About the Author

James Waters

Founder, XIT Matters · Author of Exit Matters; exited founder of Performance Matters

James founded XIT Matters after exiting Performance Matters and writing Exit Matters. He builds the valuation engine that turns institutional FCFF, FCFE, and EV/EBITDA techniques into a tool any owner can use in 10 minutes.

Recent Resources by James

Industry Calculator
Valuation Calculator for Contracting Businesses (Free 2026 Guide)

Use a valuation calculator for contracting businesses on FCFF, FCFE, and EV/EBITDA — multiples 2.5×–5.5× with service mix, bonding, and GC concentration sliders. Free during beta.

Industry Calculator
Valuation Calculator for Fitness Studios (Free 2026 Guide)

Use a valuation calculator for fitness studios on FCFF, FCFE, and EV/EBITDA — multiples from 2.0× to 4.5× with membership mix, owner-hours, and hybrid-revenue sliders. Free during beta.

Industry Calculator
Valuation Calculator for Landscaping Businesses (Free 2026 Guide)

Use a valuation calculator for landscaping businesses on FCFF, FCFE, and EV/EBITDA — multiples from 2.5× to 6.0× with maintenance-mix, fleet, and seasonality sliders. Free during beta.

Industry Calculator
Valuation Calculator for Agency Owners (Free 2026 Guide)

Use a valuation calculator for agency owners on FCFF, FCFE, and EV/EBITDA — agency multiples 2.5×–6.5× with retainer mix, rainmaker, and client concentration sliders. Free during beta.

Industry Calculator
Valuation Calculator for Consulting Firms (Free 2026 Guide)

Use a valuation calculator for consulting firms on FCFF, FCFE, and EV/EBITDA — multiples 2.5×–5.5× with IP monetization, founder delivery, and renewal sliders. Free during beta.

Industry Calculator
Valuation Calculator for E-Commerce Stores (Free 2026 Guide)

Use a valuation calculator for e-commerce stores on FCFF, FCFE, and EV/EBITDA — multiples from 2.0× to 5.5× with repeat-customer, channel-mix, and inventory sliders. Free during beta.

Industry Calculator
Valuation Calculator for Manufacturing Businesses (Free 2026 Guide)

Use a valuation calculator for manufacturing businesses on FCFF, FCFE, and EV/EBITDA — multiples 3.0×–7.0× with capex backlog, customer concentration, and specialty market sliders. Free during beta.

How To Value
How to Value a Contracting Business (2026 Owner's Guide)

Learn how to value a contracting business using FCFF, FCFE, and EV/EBITDA — with service contract normalization, bonding capacity, and the 2.5×–5.5× multiple band explained.

How To Value
How to Value a Fitness Business (2026 Owner's Guide)

Learn how to value a fitness business using FCFF, FCFE, and EV/EBITDA — with membership revenue normalization, multi-unit economics, and the 2.0×–4.5× multiple band explained.

How To Value
How to Value a Healthcare Business (2026 Owner's Guide)

Learn how to value a healthcare business using FCFF, FCFE, and EV/EBITDA — with provider mix normalization, reimbursement risk, and the 4.0×–9.0× multiple band explained.

How To Value
How to Value a Landscaping Business (2026 Owner's Guide)

Learn how to value a landscaping business using FCFF, FCFE, and EV/EBITDA — with recurring contract normalization, fleet capex, and the 2.5×–6.0× multiple band explained.

How To Value
How to Value a Retail Business (2026 Owner's Guide)

Learn how to value a retail business using FCFF, FCFE, and EV/EBITDA — with inventory normalization, omni-channel mix, and the 1.8×–4.0× multiple band explained.

How To Value
How to Value an Agency Business (Step-by-Step Guide for 2026)

Learn how to value an agency business using FCFF, FCFE, and EV/EBITDA. Agency multiples run 2.5×–6.5× EBITDA — retainer mix and owner dependency move you within the band.

How To Value
How to Value a Consulting Business: The Three-Method Guide for Owners (2026)

Learn how to value a consulting business using FCFF, FCFE, and EV/EBITDA on the 2.5×–5.5× consulting band — with steps for normalizing founder billing and modeling the productization premium.

How To Value
How to Value a Manufacturing Business (2026 Owner's Guide)

Learn how to value a manufacturing business using FCFF, FCFE, and EV/EBITDA — with capex normalization, working capital intensity, and the 3.0×–7.0× multiple band explained.

How To Value
How to Value a Restaurant Business (Step-by-Step 2026 Guide)

Learn how to value a restaurant business using FCFF, FCFE, and EV/EBITDA — with restaurant multiples 1.8×–4.0×, lease risk, owner dependency, and a blended view.

How To Value
How to Value a SaaS Business: Step-by-Step Framework (2026)

Learn exactly how to value a SaaS business using FCFF, FCFE, and EV/EBITDA — plus the Exit Matters Blended View. Covers ARR normalization, NRR, churn, and real multiple bands.

