The Personal Aspects of Exit Planning for Business Owners
Small business owners typically eat, sleep, and breathe their business. It is their passion, and it is consuming. Thinking about the day that will come when they will exit the business in some way is generally back of mind, and they don’t consider planning for that process. While there are many facets to the exit planning process, this article will focus on the personal readiness of the owner to exit, including planning what their lives will look like after they are no longer involved or fully involved in managing the business.
First, a business owner who has dedicated their lives to building something of value must be emotionally ready to let go. Are they, in fact, ready? They are relinquishing control of their life’s work. Because entrepreneurs spend their lives managing the highs and lows of everyday business, they are left with an emotional void, stemming from a lack of purpose or just, simply, things to do. Planning the logistics of the exit will create, for the owner, a picture of what their new life will look like. It will help them to mentally prepare for this picture.
Second, they must have a personal financial plan for life after exit. This will be based on their current personal assets, what lump sum they receive for the business when they exit, and any residual income they may earn from the business. Based on these factors, the financial plan must address:
● Will they be able to receive adequate income from sources such as dividends or interest from the investment of their assets, residual income from the business (if any), and retirement benefits? Will the income enable them to maintain the lifestyle they desire? Will this income be sustainable for their lifetime?
● Will they have funds to do the things they want to do during retirement such as travel, buy a new car, help family members, etc.?
● Will they have funds for their own long-term care?
● Will they be able to maintain funds that they wish to pass on to their heirs?
The plan will involve determining how to invest their assets, what insurance they may need such as long-term care and life insurance, and how they will receive income distributions from various sources.
Third, they will need to consider how they will spend their time during retirement. As mentioned before, they will be left with a void in their lives. Their time has been consumed for years by managing the business. They need to consider what they will do on a day to day basis. For some, this may not be a problem. They may have a hobby or travels that they have always wanted to pursue, or want to spend more time with family. But not every business owner has considered how they will spend their time. Completing their business exit and suddenly having time on their hands that they don’t know what to do with could take an emotional toll. This is why planning “life after exit” is a critical part of the overall exit planning process.
In later articles, I will address the nuts and bolts of exit planning decisions and strategy, but the personal planning aspect is something I felt was critical to address.
Tom Flynn is a FocusCFO Area President based in Columbus, OH.
855-236-0600
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