The Exit Planning Institute (EPI), a leading authority on exit planning for advisors and business owners, has announced a strategic partnership with Million Dollar Author, a firm that helps professional services founders turn their expertise into best-selling books. The collaboration, revealed today, adds Million Dollar Author to EPI's network of Alliance Partners, a group of trusted collaborators that support advisor development and member engagement through educational content, programming, and events.
For EPI, the partnership represents a targeted effort to enhance the resources available to its Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) community. Many EPI members have already authored books on exit planning, business growth, entrepreneurship, and leadership, each bringing a unique methodology and perspective. By formally aligning with Million Dollar Author, EPI aims to expand that capacity, helping more advisors establish themselves as thought leaders and reach business owners at critical junctures.
"We are excited to welcome Million Dollar Author to EPI's network of Alliance Partners," said Josh Koza, director of strategic relationships at EPI. "Many EPI members have written books about exit planning, business growth, entrepreneurship, and leadership; each member of our community has a unique methodology and perspective to share."
The implications of this partnership extend beyond simple resource sharing. According to Steve Gordon, founder of Million Dollar Author, books can serve as a strategic tool for CEPAs to engage business owners before they are ready to exit—a period when advisors can provide the most value. "Through this partnership with EPI, we want to help create more of the good kind of exit," Gordon said. "Books can position Certified Exit Planning Advisors (CEPA®) so that they reach business owners before those owners are ready to exit, when the CEPA provides the most benefit. Every book we write is a force for good in the world. Our clients solve real problems for people."
This approach addresses a common challenge in exit planning: business owners often postpone planning until they are ready to sell, missing opportunities to maximize value and ensure a smooth transition. By equipping advisors with published works, the partnership seeks to shift that timeline, enabling advisors to build trust and demonstrate expertise early on. Million Dollar Author reports having published more than 370 books that have generated new clients, speaking invitations, or referral networks for their authors, suggesting a proven track record in helping professionals amplify their reach.
For the broader exit planning industry, the alliance signals a growing recognition that thought leadership and authorship are powerful differentiators. As the CEPA credential continues to be the most widely endorsed professional exit planning program globally, partnerships like this one may further professionalize the field and raise the standard for advisor engagement. Business owners, in turn, could benefit from advisors who are not only technically proficient but also skilled communicators capable of articulating complex strategies in accessible ways.
EPI encourages those interested in learning more about its Alliance Partners to visit the EPI website. The organization, formed in 2005, provides educational and resource support to professional business advisors, and its CEPA program offers content, tools, and training to help advisors become their clients' most valued advisors.
