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Empowering Business Owners to Exit with
Confidence, Clarity, and Legacy

At the Retiring Business Owner Association (RBOA), we believe your exit should be the most strategic — not the most stressful — decision of your career.

We’re a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to help founders like you turn your life’s work into lasting wealth, a proud legacy, and a secure future. No commissions. No hidden agenda. Just expert-backed guidance, support, and tools built for business owners ready to retire on their terms.

Why We Exist

Most owners only sell once — and sadly, most get it wrong.

They leave 30–50% of their company’s value on the table because they:

  • Don’t know how to value their business properly
  • Get stuck working in the business instead of on it
  • Don’t build systems that survive without them

We exist to change that.

Whether you run a service, product, or professional business — clear exit guidance is rare, and bad advice is common. We’re here to change that.

Our Vision

To become the most trusted nonprofit resource for retiring business owners in the U.S., helping thousands of founders transition with confidence — and keep more of what they built.

Meet Our Founder: Joe Lau

Joe Lau is a successful entrepreneur and investor who built and sold three companies — and made painful mistakes in each one.

“Most business owners only get one shot at an exit. I was lucky enough to have three — and I still left money on the table.”

  • Exit 1: Found the buyer himself, but his broker still took a commission. Poor seller protections meant the buyer defaulted with no recourse.
  • Exit 2: Missed the peak. Business wasn’t structured for valuation, and key add-backs were discredited.
  • Exit 3: One misunderstood legal word nearly cost six figures in taxes. He fought it — and won — but not without stress and cost.

Now, as an active investor who’s reviewed hundreds of deals, Joe sees the same issues repeat — great businesses undervalued, not because of performance, but because of what owners don’t know.

That’s why he started RBOA: to help others avoid regret and exit proud.

Joe lives in Miami with his wife Leslie and their two daughters. His life is rooted in purpose, gratitude, and helping others get it right the first time.

What We Believe

You deserve to understand your exit options

You shouldn’t be rushed or pressured into a lowball offer.

Your exit should reflect the true value of what you built.

With the right plan, tools, and support — we believe any owner can exit strong.

Our 3 Exit Readiness Pillars

To help owners maximize their exit value, we focus on 3 core areas:

✨ Diversify Revenue

Make your business more resilient — and more attractive to buyers.

We help owners:

  • Add recurring revenue (e.g., memberships)
  • Bundle high-margin services
  • Expand into new markets or verticals

💸 Optimize Profitt

Your top line matters — but your bottom line sells.

We show you how to:

  • Improve margins
  • Eliminate waste
  • Structure pricing for long-term profitability

⚖️ Build Transferable Value

Buyers want businesses that run without you.

We help you:

  • Build systems, SOPs, and team infrastructure
  • Protect IP and key vendor relationships
  • Set up leadership that ensures continuity

These aren’t theories. They’re battle-tested strategies that work — no matter the market.

How We Help

🧰 Exit-Ready Toolkit (Free)

A self-paced suite of tools to help you:

Evaluate your business

Spot valuation gaps

Start fixing what buyers 
care about

Exit Readiness Scorecard

Deal Math Tool

SOP + Margin Templates

90-Day Exit Plan

No Cost. No fluff. Just immediate clarity.

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Our Promise

We don’t take a cut of your sale.

We’re not brokers. We’re not investors.

We’re here to serve — not to sell.

Whether you want to walk away fully or transition gradually, we’ll help you get Exit Ready — and do it right the first time.