January Member Spotlight featuring Ed Barone. The conversation offered a clear, real-world look at what it means to build a practice around exit planning—and how doing the work, not just talking about it, can materially change both client outcomes and firm growth.
Ed spoke about the tangible impact exit planning has had on his business. He shared that the exit planning engagements he has worked on have generated more than $100 million in assets under management, becoming a significant portion of his overall book. More importantly, exit planning gave him the confidence and clarity to intentionally narrow his focus. Today, Ed works exclusively with business owners, transitioning smaller, non-core relationships to other advisors so he can stay concentrated on higher-value planning engagements.
Ed positioned himself not just as a financial advisor, but as a true exit planning specialist. Ed is creating better outcomes for clients and a far more scalable, profitable practice for himself. Ed also spoke about how his thinking around exit planning has matured over time, culminating in the recent publication of his book, Exiting Your Business with Clarity. The book reflects the same practical, owner-focused mindset he brings to his client engagements, helping owners understand their options, confront tradeoffs, and make informed decisions long before a transaction is on the table.
If you missed the live session, or would like to revisit the discussion, we encourage you to watch the replay on the IEPA member website. It is a strong example of how members are building sustainable exit planning practices and being compensated fairly for the work they do. Check out the full conversation below:
