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. This 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 and member engagement.
The partnership matters because it addresses a critical need in the exit planning industry: access to specialized expertise without the overhead of expanding internal teams. SkillStacked Strategies provides advisors with 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. This model allows advisors to deliver advanced planning services efficiently, which is particularly valuable for those working with main street business owners who require tailored, multidisciplinary support.
Josh Koza, director of strategic relationships at EPI, emphasized the natural fit of the partnership: "We are excited to welcome CEPA-founded SkillStacked as a member of our Alliance Partners. 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." This highlights how SkillStacked's founder, Skylar Dean, leverages his experience as a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) to align with EPI's mission.
Skylar Dean, founder of SkillStacked, explained the motivation behind the company: "As a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) and financial planner, I founded SkillStacked to serve as a fractional advisory 'bench' of specialists for financial professionals working with main street business owners. 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." This dual approach strengthens the ecosystem by enabling CEPAs to either join SkillStacked's network or utilize its services, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.
The implications of this partnership extend beyond mere resource sharing. By integrating SkillStacked's fractional specialists, EPI aims to enhance the quality and depth of exit planning services available to business owners. Advisors can now offer more comprehensive solutions, potentially increasing the value of businesses being sold and improving outcomes for owners. Moreover, this alliance underscores the growing trend of fractional and specialized advisory services in the financial planning sector, where flexibility and expertise are paramount.
EPI's Strategic Alliances program facilitates educational content, programming, events, and collaboration among members, providing valuable resources to navigate the exit planning process. For those interested in learning more about EPI's Strategic Alliances, further information is available on the EPI website. Additionally, EPI can be followed on LinkedIn for updates.
Founded in 2005, EPI serves the educational and resource needs of professional business advisors. Its CEPA credential program is the most widely endorsed professional exit planning program globally, equipping advisors with the content, tools, and training to engage business owners and become their most valued advisors. This partnership with SkillStacked reinforces EPI's commitment to advancing the exit planning profession and supporting advisors in delivering exceptional value.
