Exit Ready: How to Prepare for a Strategic Business Transition with Amanda Cole

After building a successful business over years — even decades — many founders start asking: “When should I exit? What are my options? How do I maximise value and step back without walking away?”In this insightful episode of the Business Women Australia Podcast Show, Lyn Hawkins is joined by Amanda Cole — Strategic Growth Facilitator at Spark and Chair of the Exit2030 Peer Group — to unpack the critical path to a successful business exit.Amanda works with growth-focused founders generating $2M+ in annual revenue who are navigating the complexities of scaling sustainably, leading strategically, and ultimately preparing to transition — whether via sale, succession, or stepping back from day-to-day operations.With thousands of Australian businesses run by baby boomers, and more than 50% of those never selling successfully, Amanda is on a mission to shift that trajectory. She shares how business owners can design a strategic exit over a 5-year horizon — and why the time to start is now. In this episode:How to assess whether your business is truly “exit ready”Why most owners overestimate their business’s value — and how to fix itStructuring for management buyouts, partial exits, and scaling under managementThe 5-year Exit2030 framework for founders who want optionsReal examples of advisory-led growth and successful transition strategiesThe personal side of exit: identity, leadership, and letting goAmanda brings deep insights from years of Chairing Advisory Boards for private and family businesses, helping business owners shape strategy, prepare for capital events, and create value beyond the founder. If you're a business owner ready to work on your business, not just in it — this episode is essential listening.About Amanda ColeAmanda helps mid-sized business owners and executive teams scale sustainably, navigate succession, and build value in preparation for exit.As an experienced strategy facilitator, Chair, and trusted advisor, Amanda has worked with over 100 private and family-owned businesses, typically with revenues between $20M and $500M. With a track record that includes leading more than 390 peer board meetings, 120+ strategic planning sessions, and over 2,400 leadership coaching conversations, Amanda brings both depth and breadth of expertise to the table.Clients engage Amanda when they:Need clarity on growth strategies or exit optionsAre transitioning from founder-led to managed operating modelsWant to establish or enhance an effective advisory boardAre ready to address succession planning and performance accountability in earnestWhat sets Amanda apart is a unique blend of commercial strategy, facilitation mastery, and practical boardroom insight. Having founded and successfully exited businesses, and currently chairing advisory boards across sectors such as construction, professional services, technology, creative industries and hospitality, Amanda brings lived experience and cross-industry wisdom to every engagement.Specialties include:• Advisory Boards & Governance for Medium Business• Strategy Facilitation and Succession Planning• Exit-Readiness and Business Value Uplift• Leadership Coaching and Accountability FrameworksFor organizations seeking a strategic partner with a commercial edge, someone who facilitates high-impact conversations and swiftly gets to the core of complex challenges— Amanda is a powerful ally.About Lyn HawkinsLyn is the Founder and National Director of Business Women Australia and a management consultant and leadership coach. She is known for her practical focus on achieving growth and transformation. Lyn advises some of Australia’s most successful professional firms and business leadership teams. She is also the WA Director of the Private Wealth Network and mentors Commerce students at UWA. Lyn has held senior roles with KPMG, HHG Legal Group, HLB Mann Judd and Telstra, in addition to General Management roles with technology-based businesses.