3 STEPS TO YOUR DREAM EXIT WITHOUT COMPROMISING YOUR LIFE’S WORK
ARI BAUM, CFP®
YOU’VE GOT THAT LITTLE VOICE IN THE BACK OF YOUR MIND TELLING YOU IT’S TIME FOR THE NEXT ADVENTURE. YOU’VE PUT IN THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF HOURS OF YOUR BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS TO BUILD YOUR BUSINESS INTO SOMETHING INCREDIBLE. YOU’VE CAREFULLY CRAFTED YOUR BUSINESS INTO WHAT YOU WANTED IT TO BE. IT’S BEEN LIKE RAISING A CHILD. YEARS LATER, YOU’RE PROUD OF IT BECAUSE YOU’VE “RAISED” IT RIGHT.
But there’s one big problem. You’re wondering, what’s next? Although you might be experiencing mixed emotions about moving on, breaking free of your work is starting to sound more and more enticing. All the trips you haven’t been able to take, and the family time sacrificed to the business are beginning to weigh on you.
Of course, you’ve got concerns about leaving your life’s work behind. Can you make sure that the values you’ve worked so hard to instill don’t get lost in the transition? What about your employees and your clients? While you want to make sure that they’re taken care of, at the same time, you can’t cut yourself loose with nothing to show for it. You expect your business to fund your future.
Just as you planned meticulously for a variety of situations as you built your business, you need to approach your exit in a methodical way. Although it sounds easy, it seems to be stressful, and even painful, for many business owners. In a recent survey, only about one-third of family-owned businesses had a succession plan in place. Whether you’re selling to family or not, you need a plan of action to ensure that you make the right decisions and have thought through the consequences.
You may have already been thinking about how to make the transition. Or maybe recent events have changed your perspective on how much time you want to spend on your work. Either way, you’re looking for a win-win strategy that balances your need for financial freedom and your company’s need for new growth and stability.
If you’re dreaming about passing your enterprise on to others and enjoying a new life outside your business, read on.
As a successful business owner contemplating your ideal exit, you’re likely asking yourself questions such as:
How much is my business worth?
How do I ensure that my clients and staff will be taken care of?
Am I aware of all the options available to me when it comes to profiting from my business?
What are the consequences, financial and otherwise, of my choices?
Who do I trust to help me plan my exit?
Following are some strategies to consider.
STEP 1: DEFINE YOUR DREAM EXIT
While there are plenty of resources that provide an overview on business succession planning in general, it’s not as easy to find information that applies specifically to you and your needs, as well as your firm’s requirements. When it comes to the ideal exit, there’s no such thing as “one size fits all.”
When you were building your company, you probably didn’t just throw tactics at the market to see what worked! If you had, you wouldn’t have been so successful. Instead, you first determined what it was that you wanted to achieve. Then you put together a blueprint to put all the pieces in place, along with a timeline for each phase.
In the beginning, your main goal may have just been to bring in enough income to stay afloat. As your business began to grow, your blueprint changed. You’re now at the point where it needs to change again. Your first step is to decide what that new goal is.
You probably want your existing customers to be well taken care of, whatever that means to you. In addition, you would probably like to reward the workers who have been by your side during the difficult times and to keep everyone employed.
Of course, you need to make sure that you and your family are financially taken care of. Maybe you’d like to take some profit off the top in order to pay off debt or put kids through college. On the other hand, maybe you’re finished working and want to spend all your time with friends, family, and hobbies you enjoy.
The way you grew your company was specific to your own values and how you wanted your company to thrive. Now, it’s time for the business to recede into the background, but your strategy still must be customized to your own values and vision.
STEP 2: CHOOSE THE RIGHT ESCAPE HATCH
Now that you’ve determined your goals, you can plan your strategy. Your plan must accommodate more than “just” the financials. Maybe you have friends or family who have been through a similar transition. However, that doesn’t mean their arrangement will work for you.
You may know someone who passed their business on to their children. If your kids aren’t willing and able to take over your company, that’s not an option for you. Even if you really wish it were.
Fortunately, you have other options. You might have a second-in-command that is poised to take over. Maybe you’re considering selling to your employees or you’re willing to find a third-party buyer instead.
Consider how your exit fits into your personal financial plan. If your future rests on your income until you stop working at a certain age, how will you manage if you stop working now? Is there enough value in the company to support your lifestyle?
Another aspect of your strategy to consider is how much of an exit you’re planning. Will you completely close the door behind you? Or would you prefer to leave the door open, which permits you to take out some equity and potentially reduce your responsibilities?
As you probably expect, different approaches result in different tax consequences. Selling a firm means selling all its assets, not just one business entity. Some company components enjoy capital gains treatment upon sale, while others are taxed as ordinary income. Depending on how the deal is structured, you may enjoy greater tax savings with one strategy over another.
Relationships are a factor that often complicates planning. Are there dynamics within the family that must be considered? Even if you’re the only one involved in the company, your exit could still stir up some emotions.
STEP 3: DETERMINE WHEN TO POP THE HATCH
It takes some time to do the prep work before you break out of your business, even before you start looking for a buyer or engage in serious conversations. On the other hand, you want to be ready to exit on a (financially) high note.
Developing your strategy and timeline now is critical. Having everything in place makes it more likely that you’ll be able to take advantage of a favorable market. If you own a seasonal business, you probably don’t want to search for a buyer in the offseason when profits are low or nonexistent. Bear in mind that the actual sale of the company (not including all of your prepping) often takes almost a year.
Another advantage to solidifying your approach early is to avoid giving your competitors an advantage. Otherwise, they may swoop in and take clients and/or staff while you’re still figuring out your tactics.
Your time frame should match your strategy as well. Want to take off in the next couple of years? Avoid strategies that will take you five years to implement.
ENVISION AND EXECUTE YOUR EXIT
As a successful business owner, you put key elements in place in a timely fashion so you could leverage any opportunities you found along the way. When it comes to your business, this may be your last campaign. Treat it with the same thoughtfulness you brought to growing your company.
The good news is, it’s entirely possible to retire, partially or fully, from your business and leave it in good hands. At the same time, the value from what you built can provide you with the financial freedom you deserve. No dream exit is the result of sheer luck.
Making the right choices could result in the smooth transition you’re looking for. Not only does your ideal exit positively affect your finances, but your firm and your family relationships, too. That’s why it’s so critical to understand all the possible outcomes of your options.
The sooner you develop your strategy, the better. Once you have it in place, you can take advantage of opportunities that come your way. Otherwise, you’re at risk of losing out because you weren’t prepared.
You’ve already made the wise decision to read through this information. The next step is to contact a financial professional to set up a Business Escape Planning Session.
This material is for information purposes only. The content is developed from sources believed to be reliable; no warranty, expressed or implied, is made regarding accuracy, adequacy, or completeness. Consult your financial professional before making any investment decision. This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. Discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.
Ari Baum, CFP® is the founder and CEO of Endurance Wealth Partners, with over a quarter of a century of experience in the Financial Services industry. He brings his in-depth experience to Conceive. Believe. Achieve. for his clients.
Brokerage and Advisory accounts carried by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC. Securities and Advisory services offered through Prospera Financial Services Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC.
