Building a Business of Significance™

Value Acceleration Talks & Workshops for Business Owners

Most business owners spend years building a successful company — but few stop to ask a harder question: Is this business actually building value… or just income?

Building a Business of Significance™ is a speaking and workshop experience designed to help business owners step back, see their business through a different lens, and begin thinking more intentionally about value, readiness, and what comes next.

Grounded in the Value Acceleration Methodology™, this session introduces a smarter way to think about growth, risk, and optionality—without overwhelming owners or turning the conversation into an exit planning seminar.
Build a Business of Significance

The Conversation Business Owners Rarely Get

Jessica McKnight speaking
This talk meets owners where they are—busy, successful, and often stuck in the day-to-day—while challenging them to think more strategically about:

What actually drives business value

Where hidden risk quietly lives

Why many “successful” businesses still aren’t ready for what’s next

How today’s decisions shape tomorrow’s options

It reframes exit planning as what it truly is: a better way to run a business at every stage of ownership.

Who This Is Designed For

This session works especially well for:


Business owner associations and peer groups

Chambers of Commerce and industry organizations

Advisory firms hosting owner-focused events

Leadership teams preparing for growth or transition

Podcasts focused on entrepreneurship, leadership, or legacy

If your audience includes owners asking, “What’s next for me—and for this business?” this topic resonates.

Jessica McKnight speaking
Jessica McKnight speaking

Format & Customization

This experience is designed to be flexible and audience-specific.

Available formats include:

  • Keynote-style talk (30–60 minutes)
  • Interactive workshop (90 minutes to half day)
  • Facilitated discussion or fireside chat
  • Podcast or interview format
Content, pacing, and depth are customized based on:

  • Time available
  • Audience makeup
  • Desired level of interaction
 
No two sessions are delivered the same—and none require prior knowledge of exit planning.

Why Hosts Choose This Session

Hosts consistently choose Building a Business of Significance™ because it:

Sparks meaningful reflection and conversation among owners

Introduces a powerful framework without teaching the full methodology

Feels relevant whether an owner plans to exit in 3 years or 30

Elevates the event beyond tactics into true strategic thinking


Owners don’t leave with “answers.” They leave with better questions—and a desire to go deeper.

Jessica Carney McKnight

About the Speaker

Jessica Carney McKnight is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) and President + CEO of CarneyCo, a strategy-first business transformation firm.

As a Value Advisor, Jessica works with business owners to create clarity, align decisions, and build companies that support both enterprise value and life beyond the business.

Her facilitation style blends strategic insight, real-world experience, and practical perspective—designed to challenge thinking without overwhelming the room.

Let’s Explore What Fits Your Audience

If you’re looking for a speaker who can:

  • Engage business owners without jargon
  • Introduce value acceleration in a compelling, accessible way
  • Leave your audience wanting to continue the conversation

We are excited to learn more about you!

Please provide a little information about yourself and we’ll be in touch soon.

Contact Form Demo (#18)