Bio
Julie Keyes is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) and the founder of KeyeStrategies, LLC in Minneapolis, MN specializing in exit and transition consulting. Julie has been an entrepreneur most of her life. As the founder and operator of several companies, she understands the responsibilities of ownership and the struggles that come with being an owner.
She works with business owners who seek to understand and maximize their exit and critical transition options and is actively involved with the Exit Planning Institute, as a faculty and Leadership Council member. She is also the recipient of EPI’s “Thought Leader of Year” in 2017 and 2022, and nominee for “Exit Planner of the Year” in 2023. Julie is also the recipient of the "Top Women in Finance" award, given by Finance & Commerce in Minneapolis.
In 2021, Julie released the 2nd Edition of “Poised for Exit” a book which helps owners of privately held companies navigate the process of business exit. Her weekly podcast, also called “Poised for Exit”, provides content relevant to business owners and advisors alike, and can be found on all major podcast platforms as well as a local MN radio station, KRWC. Julie's travels include a wide range of speaking and teaching engagements to business owners and advisors primarily on the topics of exit planning and how to grow enterprise value in a business.
On a personal note, Julie and her husband Shaun have 8 children and 11 grandchildren. She’s also active in her parish and in the business community.
