My Exit Strategy

Planning my exit strategy is extremely important but even more exciting to think about when envisioning the potential long term success of the business venture.  My exit strategy is to preserve Alpha Body Fitness Center as a 100% family owned business and protect the venture from outside investors and partnerships.  I want to implement my exit strategy in a two-part phase.  First, I will officially bring her into the decision making process at the age of 25 to give her time to finish college while working part-time with Alpha Body.  She will learn the operational side of the business during this time.  Once she fully understands the daily operations of the business, then I will immediately promote her to CEO at the age of 30 while I still retain full ownership.  When I feel confident that she can successfully run the business then I will retire and relinquish ownership to my daughter. 

            I chose this particular exit strategy because I don’t want my daughter to have to work for someone else her entire life.  I want her to have financial and spiritual freedom to make her own decisions without anyone having power and reign over her career.  Also, I want to pass the business to her early enough before she becomes fully invested in a career outside of the family business.  My heart is into health, fitness, and helping people which is the foundation of Alpha Body Fitness Center.  My main interest would be to create a well respected identity in Tallahassee and cities beyond that’s associated with the family name that my daughter can be proud of.  The one characteristic that describes my exit strategy is leaving behind a legacy that can be passed on for generations to come.  Finally, my plan will be to give the family business a bit of a fresh and young perspective while maintaining the long proven characteristics that defined the success of the business since inception. 

            My exit strategy has definitely influenced decisions in crafting my business venture concept.  For example, the decision to create a true family environment by delineating from just great customer service has been the foundational quality to creating a legacy that will be well respected in the community.  Also, the ancillary product mix I chose to offer such as healthy cook books, special operations workout books, herbal teas, organic supplements, etc. will help people understand that Alpha Body Fitness Center is not only interested in pushing them to reach their physical fitness goals but also their overall health and wellness.  Most importantly, Alpha Body Fitness Center will be located within residential communities which is much different that your traditional gym.  The concept of being located within the residential communities of Tallahassee gives the business an identity as a major pillar in these communities and it will be extremely hard to walk away from a business that has established strong relationships with it’s residents.  My planned exit strategy has also influenced my intentions of expansion.  I plan to pass Alpha Body Fitness Center to my daughter and the success and longevity of the business will dictate how far the business expands.