About NAVIX
If you’re like most business owners you will exit only one time, which means you’ll have questions. And becauseyou only get one shot at exit, you’ll need solid answers.
NAVIX is here to help. Our expert consultants provide advice, guidance, and answers to help you develop a successful exit plan.
Why We Exist
Most business owners spend decades building remarkable companies that create value for their clients, team members, and the broader economy. Yet when it comes time to exit, what should be a milestone is often stressful rather than a celebration.
NAVIX was founded in 2009 to change that. We help business owners achieve financial freedom, preserve their legacy, and exit on their terms.
Our Track Record
Why Work with NAVIX?
Exit planning is our sole focus.
Unlike firms that offer exit planning as one of several services, we specialize exclusively in preparing owners and their companies for successful exit.
You only get one shot at a successful exit.
Most owners go through this process once. We’ve guided hundreds through exit planning and can help you avoid costly mistakes, reduce uncertainty, and move forward with confidence.
We work with your existing advisors.
We don’t replace your accountant, attorney, or other trusted professionals. Instead, we coordinate with them, ensuring everyone is working toward the same objectives, and that any gaps in expertise are addressed.
Our Team
Our team of experienced professionals brings together decades of combined experience in exit planning, investment banking, private equity, wealth management, and related disciplines. We take a hands-on, client-first approach, working closely with each owner we to provide focused attention, practical guidance, and best-in-class support throughout the entire exit planning process.
Sandy Fisher
Marketing Specialist
Alison Gould
Director of Operations
Michael Murray
Lead Advisor
Trey Prophater
Partner
Lyle Simons
Advisor
Lauren Strawn
Analyst
Meisha Thompson
Corporate Accountant
Warren Yancey
Head of Marketing
Our Founder
Patrick Ungashick is the CEO and co-founder of NAVIX. Early in his career as a junior investment banking associate in New York City, Patrick quickly noticed a recurring pattern: successful business owners experiencing unnecessary stress, complexity, and high costs when attempting to exit their companies. Frustrated by the lack of structured guidance available to help business owners and determined to change the status quo, Patrick decided to become a business owner himself and founded NAVIX.
In the years since, Patrick has become a widely recognized expert in the field of exit planning. He is the author of two books designed to help business owners prepare for exit: Dance in the End Zone: The Business Owner’s Exit Planning Playbook and A Tale of Two Owners: Achieving Exit Success Between Business Co-Owners. An award-winning speaker, Patrick has delivered hundreds of workshops on achieving successful exits and speaks to several dozen business groups each year. He has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Financial Week, among many other news and media outlets.
Outside of his exit planning work, Patrick is a partner in three additional companies, including a private equity, investment banking, and wealth management firm. An avid history buff with a passion for executive development, he is also the author of A Day for Leadership: Business Insights for Today’s Executives and Teams from the D-Day Battle, an Amazon best-seller and award-winning title that mines a number of relevant lessons from history’s greatest military operation.
Patrick graduated from Georgetown University. He has three boys, and lives with his wife, Maggie, on Marco Island, Florida.
Hear From Our Leaders
Want to learn more about our approach? Three members of our leadership team share their perspective on exit planning and what it's like to work with NAVIX.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of business owners does NAVIX work with?
Do you only help business owners who are ready to sell immediately?
No. In fact, we strongly discourage waiting to contact us until a sale is imminent. The best time to begin exit planning is years before your desired exit date. The earlier you begin, the more time you will have to address issues that could threaten a sale, strengthen operations, and maximize your business’s valuation. If you already have a buyer identified and closing is imminent, we’re likely not the right fit, as there is a limited runway to improve conditions.
Who is NAVIX not a good fit for?
We believe in being transparent about where we add the most value. NAVIX may not be the right fit for your needs if:
- Your business is a non-profit or generates under $1M in EBITDA (the economics may not justify our engagement model)
- Your business is an enterprise-level company generating over $25M in EBITDA with in-house resources to assist with exit planning
- You already have a buyer lined up and have a signed letter of intent (most of our work takes place before this point)
- You want to handle the exit planning entirely on your own without outside guidance
If you’re unsure whether NAVIX is right for your situation, we encourage you to schedule a complimentary consultation so we can discuss your specific needs. If we’re not the right partners, we’ll let you know and may be able to refer you to a resource better suited for your needs.
When should I start working with NAVIX?
We typically recommend at least five years before your target exit date as an ideal starting point. This timeframe allows you to prepare both yourself and the business for a successful transition. That said, if you are already less than five years away from an exit, the next best time to start is now. Even owners who plan to work for another decade or more may benefit from a consultation with us to understand what steps can be taken now to set the stage for a productive exit down the line.
What does a typical NAVIX engagement look like?
While we have helped with over 500 exits, no two were exactly alike. Every engagement is different because every owner’s situation and goals are different. That said, there are commonalities.
Every engagement involves a dedicated NAVIX exit planning advisor who will become your primary point of contact. We will start by assessing how ready your business is for exit using our proprietary tools, then identify what needs to be accomplished between now and your target date. You can then expect regular meetings with your advisor and exit planning team to work through key issues and ensure we are maintaining momentum, working together until and even beyond an eventual transfer of ownership.
How does NAVIX work with my existing advisors?
Think of NAVIX as the quarterback of your exit planning team, coordinating everyone toward the common goal of your successful exit. Generally, this team consists of your accountant, attorney, financial advisor, and other trusted advisors. We identify gaps and help fill them when needed so that nothing falls through the cracks and you have all the expertise necessary at your disposal.
What’s the difference between NAVIX and an M&A advisor?
M&A advisors (also referred to as investment bankers or business brokers) focus narrowly on the transaction itself. They market your business, find buyers, and negotiate the deal, typically in a 6-12 month timeframe. NAVIX focuses on everything that needs to happen before the transaction to maximize your outcome. We help you build value, execute tax strategies, prepare your leadership team, and find the right partners to increase your company’s valuation and your net sale price, while positioning the business to continue to thrive without you.
What makes NAVIX different from other exit planning firms?
There are three key aspects that set us apart from other firms. First, exit planning is all we do. It’s not a supplemental service that we sometimes dabble in, but rather our singular focus. This means we go deeper and catch issues others may miss. Second, we have a long track record of achieving exit success. Since 2009, we’ve guided over 500 business owners through the exit planning process and achieved over $3.5 billion in combined value. All our team members bring extensive experience and collectively provide you with access to a broad range of expertise. Third, we’ve developed a number of proprietary tools to assess the state of your business, forecast its value, and ultimately provide structure and actionable insights throughout your journey. Many firms claim to do exit planning. We’ve built our entire business around it.
How does NAVIX charge for its services?
Because everyone’s exit goals and needs are different, our pricing is customized based on the complexity of your situation and your exit timeline. During our initial consultation, we’ll discuss your specific needs and be able to provide transparent pricing. Our goal is to deliver a return on investment that far exceeds our fees through increased business value and better exit outcomes. In many cases, what we save our clients in transaction fees alone more than pays for our services.
Get Clarity on Your Exit Options
You don’t need to be ready to exit your business to have a productive conversation. A complimentary, confidential consultation is a chance to talk through your business goals, challenges, and long-term road map with an experienced exit planning advisor.
There’s no pressure and no obligation. If NAVIX isn’t the right fit, we’ll tell you and help point you in the right direction.