Most owners discover the real value of their business when it's too late to change it. Michael Toups shows you how to maximize value, navigate the sale, and exit on your terms with fulfillment and meaning.
Building a great business and selling one are two completely different skills. By the time most owners figure that out, it's too late.
Issues that reduce value — messy financials, owner dependency, customer concentration, etc. — take time to fix. Don't wait until due diligence.
Most owners anchor themselves on an inflated valuation and are blindsided by the process, especially when buyers offer far less than expected.
Without a competitive buyer process, a clear understanding of deal terms, and the right advisors, sellers consistently lose significant value in their deal.
"The question isn't just what your business is worth today — it's what it could be worth with the right preparation, the right team, and the right exit strategy.
— Michael Toups, What's It Worth?
Ten chapters of straight-talk guidance from someone who has been on both sides of the table — and done it for himself.
Available in print and Kindle
Download Free: Exit Action PlanPDF — Appendix from the book
Clean financials and documented add-backs ready for buyer review
Realistic valuation range supported by actual market comps
Trustworthy professional team assembled before you need them
Due diligence data room organized and ready to open
Negotiation strategy defined with non-negotiables established
Deal killers identified and mitigated before buyer discovery
Net proceeds forecast built — taxes planned before LOI
Post-sale life plan in place so the exit actually delivers
From early positioning to closing day, Michael works alongside owners who want to sell smarter — not just faster.
A thorough evaluation of where your business stands today against what buyers expect — with a clear roadmap to close the gaps before going to market.
Hands-on advisory to maximize your valuation, structure the right sale process, and position your business for the best possible outcome with the right buyer.
Support through the full transaction — from managing buyer diligence to navigating deal terms to protecting your net proceeds at the closing table.
Every engagement starts with understanding your goals — not with a generic checklist.
A 20-minute conversation to understand your business, your timeline, and your goals. No obligation, no pitch — just clarity.
Review your financials, operations, and market position. Identify the value drivers and the gaps that need to close.
Build a tailored exit plan — valuation range, buyer type, timeline, and the specific actions that will move the needle.
Ongoing advisory through positioning, diligence, negotiation, and closing — so you never navigate it alone.
Michael Toups is a seasoned executive, investment banker, and operator with more than 30 years of experience leading, buying, selling, and scaling companies in the U.S. and abroad.
As a board-level advisor to portfolio companies, Michael has helped leadership teams refine strategy, strengthen operations, and prepare for liquidity events, as well as expand into the public sector and government marketplaces.
As an entrepreneur, Michael brings firsthand experience to the exit process. He has successfully exited four startup ventures of his own over the course of his career. Those real-world experiences — both the wins and the challenges — shape the practical guidance shared in his book, What's It Worth?
Michael holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Notre Dame, a BBA in Finance from Texas Christian University, and a Higher Education Teaching Certificate from Harvard University.
Whether you're planning to sell in 6 months or 5 years, the time to prepare is now.
Start with the book or schedule a discovery call with Michael.
Whether you're actively preparing to sell or just beginning to think about your exit, a 20-minute conversation can change the trajectory of your outcome.
Michael works with a select number of business owners each year. Reach out to see whether there's a fit.
Michael is also available for speaking engagements, podcasts, executive workshops, and board advisory roles focused on exit strategy and business valuation.