About BEI
Empowering Business Advisors to Lead With Confidence

Our History
Our roots go back to 1977, when BEI founder, John Brown, began working with business owners as an estate planning attorney. Soon John realized that while plenty of advisors focused on managing wealth, no one was helping business owners plan for the biggest financial event of their lives: exiting their businesses.
Determined to solve this problem, John developed what became the industry’s first structured Exit Planning process—tested and refined with hundreds of his own clients. Over time, he codified this approach into The BEI Seven Step Exit Planning Process™, laying the groundwork for what Exit Planning would become.
In 1996, John founded BEI to empower other advisors to serve business owners with the same clarity, strategy, and long-term impact. His books—including How to Run Your Business So You Can Leave It in Style and Cash Out Move On—have sold hundreds of thousands of copies and remain foundational texts in Exit Planning.
What started in a law office (and later, a garage stacked with pallets of books) has grown into a national network of advisors helping owners protect and realize the value of their life’s work.
Today, BEI is led by CEO Fletcher Brown—the owner of that garage, who thought he was simply doing his dad a favor by accepting a “few boxes” of books… only to find a full pallet on his doorstep. Fletcher soon found himself packing and shipping books by the dozen, and eventually building his own advisory practice using BEI’s methodology.
Under Fletcher’s leadership, BEI has evolved to meet the needs of modern advisors—offering advanced planning software, continuing education, and a collaborative community, all from our home base in sunny Denver, Colorado.
At the heart of BEI is a simple belief: advisors change lives. We’re here to help them do that—with smarter tools, stronger strategies, and a shared commitment to helping business owners plan for what’s next.


Mission
We empower business advisors across industries to turn Exit Planning and Owner Based Planning insights into action—equipping them with the tools, strategies, and hands-on support to lead successful business transitions.
Vision
To create a future where every business owner is empowered to build the value of their company transitions on their own terms—guided by well-equipped, forward-thinking advisors.
Our Partners
At BEI, we believe collaboration drives impact. We’re proud to partner with organizations that share our commitment to helping business advisors succeed and business owners thrive. From corporate partnerships that extend our reach, to trusted professionals who support implementation, our partners play a vital role in expanding access to quality Exit Planning and Owner Based Planning solutions.
Together, we’re building a stronger advisor community—one rooted in education, connection, and results.
Strategic Partners
Coming soon!
Growth Partners
Resource Partners

How We Help Advisors Thrive
At BEI, we equip advisors with the structure, tools, and support they need to confidently lead business owners through complex planning conversations. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to deepen your practice, our platform is built to meet you where you are—and help you grow.
From certification and advanced training to marketing resources, planning software, and a connected advisor community, everything we offer is designed to support your success and elevate the value you deliver to your clients.
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More Professional Insights from BEI
Exit Planning Articles
How to Save a Legacy Business: Lessons from Sam Wo’s Possible Closure
Sam Wo, a 115-year-old Chinatown institution, faces closure as its owner retires without a successor. This historic restaurant, known for its simple Cantonese dishes and colorful legacy, highlights the vital...
The Business Advisor’s First and Second Mistakes
After decades spent working with both advisors and owners, we’ve found that advisors who want to represent owners make two fundamental mistakes in approach.
How Advisors Can Differentiate Themselves: Taking the Burden Off the Owner
Business owners are a rare breed. In founding their businesses, they buck the trend of working for someone. They think differently, act differently, and succeed differently from most people. This...