⭐ 1,000+ NZ SMEs guided
⭐ Results seen in 90–180 days
⭐ Owners regain up to 10–20 hours/week
⭐ Businesses prepare for scalable growth or succession
From Burnout to a Well-Planned Exit
Step Out | Succession & Exit
Keith and Toni Paton’s journey shows why preparation matters more than timing when it comes to exiting a business.
After 30 years running a successful joinery operation, they felt the signs many owners recognise: burnout, long hours, and a growing desire to slow down and enjoy life beyond the business.
They believed the business was ready to sell. It wasn’t.
As many owners discover, a good business isn’t automatically a sale-ready business. After meeting BSP Advisor Phil Wicks, the gaps became clear: systems needed tightening, owner dependency reduced, and the business prepared so someone else could confidently step in.
That preparation unlocked an unexpected STEP OUT opportunity.
Jamie, one of their joiners, was ready to buy the business.
With the right structure in place, the result was a smooth, fair succession, one where everyone won.
Today, Keith and Toni are retired, travelling, and enjoying the life they worked hard to build.
Their reminder to other owners:
The best time to prepare your business for exit was yesterday.
👉 Read their full STEP OUT journey here.
The biggest cost in business isn’t what you spend.
It’s the profit unearned, the time unrecovered, and the value left on the table.
Here’s how BSP advisors helped owners step out of overwhelm, create stronger businesses, and get their lives back.
Powdercoating NZ
Chris Morris
20 Years of Stress Resolved with One Clear Plan
A busy Cambridge operation running at full capacity, often overwhelmed by delivery deadlines, staff pressure, and the challenge of scaling sustainably.
After STEP:
Crystal-clear business plan
Strong leadership culture
Turnover increaed significantly
"One of the best decisions we've made in 20 years. Our advisor helped us build the systems and clarity we needed."
— Chris Morris, Powdercoating NZ
Pope Electrical
Frank Pope
From No Business Plan to a Scalable Future
A third-generation family business that had never used a business plan or metrics to measure performance. Facing uncertainty around structure, growth, and financial planning.
After STEP:
Metrics + reporting implemented
Clear business plan created
Direction and growth regained
"The fees are proving to be a great investment."
— Frank Pope, Pope Electrical
Laser Plumbing, Matamata
Tony & Miriam
Breaking through Plateaud Growth
Sales had levelled off and profit was leaking due to stock control and process issues.
After STEP:
Plugged profit leaks
Leadership structure strengthened
Meaningful, measurable growth
"Our advisor helped us produce very real results in both business growth and profit margins."
— Tony & Miriam, Laser Plumbing Matamata
Keith Paton
Keith Paton Joinery, Cambridge
"Going through the STEP Up Programme completely changed the direction of our business. When we first met BSP, we were thinking about selling, but the business wasn't really ready, we would've accepted a lower price just to move on. Our advisor encouraged us to stay on, improve our systems, and lift profitability. Within a a year the business was in much better shape, and we were able to sell to one of our long-time employees for a far better price. It was a great outcome all round."
Frank Pope
Pope Electrical, Papamoa
"Working with Business Success Partners and their STEP Philosophy has completely transformed Pope Electrical. For the first time in our 60-year history, we have clear financials, measurable results, and a solid plan for growth — plus a consultant we can bounce ideas off and get constructive feedback. Our turnover and staff productivity have increased, and I finally have more time to spend with my family — I can't recommend them enough!"
Alanna Aarts
Thoroughbred Horse Floats & Thoroughbred Engineering, Auckland
"Before working with BSP Advisory, we knew we had potential — but we weren't operating at our best. We needed stronger systems and clearer direction for the future. Our advisor helped us focus on building a great team, developing strong leadership, and creating a culture where everyone could thrive. Step by step, we implemented changes that transformed how the business runs. Now, we're in a better, stronger position than we've ever been before. We have the freedom to step back, knowing we can delegate with complete trust. We're especially proud that our son has joined the business — succession planning has become a reality, not just a distant goal. The journey with BSP has been about more than growth — it's been about building something sustainable for the next generation"
Tony Wright
Laser Plumbing Matamata
"Working with BSP transformed our business. With a truly hands-on advisor, we set sharp goals, built stronger leadership, closed profit leaks, and executed with discipline. Our whole team was engaged, ideas were sharpened, and results followed. Measurable growth and higher margins. After Step Up and Step Back, we confidently stepped out with a very successful sale. Highly recommend for SMEs."
Chris Morris
Powdercoating NZ, Waikato
"We have now been working in collaboration with our Advisor from BSP for 6 years. This has been one of the best decisions we have ever made in the nearly twenty-year history of our business. We now have a crystal-clear vision and solid business plan in place and the business has increased turnover significantly in the last financial year."
Daniel te Kaat
Slaughterhaus, Christchurch
"Since working with BSP, the systems we have put into place have let me take control of the business, rather than it take control of me. We've been able to increase revenue and increase profit. BSP was able to establish the gaps in my knowledge and the problems in my business very quickly and explain those to me in a way that was very easy for me to pick up and gave me the ability to be confident in the admin/management side of the business."
Great businesses don’t happen by accident. They are built with clarity.
See how STEP can help your business grow, scale, or prepare for transition just like the owners above.
