The Exit Planning Institute (EPI), a leading authority on exit planning for advisors, business consultants, and business owners, has announced a strategic partnership with SkillStacked Strategies. The collaboration, revealed on September 18, 2026, positions SkillStacked as an Alliance Partner within EPI's Strategic Alliances program, a network of trusted collaborators that support advisor development, member engagement, and the broader EPI community.
This partnership matters because it addresses a critical gap in the exit planning industry: the need for specialized expertise without the overhead of expanding internal staff. SkillStacked Strategies offers advisors an on-demand team of specialists through its bespoke Fractional Family Offices, covering areas such as finance, operations, marketing, artificial intelligence, estate planning, and personal planning. By integrating these services, EPI aims to equip its Certified Exit Planning Advisors (CEPAs) with the resources to deliver comprehensive Value Acceleration—a holistic approach to preparing businesses for successful transitions.
Josh Koza, director of strategic relationships at EPI, emphasized the natural fit of the partnership, noting, "Skylar's background as a CEPA gives him a firsthand understanding of what advisors need to deliver Value Acceleration well, and that shared foundation makes this partnership a natural fit for our community." Skylar Dean, founder of SkillStacked, is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor and financial planner who created the firm to serve as a fractional advisory "bench" of specialists for financial professionals working with main street business owners. Dean explained, "Our goal is to work with CEPAs on both sides of our business—some as the specialists that we connect with financial advisors and others as advisors who are looking for a team of experts to support their clients."
The implications of this alliance extend beyond simple resource sharing. For EPI, it reinforces its commitment to providing advisors with cutting-edge tools and expertise, potentially increasing the value proposition of the CEPA credential. For advisors, it means access to a scalable solution for delivering advanced planning services, which can lead to stronger client relationships and more successful exits. For business owners, particularly those on Main Street, it could translate into better-prepared transitions and improved outcomes.
EPI's Strategic Alliances program is designed to foster collaboration through educational content, programming, events, and other initiatives. By welcoming SkillStacked, EPI expands its ecosystem of partners dedicated to navigating the complexities of exit planning. Advisors and business owners interested in learning more about EPI's Strategic Alliances can visit the EPI website. Additionally, EPI can be followed on LinkedIn for updates.
Founded in 2005, EPI has served the educational and resource needs of professional business advisors, and its CEPA credential program is the most widely endorsed professional exit planning program globally. This partnership with SkillStacked Strategies underscores EPI's ongoing efforts to evolve and support the advisor community in an ever-changing business landscape.
