Learn about how The Exceptional Plan grew from an idea to a global company on a mission to change how businesses are started, scaled, and exited. From a single question asked by an 8-year-old entrepreneur to a full lifecycle business consulting partner serving clients across 65 countries.
Where it began
I started my journey as an entrepreneur when I was just 8 years old.
Through my experience, I witnessed first-hand how difficult it is to be an entrepreneur and business owner in today's world. Not only is it hard, but often times services geared towards entrepreneurs and small business owners are overlooked. And I wondered, why?
The Exceptional Plan started when I decided that enough was enough. Over 5 million businesses are started every year, and small businesses account for 99% of the job market and 44% of the US economy. These are not small numbers. These are the people who build communities, create jobs, and drive the economy forward.
Our services are meant to help entrepreneurs and business owners live the lives they have dreamed of by breaking down barriers to funding, identifying unique places in the market, and creating more exceptional businesses.
We built The Exceptional Plan to be the partner every business owner deserves but rarely finds. Not a one-time vendor. Not a template. A full lifecycle business consulting partner that walks with you from your first business plan to your eventual exit.
Let's make your dream a reality.
The Exceptional Plan was founded in Wichita, Kansas, but our impact reaches far beyond the Midwest. Today, we serve entrepreneurs and business owners in over 65 countries across every continent. From first-time founders launching from their kitchen tables to established companies preparing for acquisition, we meet our clients wherever they are.
Our global reach gives us something most business consulting firms cannot offer: pattern recognition across industries, markets, and economies. We have seen what works in Lagos, London, and Los Angeles. That cross-market perspective strengthens every business plan, every pitch deck, and every financial forecast we build.
Whether you need help starting your business, raising capital, or planning your exit strategy, The Exceptional Plan brings the same hands-on partnership and deep expertise to every engagement, no matter where in the world you are building.
"The Exceptional Plan doesn't treat clients like transactions. They make you feel like part of the team, with care, pride, and true collaboration in every detail."
"I'd give more stars if I could. The Exceptional Plan took my idea and turned it into the best business plan my banker had ever seen. They guided me with care, cheered me on, and treated me like a friend. The best investment I've made in my business."
"Available day or night, The Exceptional Plan team delivers business plans and financials that consistently earn praise from reviewers including investors. Their quick turnaround and attention to detail make them a trusted ongoing partner."
About The Exceptional Plan.
The Exceptional Plan was created because entrepreneurs and small business owners deserve better. Over 5 million businesses are started every year, and small businesses account for 99% of the job market and 44% of the US economy. Despite those numbers, most services designed for entrepreneurs are fragmented, expensive, or built for corporations.
Founder Kaylee Philbrick-Theuerkauf started her first business at age 8 and experienced those gaps firsthand. The Exceptional Plan was built to be the full lifecycle business consulting partner every entrepreneur deserves but rarely finds.
No. While business plans are one of our most recognized services, The Exceptional Plan is a full lifecycle consulting firm. We cover everything from feasibility studies and pitch decks to accounting, tax strategy, marketing, fractional CFO services, and exit planning.
Our three program suites, Exceptional Start, Exceptional Scale, and Exceptional Exit, are designed to walk with you from your first idea through your eventual transition or sale.
Templates give you a fill-in-the-blank document. We build a living strategic tool. Every business plan we create includes original market research, custom financial projections, competitive analysis, and a narrative tailored to your specific audience, whether that is a lender, an investor, or your own leadership team.
Our plans are built to the standards that banks, SBA lenders, and investors expect. That is why we maintain a 100% SBA approval rate across every SBA business plan we have written.
The Exceptional Plan has a 100% SBA approval rate. Every SBA business plan we have submitted has been approved. We achieve this by building plans that meet lender requirements before they reach the underwriter's desk.
Our team understands what SBA lenders look for because we have worked with dozens of lending institutions. We pair every SBA plan with financial projections that are defensible, realistic, and formatted the way banks want to see them.
Yes. Our fractional CFO service gives you executive-level financial leadership without the cost of a full-time hire. This includes financial planning and analysis, cash flow management, fundraising support, and strategic financial guidance.
For businesses preparing for a raise, we build investor-ready financial models. For businesses preparing for sale, we build the financial documentation that buyers and their diligence teams require. This pairs directly with our data room preparation service.
Yes. Our marketing services cover strategy, execution, and measurement. This includes brand strategy, content marketing, social media, paid advertising, and full marketing audits.
We also build marketing into your broader growth plan so your marketing spend ties directly to revenue goals and business milestones, not vanity metrics.
The Marketplace Method is The Exceptional Plan's proprietary framework for building businesses that are not just profitable but exceptional. It is the methodology behind every engagement, from startup business plans to exit strategies.
The method focuses on identifying unique market positions, building defensible competitive advantages, and creating businesses that attract customers, investors, and acquirers. It is the thread that connects our strategic advisory work across the entire lifecycle.
Yes. Exit planning is one of our core services. We help business owners prepare for sale, succession, or transition with a clear strategy that maximizes value. This includes business valuation, M&A preparation, data room setup, and succession planning.
Because we often work with clients from startup through exit, we know the full financial and operational history. That continuity makes the exit process smoother and more profitable than starting fresh with a broker who has never seen your books.
We work with entrepreneurs and business owners at every stage, from pre-revenue founders with an idea to established businesses generating millions in revenue. Our clients include first-time founders, serial entrepreneurs, family businesses, franchise owners, and companies preparing for acquisition.
With over 1,000 clients across 65+ countries, we have worked with businesses in virtually every industry and market. Whether you are local to Wichita or building from another continent, we bring the same partnership and expertise to every engagement.
We do not limit ourselves to one industry. Our experience spans healthcare, technology, real estate, food and beverage, e-commerce, professional services, manufacturing, construction, retail, and dozens more. That cross-industry perspective is one of the advantages of working with a global firm.
Our feasibility studies and business plans include industry-specific research tailored to your exact market. We do not recycle templates across verticals. Every plan is built from original research.
Everything starts with a free consultation. We learn about your business, your goals, and where you are in the lifecycle. From there, we recommend the services or program that fits your needs and timeline.
Once we kick off, you get a dedicated team, clear milestones, and regular communication throughout the engagement. Whether it is a single pitch deck or a full Exceptional Start program, we treat every engagement as a partnership, not a transaction. Book your free consultation to get started.
Have a question that is not listed here? We would love to hear from you.
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Your first conversation is free. Tell us about your business, where you are, and where you want to go. The Exceptional Plan will show you the clearest path to get there.
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