Some moments in life are forever etched in memory—not because we planned for them, but because they demanded everything we had in the face of uncertainty.
I was 29, just launching my first management consulting firm. I had landed my very first client: my father’s successful business. We were scheduled to meet early that morning in his home office to begin work on his company’s strategic direction. I arrived prepared and excited, ready to take the first step in my new venture.
As I reviewed my notes, my father stepped away. Minutes passed. When he didn’t return, I went to check on him. That’s when I found him. He had collapsed.
My father—vibrant, healthy, and just months removed from a triathlon—had suffered a massive stroke. Forty-eight hours later, he was gone.
In an instant, my family lost its leader. His business, which supported employees and sustained our family’s financial well-being, was now without direction. Grieving and unprepared, we faced more than personal heartbreak—we were staring down the reality of a business without a succession plan.
My mother, reeling from the sudden loss of her husband of 36 years, wasn’t in a position to take over. My brother lived out of state, and my sister was focused on raising a young family. I was the only one who could step in.
So, I did.
Over the next nine months, I immersed myself in a business I had never planned to run. My goal was clear: secure my mother’s financial future by positioning the company for sale. This meant quickly learning the inner workings of the business, earning the trust of employees, and making critical operational decisions—all while navigating my own grief.
The work was intense and deeply personal. I wasn’t just helping a client—I was carrying a legacy. I worked to stabilize the company, sustain morale, and prepare it for a successful transition. When we eventually sold the business, it wasn’t just a transaction. It was the culmination of months of leadership, commitment, and an unwavering sense of duty to my family and my father’s legacy.
This experience became foundational to everything I do now. It taught me what it means to lead when you have no choice but to lead. It’s not about credentials or confidence. It’s about showing up—especially when it’s hard—and taking responsibility when it matters most.
Some exits come with years of planning. Others arrive overnight. Both deserve care, clarity, and expertise.
This wasn’t the exit anyone expected. But it was a successful one. And it shaped the way I now guide others through their own defining transitions—with empathy, urgency, and real-world experience.
This experience wasn’t theoretical—it was lived. I’ve been in the seat of the decision-maker, facing unimaginable pressure, zero margin for error, and the weight of preserving a legacy. I know what it’s like to make leadership decisions in real time, without a roadmap, while balancing the emotions and responsibilities that come with family, employees, and a future at stake.
That’s why Exit Pathways exists.
We don’t just bring technical expertise—we bring lived experience. We know how complex, emotional, and high-stakes exit planning can be, especially when life throws the unexpected your way. Whether you have years to prepare or are navigating a sudden transition, we stand beside you with the clarity, empathy, and decisiveness needed to get to the other side.
Because we’ve been there—and we know what it takes to lead through it.
Author: Brent Drever, Managing Partner
