What Freedom Really Looks Like (and Why It Doubles Firm Value)

Next month, my wife and I will be boarding a plane for our next trip. 

It will be nearly a month away from home and work. 

It’ll be our third international trip in the last three years, something I never imagined back when I was buried in the day-to-day grind of running a CPA firm. 

This trip will take us across five countries. 

We’ll start in London for my cousin’s daughter’s wedding, a chance to reconnect with family and celebrate life. 

Then we’ll head to Bhuj, India. It’s the place where my ancestors lived before migrating to Kenya in the late 1800s. It’s a deeply personal stop for me, a chance to walk the same streets they did generations ago. 

From there, we’ll board an 11-day Mediterranean cruise through Italy, France, and Greece, a bucket-list experience we’ve talked about for years. 

And finally, we’ll end in Jordan to visit an old college friend and explore the ancient city of Petra before returning home just in time for Thanksgiving. 

Here’s the remarkable part: 

I’ll be gone for nearly a month… and my firm will run smoothly without me. 

Building a Firm That Doesn’t Rely on You 

That freedom didn’t happen by accident. 

Years ago, I made a conscious decision to design my firm, Straight Talk CPAs to run without me at the center of everything. 

That meant: 

• Building a team that could operate independently 
• Focusing on recurring, profitable client work (not one-off engagements) 
• Creating systems and technology that made everything flow seamlessly 
• And most importantly — learning to let go and trust my team to take ownership 

The result? 

A firm that not only runs well when I’m away, but one that’s worth far more because it’s not dependent on me. 

Why It Matters for You 

Here’s the truth: 

Firms that aren’t owner-dependent, have strong recurring revenue, and serve profitable clients through efficient systems can command valuations up to twice the industry norm. 

Think of it this way: 

A traditional firm generating $1M in revenue might sell for around 1x revenue — about $1M. 

But that same firm with a solid team, recurring revenue base, and minimal owner dependency could easily command 1.8x or even 2x. 

That’s the difference between walking away with $1M or $2M and peace of mind knowing your clients and team are taken care of. 

Freedom and Valuation Go Hand in Hand 

The ability to travel freely without worrying about emails, deadlines, or client fires isn’t just a lifestyle benefit. 

It’s proof that your firm is structured for long-term value. 

That’s exactly what I’ll be teaching in my upcoming live session: 

The Exit Readiness Workshopᵀᴹ: How to Double Your Firm’s Valuation — and Exit on Your Terms 

Because ultimately, freedom and value come from the same source — a business that’s built to thrive without you at the center. 

If you’ve ever wondered how to create a firm that runs without you — and earns more because of it — you’ll want to join us. 

Link to register for The Exit Readiness Workshopᵀᴹ