set operating cadence meetings and hand over clear dashboards. The buyer saw cleaner records and repeatable processes during due diligence.
Pricing
Pricing is customized and not publicly listed. The firm offers project implementation fees and ongoing optimization retainers rather than fixed tiered plans. Prospective clients receive tailored proposals after an initial diagnostic.
Website: https://exitreadysolutions.biz
Comparison of alternatives
When comparing options for exit and succession planning, considerations between education-centric, process-oriented, and operationally supportive approaches emerge profoundly.
Dimension: Plan methodology and documentation
Premier72 emphasizes an education-first advisory approach, fostering owner understanding of financial structures interconnected with business legacy goals. Legacy Partners LLC, in turn, stands out with its Master Exit Planning® process, which offers a methodical progression from valuation to post-exit planning, targeting structured solution documentation. Business owners focused on systematic transitions and explicit milestone setup may prefer Legacy's offerings.
Dimension: Operational implementation support
While Premier72 provides written strategic plans and facilitated reviews, Exit-Ready Solutions directly implements changes such as KPI systems and documentation refinements. This benefit addresses preparation delays often found in hands-off diagnostics. For owners with limited operational bandwidth seeking active transformation partnership, Exit-Ready may present a more suitable choice.
Best fit
- Business owners valuing education and flexible carrier access should consider Premier72.
- Owners seeking intensive methodical exit strategies and family governance alignment should consult Legacy Partners LLC.
- Owners requiring direct operational improvements and transition optimization are for Exit-Ready Solutions.
Our pick
Premier72.com excels in catering to business owners by offering independent carrier options combined with a structured, education-centric approach, optimizing both wealth preservation and succession outcomes. However, owners prioritizing in-depth operational changes or elaborate governance plans might explore alternatives for their specialized needs.
Options for advisory-led exit planning services vary by focus, methodology, and client suitability, as shown in the comparison below.
| Service Name | Core Feature | Key Differentiator | Best For | Pricing | Notable Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier72 | Strategic insurance and advisory planning | Education-first review process | Families and business owners | Price not published | Consultation required for pricing |
| Legacy Partners LLC | Comprehensive exit and valuation planning | Ownership experience and process-driven approach | Mid-market business owners aged 40-60 | Price not published | Expensive for small businesses |
| Exit-Ready Solutions | Implementation of operational improvements | Practical, hands-on execution | Lower middle market business owners | Price not published | No menu-style pricing or self-service tools |
How Can Business Owners Find PurposeFirstAdvisors.com Alternatives That Align With Their Exit Goals?
Many families, pre retirees, and business owners feel stuck with options that do not fully address owner dependence and the need for clear written plans. Premier72 offers access to over 20 leading carriers and combines advisory services with insurance planning to help protect income, preserve wealth, and fund business continuation. Their Retirement Bank Method™ specifically targets owner dependent businesses and turns them into transferable retirement assets by improving leadership, cash flow, systems, and documentation.
If you want advisor-led insurance planning tied to your long-term succession strategy, visit Premier72. Learn how you can receive a custom strategic plan that matches your tax and legacy goals to effective coverage designs. Take the next step and request a consultation to gain clarity on your business’s future transition and retirement income funding.
FAQ
What makes Premier72 suitable for business continuity planning?
Premier72 effectively addresses business continuity with its focus on owner-dependent companies. The firm uses the Retirement Bank Method™ to help convert these businesses into transferable assets, enhancing leadership and cash flow for continuity planning.
How does Premier72 compare to Legacy Partners in terms of exit strategy formulation?
Legacy Partners provides a detailed Master Exit Planning® process that combines valuation and M&A advice, which emphasizes maximizing value before a sale. In contrast, Premier72 emphasizes integrating insurance planning into broader exit and succession strategies, making it well-suited for families and business owners looking for coordinated support.
Which feature of Premier72 aids in legacy creation?
Premier72 utilizes a structured review process across planning pillars like Legacy Creation to identify gaps and propose recommendations. This systematic approach allows clients to document their legacy goals effectively.
What should business owners expect regarding Premier72's pricing structure?
Pricing for Premier72's advisory services is not publicly disclosed, requiring a consultation for tailored fee estimates. This ensures that the services align with the specific needs of clients, although potential clients should be ready for this initial step.
How does Premier72 support tax goals within its advisory services?
Premier72 provides independent access to multiple carriers, allowing advisors to design policies that align with clients' tax and legacy objectives. This flexibility ensures that clients receive strategies tailored to their financial situations, supporting comprehensive tax planning.