FREE ONLINE WORKSHOP
Exit Without Selling
Keep the business, leave the grind
Most founding business owners believe they have only two options: stay stuck in the center of everything or sell and walk away. In this workshop, Dr. John Fulwider shows you how to step out of day-to-day operations without giving up ownership—by making the identity shift from “I am the business” to “I own the business” and installing the decision discipline and leadership structure required for your business to run without you. You’ll leave with a practical roadmap to reduce owner dependence, protect your values, and build a business that generates freedom instead of grind.
Who it's for:
Business owners and advisors to business owners
What it is:
An online workshop to answer three questions:
Are you ready for a change?
Is your business ready for a change?
Is Exit Without Selling the right option for you?
When:
First Wednesday of each month, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. Central
Where:
Online via Zoom
To reserve your spot, click on the date you'd like:
Keep the business, leave the grind
Most founding business owners believe they have only two options: stay stuck in the center of everything or sell and walk away. In this workshop, Dr. John Fulwider shows you how to step out of day-to-day operations without giving up ownership—by making the identity shift from “I am the business” to “I own the business” and installing the decision discipline and leadership structure required for your business to run without you. You’ll leave with a practical roadmap to reduce owner dependence, protect your values, and build a business that generates freedom instead of grind.
Keep the business, leave the grind
Most founding business owners believe they have only two options: stay stuck in the center of everything or sell and walk away. In this workshop, Dr. John Fulwider shows you how to step out of day-to-day operations without giving up ownership—by making the identity shift from “I am the business” to “I own the business” and installing the decision discipline and leadership structure required for your business to run without you. You’ll leave with a practical roadmap to reduce owner dependence, protect your values, and build a business that generates freedom instead of grind.
Keep the business, leave the grind
Most founding business owners believe they have only two options: stay stuck in the center of everything or sell and walk away. In this workshop, Dr. John Fulwider shows you how to step out of day-to-day operations without giving up ownership—by making the identity shift from “I am the business” to “I own the business” and installing the decision discipline and leadership structure required for your business to run without you. You’ll leave with a practical roadmap to reduce owner dependence, protect your values, and build a business that generates freedom instead of grind.
Having someone by my side to get into the minutiae... I go from deficit to abundance, right? Like alone in my head to the joy of collaborating. I tell people you're my coach, but it's kind of like having a boss because I have someone I'm accountable to. It's like I'm managing myself by having you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will there be a recording?
Sure. Don't miss the live workshop, though, because when you show up and do the thinking exercises, you'll get answers to:
Are you ready for a change?
Is your business ready for a change?
Is Exit Without Selling the right option for you?
Who is this workshop for?
This workshop is for founding business owners who have built something real—and are starting to wonder if the business they created is still serving them.
You’ll get the most value if:
You’re tired of being the glue holding everything together
You want more freedom, but don’t want to blow everything up
You’re not sure whether to grow, sell, or change your role
You’ve thought, “I don’t want out tomorrow… but I don’t want to do this forever either”
You don’t need to be burned out—but many people who attend are.
What kinds of advisors to business owners should attend?
Anyone who wants to see business owners exit when they want, to whom they want, on the terms they want, for the price they want. This includes:
Owner Team
Accountant
Attorney
Business Broker
Business Coach/Planner
Estate Planner
Family Business Advisor
Financial/Wealth Advisor
Investment Banker/M&A Advisor
Personal/Life Coach
... and more!
Business Growth Team
Business Operating System Implementer/Guide
Commercial Realtor
Fractional Executives: CFO, CMO, COO, CRO, CTO
Professional Employer Organization (PEO)
Subject Matter Experts: Customer Service, Marketing, Operations, Sales, and More
Value Growth Advisor
... and more!
Who is this not for?
This workshop is probably not a fit if:
You’re looking for a quick flip or purely financial exit strategy
You want tactical systems without addressing the founder’s role
You’re not willing to honestly assess your own energy, freedom, or priorities
This is a thinking workshop, not a hype webinar. There will be no hustle bro energy, guaranteed.
What exactly is “Exit Without Selling”?
Exit Without Selling means changing your relationship with your business—without giving it up.
It’s the process of:
Removing yourself from day-to-day management
Building a business that runs (and performs) without you
Keeping ownership while reclaiming time, energy, and optionality
For some owners, it becomes the final destination.
For others, it becomes the bridge to a stronger sale later.
Is this an alternative to selling my business?
It can be—but it doesn’t have to be.
One of the core ideas of the workshop is this:
The same work that allows you to exit without selling also prepares you to sell on your terms—or grow aggressively.
This isn’t about locking you into a single path.
It’s about earning options.
What will I actually do during the workshop?
This is a working session, not a passive presentation.
You’ll:
Assess whether you are ready for a change
Evaluate whether your business is ready for a change
Identify where freedom is leaking out of your life and company
Compare Exit Without Selling with selling and aggressive growth
Clarify your personal push and pull factors
You’ll leave with insight, not just information.
Do I need to prepare anything in advance?
No preparation required—just show up with a pen, paper, and an honest mindset.
That said, the more willing you are to reflect and participate, the more valuable the experience will be.
Is this therapy or burnout counseling?
No—but burnout, exhaustion, and identity pressure do come up.
This workshop is about business design and leadership choices, grounded in real founder experience. Many attendees find it clarifying and relieving—but it’s not therapy.
My business isn’t ready for this yet. Is it still worth attending?
Yes.
In fact, many owners attend specifically because their business isn’t ready—and they want to understand why.
You’ll get clarity on:
What would need to change
Whether Exit Without Selling is realistic right now
What kind of timeline you might be looking at
Clarity beats guesswork.
What if I have partners or co-owners?
Partnerships add complexity—and we talk honestly about that.
This workshop won’t magically fix misaligned partnerships, but it will help you:
Understand what’s required structurally and personally
See whether your goals are compatible with your current setup
Avoid being forced into a bad decision later
Many owners find this perspective invaluable—even if the answer is uncomfortable.
Will you try to sell me something at the end?
I’ll share optional ways to get further help—because some people want support beyond a single workshop.
But this is not a bait-and-switch.
The workshop stands on its own.
What’s the biggest takeaway people usually leave with?
Most people leave with one of three things:
Relief: “It’s not just me. This really is hard.”
Clarity: “I finally see what needs to change—and why.”
Agency: “I have more options than I thought.”
That’s the point.
What if I’m not sure what I want yet?
Perfect.
This workshop is designed for owners who are undecided—not people who already have a plan.
You don’t need an answer walking in.
You just need curiosity and honesty.
What happens after the workshop?
You’ll leave with:
A clearer sense of where you are
Better questions to ask yourself
Language for decisions you may have been avoiding
If you want ongoing support, I’ll outline a few optional next steps—but the choice is always yours.
