Emily Potts Coaching

Helping founders prepare, transition and evolve through business exit

I’m Emily Potts, a UK-based exit strategist and transition coach. After 20+ years building, leading and successfully taking my own online retail business from foundation to sale, I now help other founders navigate the emotional and strategic challenges of stepping away.

Through my Exit Compass framework, I guide SME founders through three stages of the journey:

• Prepare — Strategic planning, readiness assessments, exploring options and making your business attractive to the right buyer
• Transition — Navigating handovers, earn-outs, and shifting roles while staying true to your values
• Evolve — Rebuilding identity and purpose post-exit, so you can move into your next chapter with clarity and confidence

My clients are typically first-time founders in the UK, often the sole or majority owner of their business, who care deeply about their team, culture, and legacy — not just valuation. Many feel stuck, uncertain, or conflicted about when and how to exit.

What makes Exit Compass different is that I combine practical business strategy with leadership coaching and lived experience. I understand both the structural and the emotional sides of exit — something most lawyers, brokers, and accountants don’t offer.

Services include:

• Exit Readiness Half-Day and Full-Day Intensives
• Ongoing 1:1 Coaching for founders preparing for or navigating transition
• Bespoke support for post-exit identity and leadership

As a professionally qualified coach and mentor, I hold the ILM Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Executive Coaching & Mentoring and the Senior Practitioner Level Accreditation with the EMCC. I am a Licensed Firework Career Coach and an accredited DISC practitioner.

Exiting a business isn’t just a financial decision — it’s a leadership decision. You don’t have to figure it all out alone, and you don’t need to wait until you’re “ready” to start the conversation.

Let’s make space to think.