How EO's Navigating Your Exit Program Helps Entrepreneurs Prepare for What's Next

October 10, 2025

Published in:

Leadership & Management

The 2025 cohort of Navigating Your Exit pose for a class photo at Harvard. — The inaugural 2025 class of EO with Harvard "Navigating Your Exit" executive education program. Photo by Entrepreneurs' Organization

You’ve built your company from the ground up — it’s your creation; it feels like it’s a part of you. Yet, as an entrepreneur, you know an eventual exit is part of the journey. But whether that exit looms in the murky middle distance or is swiftly approaching, few founders feel fully prepared for what the milestone process of selling a company entails.

Exiting your business is one of the most consequential decisions an entrepreneur can make. If you go into the exit process well prepared, it can provide financial security, protect your legacy, and unfurl the freedom to pursue your next step. Done hastily, it can lead to regret and upheaval.

Exiting a business is one of the most consequential decisions an entrepreneur can make. EO can help you gain the clarity and strategies to make your exit—and what comes next—a success.

With EO members who are contemplating an exit in mind, EO collaborated with Harvard Business School (HBS) to create its latest executive education program: Navigating Your Exit. The inaugural program took place September 2025 in Boston. With world-class instruction from Harvard professors plus EO’s signature candid conversations, the four-day intensive learning experience equipped EO members with the tools, frameworks, and peer insights necessary to formulate successful exit strategies.

We spoke with participants Kelli Sexton (EO Canada Bridge) and Bobbi Bullock (EO Idaho) to understand what Navigating Your Exit offers. Their reflections highlight how the program prepares founders to manage one of the most pivotal transitions in entrepreneurial life.

Gaining Clarity Where There Was Confusion

Bobbi is actively in the process of selling her business — so when she saw that EO was offering a program focused on entrepreneurial exits, it seemed like kismet.

“I had been going down the private equity route but wasn't loving what I was finding,” Bobbi shared. “I wanted to understand all the options and paths to sell. EO’s program absolutely delivered.”

Kelli, on the other hand, is not actively looking to sell her business. She had heard fellow EOers talk about selling their companies but didn’t know where to even start in planning for an exit.

“I came into the program with very little knowledge about what to consider, how to plan, and how to be successful with an exit goal,” Kelli explained. “I gained a lot more context on what I need to think about now in order to create a successful exit in the future.”

Navigating Your Exit put the focus on practical strategies and exit frameworks. Participants walked away with a clearer understanding of the building blocks of a strong exit—everything from preparing financials to cultivating the right advisors to envisioning life after the sale.

Aha Moments: The Power of Advisors

One significant mindset shift came from gaining an understanding of the role various advisors can play in the exit process.

“I was confused about the different roles involved, the necessity of them, and the risk of going without a particular advisor,” Kelli shared. “The program provided context and set expectations about the investment requirements for each. That framing is extremely helpful before beginning the process of securing the best-fit advisors, as they do add significant cost to the exit process.”

By reframing exits as a long-term strategy rather than a last-minute transaction, entrepreneurs can maximize company value and achieve a smoother outcome.

Business exits are rarely solo endeavors. Surrounding yourself with the right team early on can mean the difference between a smooth process and a painful one.

“I've changed how I think about brokers after attending the Harvard EO program,” Bobbi said. “I was skeptical at the broker's high fee, but I realize that I'm out of my league trying to sell without one.”

Learning from EO Member Experiences

As with every EO executive education program, the peer-to-peer learning significantly enhanced the classroom instruction.

Kelli expected to be surrounded by fellow “green exiters”—entrepreneurs in the early stages of exit planning—but was surprised that many of her fellow participants had already bought or sold companies.

“Their experiences added to the material being taught. I came into the program very fuzzy about what was involved in exiting and how to determine the right timing,” Kelli said. “I gained the clarity I was seeking about my own growth and exit strategy.”

That blend of academics and lived experience makes EO executive education programs distinct. University faculty provide proven frameworks, while EO members bring real-world examples to share, illuminating any gray areas.

EO Trust and Respect in Action

While the Harvard professors set a high bar, both Bobbi and Kelli emphasized that the real value in attending EO programs is the EO community itself.

“I unexpectedly gained a new international EO community,” Bobbi explained. “We all ate dinner at a restaurant one night, split into tables of eight. Our table decided to share the high and low 5%. The immediate trust of EO let us go deep, really fast. The most intimate shares were given, and we all know that we will keep each other's confidentiality.”

That trust—rooted in mutual respect and a thirst for learning—is the fuel that launches every EO program beyond skill-building to create unparalleled experiences.

“I have never found an EO executive program to be a waste, and this was no exception. The framework was solid—comfortable environments, top-notch Harvard professors, well-executed logistics. But the real value, as is typical of EO executive programs, is the people in the room,” Kelli shared. “The conversations, candor, and connection are hard to replicate elsewhere. There may be other executive programs available, but the backbone of EO executive programs is the shared ethos of EO members.”

From Insight to Impact

Kelli left the program with a tangible shift: “I am aware of the need to identify future potential buyers now and build to their needs, in order to create an exceptional future exit,” she said.

By reframing the concept of an exit as a long-term strategy rather than a last-minute transaction, entrepreneurs can maximize their company’s value and set themselves up for smoother transitions.

An Invitation to EO Members

For entrepreneurs considering an exit—whether in two years or twenty—Navigating Your Exit offers a powerful opportunity to prepare with intention.

“You have to begin with the ending in mind. It takes about 2-3 years to sell, with a lot of ramp time. Think of selling a house and all the repairs you have to make before going to market. Now think of your PNL and balance sheet,” Bobbi explained. “As the only one actively selling, now I have a huge cheering squad and group to bounce ideas off of.”

“If you are thinking of joining Navigating Your Exit, just do it,” Bobbi shared. “It was incredible.”

Kelli shared similar thoughts for potential future participants:

“Do it. I cannot think of an EO executive program that was not worth the investment, and this one is no exception.”

At EO, we recognize that entrepreneurship as more than building a company. We support founders to help you grow as leaders, shape your future, and move the world forward. When the time comes to exit your company, EO can help you approach that milestone with the knowledge, clarity, and confidence to make your next chapter your best yet.

EO members are invited to learn more about EO and Harvard Business School’s Navigating Your Exit program and sign up for the interest list to receive information on upcoming programs.

Written by Anne-Wallis Droter, EO Staff Writer