Owner preparation is the disciplined process of proving authority, governance readiness, financial maturity, and risk ownership before shares change hands.

Most internal buyouts fail not because the valuation is wrong—but because readiness was assumed instead of prepared.

Common failure points include:

• Equity transferred before leadership authority is proven
• Cash flow strain after SBA or bank debt service begins
• Founder shadow leadership undermining new owners
• Governance disputes between employees
• Lenders losing confidence post-close

The ABG Owner Preparation Framework™ exists to prevent these outcomes—locally and nationally.

Throughout the life cycle of a business, ownership changes. Founders often look for an exit strategy that benefits them and ensures their business’s future success.

This framework is designed exclusively for founders and owners who:

• Built and scaled a privately held business
• Are planning an internal buyout or management buyout (MBO)
• Want continuity without gambling their life’s work
• Need successors who can satisfy SBA 7(a) or conventional bank lenders
• Value governance, discipline, and long-term stewardship

Not for quick exits. Built for prepared transitions.

Aurora Business Group provides founder preparation advisory services for:

• Internal buyouts (IBO)
• Management buyouts (MBO)
• Employee ownership transitions
• SBA-funded ownership transfers
• Minority equity and phased buyouts

Equity follows demonstrated authority, judgment, and governance discipline—
never tenure, loyalty, or intention.

This principle aligns directly with:

• SBA underwriting standards
• Bank risk evaluation
• Long-term partner stability

The Six Founder Preparation Phases™

The ABG Founder Preparation Framework™ uses six phase-gated readiness stages.
Each phase must be completed before progressing to the next.