In my September article, I introduced the “Early Exit Planning Project”, a nationwide collaboration among XPX chapter members focused on improving exit outcomes for business owners by getting them educated and engaged in comprehensive exit planning 5 to 10 years before any planned exit.
We kicked off the project in September with a Zoom meeting of XPX chapter leaders to discuss the project. We drafted a Project Overview document to be shared in October board meetings to introduce the project and propose chapter representation in project working groups. I was honored to sit in on board meetings with a couple XPX chapters to participate in those discussions.
Now nearing the end of October, I can report the project has broad support across XPX chapters. Leaders of chapters in Houston, Philadelphia, Charlotte and Atlanta have confirmed interest and are identifying Working Group representatives for their chapters. In addition, several members of other chapters with personal interest in our project have proactively volunteered for our Working Groups.
Given my personal history as the founding President of XPX Charlotte, our Charlotte chapter has strong representation on this project, with three Steering Committee members and the Outreach Working Group chair being from XPX Charlotte. I am greatful to have David Shavzin, a founder of XPX Atlanta on our committee, but we’re actively looking to diversify our ranks and are inviting leaders of other committed chapters to join our project leadership team.
Our project timetable will activate Working Groups in early November and have initial drafts of their process “blueprints” circulated to XPX Chapter Leaders for comment by late March 2026. Soon thereafter, we will confirm chapters who will be willing to pilot those blueprints beginning next April/May.
Starting with the November Project Update, I’ll be including news from each of our Working Group leaders outlining progress designing our process blueprints. Exciting news ahead!
Tom Bixby
Early Exit Planning Steering Committee Chair
XPX Charlotte Co-Founder and Founding President
EvaluSys CEO