Business Exit Planning

Most owners have the majority of their wealth tied up in their businesses, which is why it is critically important to determine how much you need to take away from the sale of your business. Taking stock of your assets and determining your post-sale income needs will enable us to determine just how reliant you are on the proceeds from the sale of your business.

We will then help you develop strategies to diversify your wealth through investments, real estate rental income, interest, dividends, and hopefully social security, and to protect your business and your family against unforeseen events.

You may be under the assumption—held by most small business owners—that selling to a third-party buyer is your only option, but it may not be. We will work with you to understand all of your options, including the most common types of external and internal strategies, their broad characteristics, and the types of businesses and owners best suited for each. An “Internal Sale” refers to selling or giving the business to insiders, such as employees, managers, or family members. An “External Sale” refers to selling to an outsider, such as a competitor, customer, or investor.

It’s critical to take the time to figure out which strategy is right for your business and for you personally. We will provide you with independent and objective guidance on which exit strategies will satisfy both your financial and personal objectives.

We will work with you to develop your exit roadmap and achieve the life you desire post-transition.

You need an experienced and impartial advocate to guide you through this process to closing. At your request, we will act as the quarterback of your exit team to ensure that all work is completed on time and that your goals and objectives are paramount. In addition, we can introduce you to specialized advisors, when the time is right, to help you close on your deal-of-a-lifetime.

You may sell only one business during your lifetime. You don’t want to go it alone. Let us help you make the most of this opportunity.

Prepare Yourself to Sell Your Business
Gain Clarity.

You may think that when you’re ready, you’ll just sell your business and walk away. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Exiting your business is a process and it’s crucial to define your vision and personal goals before you start in order to have the best possible outcome. While it is important to prepare your business to sell, it is also vital to make sure you are personally ready to move on.

Most business owners have only a vague idea of what they hope to achieve with their business sale. We will help you gain clarity and document your goals so your next phase of life will be the best yet.

Your business exit should leave you in a position of financial security for the duration of your life. However, most business owners overestimate the market value of their business and underestimate their tax liability and the associated costs of transition. Involving a business owner advocate early in the process can help you get the most out of your exit.

We make sure that our clients understand exactly what they can expect from their transition. If what they need is not what they will get, our team has the expertise to show you how to cover the gap.

You need to understand what your business is worth before choosing an exit strategy. We will help you determine what your business is worth today and what you can do to maximize value. Owners who want to exit in the near future will need to think like buyers to reposition their businesses to achieve maximum business value.

Beauty is in the eye of the buyer, and buyers are looking for profitable, sustainable, and transferable targets. They want to buy businesses that run smoothly, have minimal risk, and strong future potential. We can take a close look at every area of your company (i.e., pre-due diligence) from a buyer’s perspective to ensure that you are maximizing company value.

You may be under the assumption—held by most small business owners—that selling to a third-party buyer is your only option, but it may not be. We will work with you to understand all of your options, including the most common types of external and internal strategies, their broad characteristics, and the types of businesses and owners best suited for each. An “Internal Sale” refers to selling or giving the business to insiders, such as employees, managers, or family members. An “External Sale” refers to selling to an outsider, such as a competitor, customer, or investor.
It’s critical to take the time to figure out which strategy is right for your business and for your personally. We will provide you with independent and objective guidance on which exit strategies will satisfy both your financial and personal objectives.

The selling process is a minefield whether you plan to sell to an insider or third party. You will need to be prepared to navigate it successfully and avoid deal killers. At least half a dozen times during the sale process, you’ll think the deal is off. Buyers will balk at terms, unforeseen events will threaten to take the deal off track and circumstances will appear untenable. It is an emotionally draining process.

Our team will educate you about who the players are and how the selling process works to help you stay the course. We will also assist you in positioning your business in the best possible light and negotiating the best possible deal. Understanding the fundamentals of how your business sale is likely to be taxed is essential to achieving your financial goals.

We will work with you to develop your exit roadmap and achieve the life you desire post-transition.

You need an experienced and impartial advocate to guide you through this process to closing. At your request, we will act as the quarterback of your exit team to ensure that all work is completed on time and that your goals and objectives are paramount. In addition, we can introduce you to specialized advisors, when the time is right, to help you close on your deal-of-a-lifetime.

You may sell only one business during your lifetime. You don’t want to go it alone. Let us help you make the most of this opportunity.