How To Value
How to Get an Accurate Business Valuation Fast (Free) in 2026

Learn how to get an accurate business valuation fast (free) — FCFF + FCFE + EV/EBITDA blended in 10 minutes. Institutional methodology, not a revenue-multiple guess.

Best Tool
Best Free Tool to Prepare for a Business Exit (2026 Seller Guide)

Find the best free tool to prepare for a business exit — seller-weighted FCFF + FCFE + EV/EBITDA, scenario modeling, and walk-away math. No credit card during beta.

Scenario Planning
Best Tool for Business Owners to Run "What If" Scenarios (2026)

Need the best tool for business owners to run "what if" scenarios? Model price, hires, debt, and exit timing with FCFF + FCFE + EV/EBITDA recalculation — free during beta.

Best Tool
Best Valuation Tool for Raising Capital in 2026 (Free FCFE Focus)

Find the best valuation tool for raising capital — FCFE-weighted FCFF + FCFE + EV/EBITDA blends, dilution math, and scenario modeling for term sheets. Free during beta.

Industry Calculator
Valuation Calculator for Restaurant Owners (Free 2026 Guide)

Use a valuation calculator for restaurant owners built on FCFF + FCFE + EV/EBITDA — restaurant multiples 1.8×–4.0×, lease risk, and owner-dependency sliders. Free during beta.

Scenario Planning
Best AI Scenario Planning Tool for Business Owners in 2026

Find the best AI scenario planning tool for business owners — plain-English what-if questions, FCFF + FCFE + EV/EBITDA recalculation, and persona-weighted blends. Free during beta.

Best Tool
Best Business Valuation App for Consultants in 2026

Compare the best business valuation app for consultants — boutique firm multiples (2.5×–5.5× EBITDA), client-ready outputs, and FCFF + FCFE + EV/EBITDA blends. Free during beta.

Best Tool
Best Exit Valuation Tool for Agency Owners in 2026

Compare the best exit valuation tool for agency owners — digital agency multiples (2.5×–6.5× EBITDA), seller-weighted blends, and exit scenario modeling. Free during beta.

What Is My Business Worth
How Much Is My Small Business Worth 2026? (Defensible Valuation Guide)

Asking how much is my small business worth 2026? Get a defensible FCFF + FCFE + EV/EBITDA blended range by industry, updated for current SMB transaction multiples.

What Is My Business Worth
What Is My Consulting Business Worth? (2026 Valuation Guide)

Wondering what is my consulting business worth? See 2026 consulting multiples (2.5×–5.5× EBITDA), retainer premium drivers, and a free FCFF + FCFE + EV/EBITDA blend.

Best Tool
Best AI Valuation Calculator for SaaS Founders in 2026

Find the best AI valuation calculator for SaaS founders — ARR multiples (3.0×–9.0×), rule-of-40, churn modeling, and FCFF + FCFE + EV/EBITDA blended. Free during beta.

Best Tool
Best Business Valuation Software for E-commerce Stores in 2026

Compare the best business valuation software for e-commerce stores — 2.0×–5.5× EBITDA multiples, channel-risk modeling, and FCFF + FCFE + EV/EBITDA blended. Free during beta.

Best Tool
Best Exit Planning Tool for Solopreneurs in 2026

Compare the best exit planning tool for solopreneurs — model your walk-away number, test buyer scenarios, and run FCFF + FCFE + EV/EBITDA in one living dashboard. Free during beta.

Best Tool
Best Tool to Value My Small Business in 2026

Find the best tool to value my small business — three institutional methods (FCFF, FCFE, EV/EBITDA) blended for your decision, updated as your books change. Free during beta.

Best Tool
Best Valuation Tool for Business Owners Planning to Sell in 2026

Compare the best valuation tool for business owners planning to sell — seller-weighted FCFF + FCFE + EV/EBITDA blend, scenario modeling, and walk-away math. Free during beta.

Best Tool
Best Free Business Valuation Tool 2026 (No Credit Card Needed)

Looking for the best free business valuation tool 2026 with no credit card? Compare three institutional methods (FCFF, FCFE, EV/EBITDA) blended for your perspective.

How To Value
How to Value an E-commerce Business (Step-by-Step + Free Tool)

Wondering how to value an e-commerce business? Walk through SDE vs. EBITDA, channel risk, and use a free FCFF + FCFE + EV/EBITDA blended valuation.

Comparison
Best Way to Value a Business Without an Expensive Appraiser

Find the best way to value a business without an expensive appraiser — three institutional methods (FCFF, FCFE, EV/EBITDA) blended in 10 minutes for free.

What Is My Business Worth
What Is My SaaS Business Worth in 2026? (Free Valuation)

Wondering what is my SaaS business worth in 2026? Compare ARR multiples, churn impact, and rule-of-40 against a free FCFF + FCFE + EV/EBITDA blended valuation.

Best Tool
Best Business Valuation Tool for Small Business Owners in 2026

Compare the best business valuation tool for small business owners in 2026 — three institutional methods (FCFF, FCFE, EV/EBITDA) blended into one answer. Free during beta.

2 authors · supervised by CFA charterholders · methodology refreshed annually.

Read the Methodology