In the world of entrepreneurship, starting a business is just the beginning. Scaling it successfully and executing a profitable exit is where the real mastery lies. Few understand this better than Turjo Wadud, the Founder and CEO of 317 Advisory Group. With over two decades of experience and $3 billion in transactions overseen, Turjo has become a trusted advisor for business founders looking to optimize, capitalize, and exit their companies at peak value.
In this exclusive interview, Turjo shares his insights on how to scale a business, increase its valuation, and execute a strategic exit that benefits all stakeholders.
Q: Turjo, you’ve built and exited multiple businesses. What inspired you to focus on helping other founders with their exits?
Turjo Wadud: My journey started early—I was involved in running gas and convenience stores as a teenager and launched my first store at 19. Over the years, I founded and scaled businesses across industries like home entertainment, fitness, finance, gaming, and wholesale fuel distribution.
One thing I realized through my own experiences was that most entrepreneurs focus on growth but neglect the exit strategy. I saw so many founders build great companies but fail to maximize their business’s true value when it was time to sell or transition. That’s why I created 317 Advisory Group—to help business owners not just grow, but strategically position their companies for the best possible exit.
Q: What are the biggest mistakes business owners make when preparing for an exit?
Turjo Wadud: There are three major mistakes I see:
- Not Planning Early Enough – Many founders think about exiting when they’re already burned out or when they need to sell urgently. By then, it’s often too late to maximize value. A strong exit strategy should be built into the business model from day one.
- Failing to Optimize Operations – Buyers and investors look for efficiency, scalability, and predictable cash flow. If your operations are messy or too dependent on you as the founder, your valuation will suffer.
- Not Understanding Valuation Drivers – A business isn’t just worth what the owner thinks; it’s worth what the market is willing to pay. Things like recurring revenue, profitability trends, and competitive advantages play a huge role in determining a company’s sale price.
Q: What’s the first step a business owner should take if they’re thinking about selling?
Turjo Wadud: Start with a valuation assessment. You need to understand your business’s worth and what factors might increase or decrease its market value.
Next, optimize your financials and operations. Reduce inefficiencies, create clear documentation of processes, and ensure your revenue streams are sustainable.
Finally, build relationships with potential buyers early. The best exits happen when a business has multiple interested parties, not when you’re scrambling to find a buyer at the last minute.
Q: Can you share a success story where you helped a business owner achieve a high-value exit?
Turjo Wadud: Absolutely. One of my clients was in the fitness industry—they had built a successful gym franchise but struggled with profitability due to operational inefficiencies.
We worked together to streamline their processes, optimize costs, and package their brand for acquisition. Within 18 months, they went from struggling with cash flow to attracting multiple private equity offers.
Ultimately, they secured an 8-figure exit deal—far beyond what they originally expected. The key was that we focused on making their business more attractive to investors before they even started negotiations.
Q: What advice do you have for entrepreneurs who want to build a business with a high-value exit in mind?
Turjo Wadud:
✅ Think Like an Investor – Don’t just build a business; build an asset. Investors want something that can scale without relying on the founder’s presence.
✅ Build Recurring Revenue – Businesses with predictable, recurring income streams (subscriptions, memberships, contracts) always get higher valuations.
✅ Get the Right Advisors – A strong financial, legal, and strategic advisory team can add millions to your exit valuation. Don’t try to do everything alone.
✅ Plan Your Exit 3-5 Years in Advance – The most successful exits don’t happen overnight. A well-planned exit strategy takes years to execute properly.
Final Thoughts
Exiting a business successfully isn’t just about selling—it’s about positioning your company in the best possible way to attract high-value buyers. Whether you’re a startup founder or a seasoned entrepreneur, the principles of growth, optimization, and strategic planning are critical.
With his extensive experience and hands-on approach, Turjo Wadud continues to help business owners navigate the complexities of scaling and exiting their companies profitably. If you’re thinking about an exit in the future, the time to start planning is now.
