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What does it really take to prepare a business for sale, succession, or transition?

In this episode of Are You Ready?, Neil Cockburn is joined by Brad Gaulin of MExit and Neha Desilets of Kingston Ross Pasnak to explore the realities of business exit planning. The conversation goes far beyond the idea of simply selling a company. Instead, it focuses on the strategic and often lengthy process of preparing a business for a change in ownership, whether that means an external sale, a transition to family members, or a path toward employee ownership. With trillions of dollars in Canadian business wealth expected to change hands over the next decade, the topic has never been more relevant.

Brad shares how his work in business transformation naturally led into exit planning. He explains that many owners assume they can sell their business whenever they are ready, but a successful exit often depends on years of preparation. That includes building a stronger leadership team, creating systems that allow the business to operate without the owner at the center of everything, and understanding the true after-tax value of the company. The discussion reinforces a key idea: preparing a business for exit often makes it stronger, more scalable, and more valuable, whether or not a sale ultimately happens.

Neil and Neha also highlight the personal side of exit planning. For many owners, the business is closely tied to identity, purpose, and long-term financial security. That is why exit planning must begin with clarity around what comes next, not just the transaction itself. This episode offers a practical look at why starting early matters, how better planning creates more options, and why the most successful exits are built long before they are executed.

About Neil Cockburn

Neil Cockburn is a Chartered Professional Accountant (FCPA), Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA), and Trust andEstate Practitioner (TEP), and the Director of Family Enterprise Advisory Services at Kingston Ross Pasnak LLP. With more than 40 years of experience working alongside business owners and family enterprises, Neil specializes in succession planning, intergenerational wealth transition, and estate strategy. He is known for helping families navigate complex transitions with clarity and confidence—always grounded in one central question: Are you ready for what comes next?

About Neha Desilets

Neha Desilets is a Principal in the Consulting and Special Projects Practice at Kingston Ross Pasnak LLP. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), with over 17 years of experience supporting organizations through audit, business advisory, and complex strategic initiatives. Neha has worked extensively with private companies, not‑for‑profit organizations, and First Nation entities, with a focus on governance, risk management, and due diligence. As a member of the Exit Planning Institute, she helps business owners prepare for transition with clarity, structure, and confidence—bridging the gap between today’s decisions and long‑term outcomes.

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