Breakfast Boost Series: The Intelligent Exit Strategy for Founder-Led Companies

Join us for the next GrowFL Breakfast Boost on Friday, November 7th at 8:30am at the Northern Trust in Stuart, FL.

Sit alongside Bill West, Strategic Transition Advisor for Founder-led companies and President of Acquisition Experts LLC and Michele Miller, Senior Vice President at Northern Trust – Vero Beach, for an exclusive GrowFL Breakfast Boost on Exit Strategies and the Qualified Small Business Stock benefits. This program is specifically designed for CEOs, presidents, and business owners of second-stage growth companies looking to navigate a smart, financeable, and legacy-preserving exit.

Attendees won’t want to miss this essential, high-level overview of the Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) benefits, especially in light of the recent tax bill (The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, or OBBBA). QSBS is an important tax provision designed to incentivize investment in certain small businesses by providing special tax treatment for shareholders who sell qualifying stock after meeting a set holding period. Michelle Miller will break down the fundamental QSBS eligibility requirements and detail the critical updates from the new legislation.

Drawing from his 30 years in commercial lending and expertise in business sales and valuations, Bill West will discuss the critical importance of Exit Planning, emphasizing that intentional planning is the key to a high-value exit, while unexpected exits often result in sellers getting less than their business is worth.

Key Takeaways:

• Exit Planning 101
• Strategic roadmap for preparing your business for sale
• The importance of business valuations
• How to address common dealbreakers
• Detailed instructions on the sale process

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain expert insight, ask questions, and connect with other second-stage CEOs navigating similar challenges.

A light breakfast will be provided. Space is limited—reserve your seat today.

Featured Speakers:

Bill West President, Acquisition Experts LLC

Bill West, a Marine Corps veteran and transition strategist for founder-led businesses. As the architect behind ESOPable™ and Intelligent Exit, I help owners structure clean, financeable transitions that protect their people, preserve compliance, and deliver real liquidity — without selling out what made the business work in the first place. My work sits at the intersection of SBA financing, legacy preservation, and operational continuity — guiding owners through exits that are as thoughtful as the companies they built.

Michele MillerSenior Vice President, Northern Trust Vero Beach

Michele is a Senior Vice President and Senior Fiduciary Officer on the Wealth Management team in Northern Trust’s Vero Beach office. She takes great pride in understanding each client’s needs and goals and providing exceptional client service. Michele advises clients on estate planning, gifting, wealth transfer strategies, and tax saving techniques. Michele also enjoys partnering with clients on family governance matters and engaging the next generation. Prior to joining Northern Trust, Michele was an attorney in private practice specializing in estate and tax planning, trust and estate administration, business law, real estate, and advising nonprofit entities. She has in-depth knowledge of estate and tax planning techniques at all levels of complexity.