Aware that many technology and other business entrepreneurs need an exit plan for their businesses, FOCUS Investment Banking has teamed up with Trusted Counsel, Wilmington Trust, Bennett Thrasher and Carabiner Communications to host “Prepping the Princess for the Party: Is Your Business Ready to Sell?” The event will take place on Wednesday, October 12, at 6 p.m. at The Buckhead Club in Atlanta. C-level executives and business owners interested in attending should visit http://www.preppingtheprincess.com to request an invitation.

According to a 2014 study by Securian Financial Group, more than six in 10 small business owners looking to cash out in the next decade don't have an exit plan—and aren't working on one, either. Similarly, the 2015 U.S. Trust Report indicated that only 40 percent of business owners have a succession plan.

“Based on the popularity of our Prepping the Princess podcasts, we know business owners and their executive management team members are very interested in learning how to make their business attractive to a buyer,” said Managing Partner Evelyn Ashley, Trusted Counsel. “By tapping into experts in investment banking, accounting, branding and wealth management, we aim to help these executives understand the steps—and especially the planning time required—to successfully position a company for a sale.”

Managing Partner of FOCUS Investment Banking, George Shea, stated that prospective sellers need to be “Sales-Ready,” and there are key steps that executives need to take before putting their business up for sale; these steps will all be fully covered at the event.

Attendees can expect to learn:

• What steps can be taken inside the business to make it more attractive;

• How to know when your business is ready for the transaction dance;

• What management and owners should consider when planning an exit; and

• How to get multiple offers from different buyers, and leverage those offers against each other.

Panelists will include Manan Shah, managing partner at FOCUS Investment Banking; John Monahon, partner, Trusted Counsel; Donna Barwick, vice president and senior fiduciary officer, Wilmington Trust; Raygan Evans, tax partner, Bennett Thrasher; and Peter Baron, founder and principal, Carabiner Communications. Evelyn Ashley and George Shea are slated to moderate the panel.

There is no charge for the event, which will take place on October 12 at 6 p.m. at The Buckhead Club at 3344 Peachtree Road, Suite 2600 in Atlanta. C-level executives and business owners interested in attending should visit http://www.preppingtheprincess.com to request an invitation.