Preparing to exit your business can bring on a wave of emotions. For most, this is not only rooted in financial security but in personal identity. Developing and building a business can take years, even decades. Whether you're exiting for personal or economic reasons, the result is the same — you're letting go of something that was your mark on this world. There is an importance to that.
If you are preparing to exit, it is more involved than cashing out or handing over the keys. The next steps matter, especially when aiming to protect your financial well-being, not just today but in the following years. Considering wealth management is a step you cannot afford to ignore.
Here is what to consider to help potentially build a strong financial future — and one day, look back at it all, hopefully feeling content about the decisions you made.
The Challenge: Balancing Immediate and Long-Term Goals
Exiting a business is rarely straightforward, especially since it can have so many financial and emotional implications that might affect you for years. You may find yourself asking:
- What is my business really worth, and how can I maximize its value before selling?
- How can I manage taxes to retain more of the proceeds?
- What’s the best way to protect my personal assets after the sale?
- Am I financially and emotionally ready for this transition?
These questions reflect the complex landscape business owners face as they transition from actively running a company to planning for a secure and fulfilling retirement. Without a comprehensive strategy, you risk missing opportunities to optimize your wealth and ensure your legacy.
Why Financial Planning Is Critical for Business Owners Preparing for Exit
Business owners have a lot to consider when they plan to exit the companies they've built. Comprehensive planning focused on wealth management, setting financial goals, and potentially lowering tax burdens to help promote an enjoyable retirement.
Other topics to consider during business owner retirement planning include:
- Business valuation
- Liquidity risks
- Emotional attachments
The following sections will cover these and other financial planning topics you might consider as you prepare to exit your business.
Setting Clear Financial Goals for Life After the Exit
Like most, you've spent much of your professional life setting financial goals and tracking key performance indicators. You don't stop doing that as you prepare to exit your business. You might even want to double your efforts to help ensure you have enough money to enjoy retirement.
Exiting your business will partially define your financial goals moving forward. After leaving your company, you will have important decisions to make about what to do with the proceeds from the sale. You might put the money into an account with a predictable interest rate or you could also put a portion in investments that might give you higher returns. For most they will need both options. The final decision will be driven by your financial goals and specific financial needs.
You can't start to find the right approach until you set clear financial goals. Do it now so you're prepared for life after exiting your business.
Business Valuation and Enhancing Business Value Pre-Sale
Enhancing your business's value will ideally increase the amount of money you have when you exit. You might want to enhance your business's valuation by:
- Optimizing operational efficiency
- Diversifying revenue streams
- Increasing revenues
- Boosting profit margins
- Ensuring you've protected your intellectual property
- Preparing for potential buyers to review every aspect of the business
- Finalizing a transition plan to help ensure the business thrives without you
The more successful you make your business now — and solidify a plan for ongoing success — the more likely it is that you will increase the company's value.
It's always a good idea to build a team and seek outside perspectives before you prepare to exit the business. Doing so might give you a more complete, honest view of the organization and how it appears to potential buyers, investors, or remaining owners.
Tax Strategies for a Tax-Efficient Exit
The specific tax strategies you use when exiting a business will depend on your financial goals and the retirement vehicles you've invested in. Regardless of the specifics, your likely goal is to lower your tax burden so you can maximize your wealth.
Selling your business could increase your tax burden depending on your approach. For most, the federal government considers the proceeds from the sale a capital gain. Depending on the approach you take, though, you could get taxed for short-term or long-term capital gains. The difference could influence your tax burden and when you must pay taxes on your gains.
Speaking with a tax professional familiar with your business before you exit your business is best. That way, you get detailed advice that applies to your specific situation.
Investment and Portfolio Diversification Post-Exit
Like some, you may have an investment portfolio, but that doesn't mean it will meet your wealth management and lifestyle goals after you exit your business.
Now is the time to consider diversifying your investments. When you were earning money from your business, you might have felt comfortable accepting higher risk in exchange for higher returns. After selling your business, you may want to lower your portfolio's risk to help provide income during retirement. Retirement planning for business owners focuses on investing to that provide income, stability, and potential growth. Establishing and investment management approach is important as it will potentially help you meet your income needs, and achieve your financial goals. Of course, there aren't any guarantees when it comes to investing.
Planning for Retirement Income and Cash Flow
Retirement planning for business owners can look different from retirement planning for people who've held typical jobs. While running your business, you might have a lot of your money tied up in your business assets. As you move toward exiting the business, there are opportunities liquidate those assets and move them into accounts that produce income during your retirement.
Risk Management and Asset Protection
Of course, you also need to manage risk and protect your assets. Otherwise, all the work you've done to build wealth will be for nothing. Managing risk for before leaving your business was about protecting the business and your family. After an exit, most focus on protecting their wealth which will provide for their family for generations to follow.
Common risks to consider are taxes, investments, and health. Taking steps to reduce taxes during the sale are important. After the sale protecting your wealth from taxes is just as important. Now you are protecting a pool of assets that will need to last your retirement and taxes can change annually. Investing risk are viewed differently when you are retired. Managing and protecting your proceeds from the market and other risks are important. While no one can guarantee the returns of an investment its important to plan and review your investments.
Now that most of us can expect to live longer lives the risk that a long-term illness increases. Long-term illnesses can bring unexpected expenses that can eat away at your wealth.
Speaking with a professional can help you understand your risks and help you establish a plan focused on protecting your wealth.
Estate Planning and Wealth Transfer Considerations
Wealth management strategies are intended to extend beyond your personal financial needs. After all, you might decide to share some of the profits with your family members. You might also consider how you will transfer wealth to beneficiaries after your life ends.
Professional estate planning can help to ensure your beneficiaries avoid unnecessary taxes and legal expenses. There are many options to building an estate plan to support your wishes and that's why it's important to build a team of professionals who can help you weigh the pros and cons of available strategies.
Life After Exit: Financial and Emotional Transition
You might have spent years or decades building a successful business. Exiting it requires some financial planning. It also means you might need to anticipate an emotional transition.
You know it's the right time to leave your business so you can enjoy retirement. However, a lot of business owners don't expect the emotional rollercoaster they will experience during and after the exit. You've been working long hours, pouring everything you have into your business. Suddenly, you hand the reins to someone else, and you have a lot of free time. It's often a difficult transition.
Make plans that will keep you looking forward to your retirement. Talk to family members and other loved ones about how you will use your free hours. The only correct answer is the one that works for you.
Working With the Right Advisors for a Successful Exit
Selecting the right advisor is an important first step to building a team that supports your financial success. Whether it’s wealth management, retirement planning, or preparing for a smooth business exit, having a trusted partner by your side can make a material difference.
Take the first step today—Schedule a consultation with ALNA Wealth Management and discover how we can guide you toward achieving your goals with confidence and clarity.
This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is meant to be general in nature. The views expressed do not take into account any individual personal, financial, or tax considerations. As such, the information contained herein is not intended to be personal legal, investment or tax advice or a solicitation or recommendation to engage in any particular planning or investment strategy. Although we strive to provide accurate and timely information, there can be guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. You should note that the materials are provided “as is” without any express or implied warranties. No one should act upon any information contained herein without appropriate professional guidance from their financial, legal or tax advisor. Please understand that investing involves risk and the potential to lose principal. Please consult with your advisor prior to making any investment related decisions to fully understand the risks.
Investment advisory services offered through Mariner Independent Advisor Network, LLC, a registered investment adviser. ALNA Wealth Management, and Mariner Independent Advisor Network, LLC are separate entities.
