Kelly Finnell

What if you could exit your business and still leave a legacy that lasts for generations?

Kelly Finnell has spent over four decades guiding business owners through one of the most important—and often emotional—decisions of their lives: how to exit their company without losing what they’ve built. As one of the nation's foremost experts on Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), Kelly has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs turn employees into owners, preserving company culture while securing financial futures.

He’s not just a consultant—he’s a strategist, a teacher, and a legacy builder. Kelly is the author of The ESOP Coach, a definitive guide to using ESOPs as a succession planning tool. His advice has reached international stages, having spoken at over 300 events from the U.S. to London and Sydney.

What makes Kelly’s approach different is that it’s not just about numbers—it’s about people. His work focuses on aligning the goals of founders with the long-term health of their companies and the futures of the people who helped build them.

If you think succession is only about selling or that ownership ends at retirement, this conversation might just change how you see the future of business.