EXCELLARISE leads in delivering growth and exit-succession strategies that strengthen business resilience across SMEs and agribusiness — helping business owners build value and leave lasting legacies.



EXCELLARISE combines ‘Excel’ and ‘Rise’ — a name that reflects our commitment to helping business owners lift performance, plan for the future, and lead confidently through transition.


Whether you're preparing for growth, succession, or exit, we walk alongside you to build clarity, resilience, and long-term success.


  • OUR VALUES

    Our approach is anchored in five core values: Client-centricity, Integrity, Excellence, Innovation, and Collaboration.


    These values shape every conversation, every plan, every action, and every outcome:


    Client-Centricity:  Your needs guide our approach. We collaborate to tailor strategies that support your goals — with clear steps and practical outcomes.


    Integrity:  We build trust through transparency, ethical advice, and consistent follow-through.


    Excellence:  We focus on quality — not just in planning, but in helping you achieve real progress through every stage of your journey.


    Innovation:  We bring fresh thinking and practical solutions that help your business stay competitive, adapt in a changing market, and manage through leadership transitions, exits, and succession.


    Collaboration:  We partner with you, combining your insights with our expertise to support strong, confident decisions and lasting change.

  • WHY PARTNER WITH EXCELLARISE

    20+ years of experience advising business owners.


    Results: Gain increased business value, improved profitability, greater exit and succession readiness, stronger leadership resilience, and more time and freedom to enjoy what matters most.


    Trusted expertise: CPBA-certified and part of a respected global advisory network, elevating standards across 10 countries since 2009.

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Bennie Crous (MBA, CPBA)

Founder & Owner of ExcellArise

Business Advisory

With over 20 years of hands-on experience across legal, financial, and business advisory services, Bennie Crous brings a unique depth of insight and leadership to business owners navigating growth, succession, and transition.


Bennie began his professional career as a lawyer specializing in dispute resolution and commercial law before moving into the financial services sector, where he spent over 15 years advising high-net-worth business owners and SME clients, with a niche focus on professional advisory practices and agribusinesses. He has worked at senior levels within a leading multinational financial services group and served as a Director of an Australian Financial Services Licensee (AFSL), overseeing strategic decision-making, compliance, and operational performance.


Throughout his career, Bennie has coached business owners and leaders, mentored advisory teams, and led succession and exit planning strategies for SMEs, professional practices, and family businesses. His strength lies in simplifying complex challenges, bringing structure to business decision-making, and offering practical guidance with empathy and clarity.


As a Certified Professional Business Advisor (CPBA) and MBA graduate, Bennie continues to contribute to advisory boards and industry initiatives. His work today reflects a deep commitment to helping clients build stronger businesses and lasting legacies, grounded in values, built on trust, and shaped through partnership.


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CERTIFICATIONS / QUALIFICATIONS

  • CPBA, Certified Professional Business Advisor; Exit and Succession Planning, Australia.


  • Diploma of Financial Planning, Australia.


  • MBA Degree, South Africa.


  • Postgraduate Diploma and Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning, South Africa.


  • B. Proc, Law Degree, South Africa.

Operational Support


While Excellarise is led personally by founder Bennie Crous, we are supported by a network of trusted professionals and back-office resources that allow us to deliver consistent, high-quality service. From scheduling and admin to specialist support when needed, we ensure everything runs smoothly so you can stay focused on what matters most, your business.


If additional expertise or support is required, we engage carefully selected professionals who align with our standards of integrity, responsiveness, and excellence.


Testimonials 

"Highly recommend Bennie for great advice, effective solutions, and solving problems seamlessly."


Gerhard S, GNS Grain Trading

"With Bennie’s advice, we successfully navigated complex challenges. His clear communication and insights led to effective actions that made a significant difference in our business and our dealings with customers."

Jacobus Z Erasmus, Alpha BlueStar