About
About Julie
KeyeStrategies is an advisory firm for entrepreneurs looking to grow and improve their business, while also providing Exit Planning and Transition services for companies between $5-30M in annual revenue. The firm’s mission is to help business owners increase enterprise value and prepare the owner and the business for a future exit. Our tagline says it all… “Build enterprise value today, so you can exit on your own terms tomorrow”.
Julie Keyes is the founder and owner of KeyeStrategies, LLC and has been an entrepreneur the majority of her life. As the founder and operator of several companies, she understands what keeps an owner up at night and the balancing act required to work both ‘in’ and ‘on’ the business. Having outside perspective and mentoring made all the difference for her, as she spent years growing and improving her companies before selling and becoming a business adviser in 2011.
As a Certified Exit Planning Adviser and Value Growth Adviser, she works with business owners who seek to understand and maximize their exit and critical transition options. She is the President Emeritus of the Exit Planning Institute Twin Cities Metro Area Chapter (2016-2020) and a faculty member for their CEPA Program. In addition, Julie was awarded EPI’s 2017 and 2022 “Thought Leader of Year”. Her speaking engagements bring her across the country delivering her exit planning expertise to owner and adviser groups alike.
When she’s not advising business owners and advisers, you can find her doing something fun outdoors with her family. She and her husband, Shaun have 8 children and spend as much time with them and their grandchildren as possible.
Julie is now also an author, and she recently released her first book “Poised for Exit: A Woman Entrepreneur’s Guide to Business Transition”. Find more details about her book and where to purchase it by clicking below.



Core Values
- Never Give Up
- Live with Passion and Belief
- Go the Extra Mile
- Do Better, Be Better
- Work Hard, Play Hard
Ready to Start Exit Planning?
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about KeyeStrategies’ story and capabilities. Selling your business is a life-changing decision, and you only have one chance to build the right exit plan before your opportunity to sell arrives. Whether it’s our self-paced Business Transition Readiness Course, Value Acceleration Program, or a long-term strategic partnership, we’re ready to help you grow business value and build an exit strategy business plan that will seal the sale.
About Heather
Heather Keyes is the Administrative Marketing Assistant at KeyeStrategies, and also Julie’s youngest daughter. Heather has been working in the marketing department of KeyeStrategies since 2018. She graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2019 with a Marketing B.B.A. degree.
Heather is the company’s Brand, Social Media and Event Planning manager. She organizes the online workshops and makes sure Julie’s communications, website and database are always optimized and up to date. Heather is also the marketing mastermind behind the Poised for Exit Podcast Show.

2017 and 2022 EPI
Leader of the Year

President Emeritus of the Twin Cities Chapter of EPI

Member of NAWBO

A Track Record of Success
- Business consulting for both small and large organizations
- Strategic planning and implementation to organize and maximize profitability
- Professional speaking and presentations
- Business owner guidance, accountability and coaching for success
- Exit planning and transitional advising for business owners
Awards & Commendations
- EPI Thought Leader of the Year 2017 and 2022
- President of the Twin Cities Chapter of the Exit Planning Institute (2016-2020)
- EPI Faculty Member
- CEPA 2015
- AdviCoach of the Year 2013 and 2014
