Exit Planning for Business Owners

Exit Planning for Business Owners

Selling a business is one of the biggest financial events of your life. It’s not just a transaction, it’s the moment when decades of hard work, risk, and sacrifice turn into personal wealth. Yet most owners approach it without a clear plan—and many leave money on the table or walk away unprepared for what comes next.

That’s where exit planning comes in.

Exit Planning for Business Owners

Selling a business is one of the biggest financial events of your life. It’s not just a transaction, it’s the moment when decades of hard work, risk, and sacrifice turn into personal wealth. Yet most owners approach it without a clear plan—and many leave money on the table or walk away unprepared for what comes next.

That’s where exit planning comes in.

Why Exit Planning Matters

  • Most owners are unprepared. Studies show that less than half of business owners have a formal exit strategy, even though the majority plan to exit in the next five years.
  • Timing is critical. Market conditions, tax laws, and personal readiness all affect the value you walk away with.
  • Exiting is a process, not an event. Building transferable value, structuring the deal, and preparing for life after the sale all require time and expertise.

Your Exit Planning Team

Successful exits don’t happen in isolation. Attorneys, CPAs, valuation experts, investment bankers, and wealth advisors each play a role. But without coordination, business owners are left with conflicting advice and missed opportunities.

As a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) and financial advisor, my role is to be your strategic partner. I sit on your team with one mission: help you turn the value of your business into personal wealth that supports your next chapter.

My Role as Your Advisor in Exit Planning

I help you answer the big questions:

  • What will the sale mean for my personal financial future?
  • How much do I need to net from the exit to maintain my lifestyle?
  • How can I minimize taxes on the proceeds? (Our CPAs assist in tax planning)
  • What investment strategy should I use once the business is sold?
  • How do I prepare my family for the transition?

From day one, I coordinate with your team to bring clarity, efficiency, and foresight to the process. My work doesn’t end when the deal closes—I continue as your wealth manager, guiding you through investment, tax, and estate strategies so the wealth you created lasts for generations.

A Proven Process

  1. Discovery – Understand your goals, both personal and financial.
  2. Assessment – Analyze your business value, financial readiness, and tax exposure.
  3. Planning – Build a coordinated roadmap with your exit team.
  4. Execution – Support the deal process while protecting your financial interests.
  5. Life After Exit – Transition to a wealth management plan designed for your next chapter.

Why Exit Planning Matters

  • Most owners are unprepared. Studies show that less than half of business owners have a formal exit strategy, even though the majority plan to exit in the next five years.
  • Timing is critical. Market conditions, tax laws, and personal readiness all affect the value you walk away with.
  • Exiting is a process, not an event. Building transferable value, structuring the deal, and preparing for life after the sale all require time and expertise.

Your Exit Planning Team

Successful exits don’t happen in isolation. Attorneys, CPAs, valuation experts, investment bankers, and wealth advisors each play a role. But without coordination, business owners are left with conflicting advice and missed opportunities.

As a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) and financial advisor, my role is to be your strategic partner. I sit on your team with one mission: help you turn the value of your business into personal wealth that supports your next chapter.

My Role in Exit Planning

I help you answer the big questions:

  • What will the sale mean for my personal financial future?
  • How much do I need to net from the exit to maintain my lifestyle?
  • How can I minimize taxes on the proceeds? (Our CPAs assist in tax planning)
  • What investment strategy should I use once the business is sold?
  • How do I prepare my family for the transition?

From day one, I coordinate with your team to bring clarity, efficiency, and foresight to the process. My work doesn’t end when the deal closes—I continue as your wealth manager, guiding you through investment, tax, and estate strategies so the wealth you created lasts for generations.

A Proven Process

  1. Discovery – Understand your goals, both personal and financial.
  2. Assessment – Analyze your business value, financial readiness, and tax exposure.
  3. Planning – Build a coordinated roadmap with your exit team.
  4. Execution – Support the deal process while protecting your financial interests.
  5. Life After Exit – Transition to a wealth management plan designed for your next chapter.

Ready to Talk About Your Exit?

The earlier you start, the more control you’ll have over the outcome. Whether you’re planning to sell in a year or a decade, now is the time to put the right team in place.

Download my Exit Planning Roadmap to see the key steps every business owner should take. Then schedule a conversation to explore how I can serve as the financial advisor on your exit team.