As a business owner, you have made the sacrifices and taken the risk to build something of value.  It’s important to remember the four stages of a valuable business:  identify, protect, grow, and harvest.  Depending on your goals and stage of the business, we can help you at any point along the path.  Eventually, it will be time to harvest that value.

It’s very common for your business to hold over 80% of your personal net worth, therefore, it is critical that your personal, financial, and business goals are linked together.  We know that most successful business transitions start with clear and documented goals.  For example:

• How much do you need out of the business to potentially reach your personal financial goals?
• Are your trying to maximize the value of the business or is it more important to maintain the culture and legacy of the business?
• How important is it to minimize your tax consequences?
• Do you wish to have an ongoing role in the business?
• Are you willing to trade some risk for value with an earn-out clause or carrying a note?
• Is it important to transfer all ownership at once?
• Does the business have multiple owners?  What does the shareholder agreement state?  Do you have key-person insurance or a buy/sell agreement in place?
• If you are considering a family transition, how does the sale impact your children?
• What are you going to do the day after the sale of your business?  The month after?  The year after?  How do you redefine yourself as you move to the next stage?

These are just some of the questions you may consider as we begin to help clarify and document your goals in harvesting the value of your business and moving to the next stage of your life.  We treasure the opportunity to be an integral part of your transition team.