The Exit Planning Institute (EPI) has added Million Dollar Author to its network of Alliance Partners, a strategic move that could reshape how exit planning advisors position themselves in a crowded market. The partnership, announced by the leading authority on exit planning for advisors, business consultants and business owners, pairs EPI's deep bench of certified professionals with a firm that has published more than 370 books designed to turn expertise into client acquisition engines.
For EPI, the alliance is about giving its members another tool to reach business owners at the moment they need help most. Josh Koza, director of strategic relationships at EPI, noted that many EPI members have already written books on exit planning, business growth, entrepreneurship and leadership. Each member, he said, brings a unique methodology and perspective worth sharing. By bringing Million Dollar Author into the fold, EPI is effectively saying that thought leadership in book form is not a vanity project but a strategic asset for advisors who want to be seen as trusted authorities.
The implications for the exit planning profession are significant. Exit planning is a long-game discipline: advisors must build relationships with business owners years, sometimes decades, before a transition actually happens. A book can serve as a credibility marker that opens doors early, when the advisor can provide the most value. Steve Gordon, founder of Million Dollar Author, framed the partnership in exactly those terms, saying the goal is to help create more of the good kind of exit. Books, he argued, can position Certified Exit Planning Advisors (CEPA) so they reach business owners before those owners are ready to exit, when the CEPA provides the most benefit. He added that every book his firm writes is a force for good in the world because clients solve real problems for people.
That alignment matters because the exit planning market is becoming more competitive. Business owners are often overwhelmed by the range of advisors claiming to specialize in transitions. Differentiation is critical, and a well-executed book can separate a CEPA from the pack. It can also generate speaking invitations, referral networks and new client relationships, according to Million Dollar Author's track record. For EPI, the partnership reinforces its broader strategy of building an ecosystem of trusted collaborators that support advisor development and member engagement. Alliance Partners work closely with EPI through educational content, programming, events and collaboration, providing resources that help advisors and business owners navigate the exit planning process.
For advisors considering whether to write a book, the message from this partnership is clear: the earlier you establish authority, the earlier you can help business owners plan for a successful transition. And for business owners, the rise of advisor-authors could mean access to more seasoned, better-positioned professionals. More information about EPI's Alliance Partners is available on the EPI website, and the organization's broader resources can be found at exit-planning-institute.org.
