Why Business Owners Should Start Exit Planning Now

Preparing your business is important. Preparing yourself is essential.

For most business owners, their company is more than an asset—it’s a life’s work, a legacy, and often the largest component of personal net worth. Yet while owners focus on running operations, managing teams, and serving customers, one question often gets overlooked:

“What happens when I’m ready to step away?”

Exit planning is not about selling your company immediately. It’s about making sure that when the time comes—planned or unplanned—you, your family, and your wealth are protected. Early planning allows owners to maximize value, reduce taxes, prepare successors, and enter their next chapter with clarity instead of pressure.

Why Exit Planning Matters

Unexpected events, market shifts, health issues, or key-employee changes can alter a transition timeline. Without preparation, owners risk leaving money on the table or being forced into reactive decisions.

Thoughtful exit planning helps ensure:

• The business continues operating smoothly
• The owner’s personal financial goals are supported
• Taxes are minimized before and after the sale
• Succession paths are clear
• The transition enhances—not disrupts—your long-term wealth

Key Elements of a Strong Exit Plan

Below are foundational components business owners should begin building years before an exit.

1. Understanding Business Value

A formal valuation is the cornerstone of exit planning. It informs:

• Your sell-or-hold decision
• Tax planning opportunities
• Family wealth transfer strategies
• Future income planning
• Succession design

A proper valuation also reveals:

• Value drivers (recurring revenue, margins, customer concentration)
• Operational weaknesses that reduce value
• How your company compares to industry benchmarks

Regular valuation updates help owners adapt their strategy proactively—not reactively.

2. Succession Planning and Continuity

A transition will eventually happen—voluntarily or not. Strong succession planning ensures the business remains stable long after the owner steps away.

Effective plans typically include:

• Identifying potential successors early
• Preparing and training key leaders
• Retention incentives for essential employees
• Clear governance and decision-making frameworks
• A timeline that avoids rushed choices

Succession clarity also reduces perceived risk for future buyers or internal successors.

3. Preparing Your Personal Financial World

Exiting a business is not just a corporate event—it’s a major personal liquidity event. Owners must plan how this wealth converts into long-term financial security.

This includes:

Tax strategy (pre-sale, at sale, and post-sale)

Depending on timing, structure, and the owner's goals, strategies may include:

• Installment sales (Section 453) to spread out capital gains
• Opportunity Zone Funds to defer or eliminate portions of capital gains
• Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs) for lifetime income + partial tax deduction
• Bonus Depreciation Funds for significant first-year deductions
• Oil & Gas investments (IDCs) for large ordinary-income and capital gains deductions
• QSBS (Qualified Small Business Stock) planning when relevant
• 1031 Exchanges and 721 UPREIT strategies for real-estate-holding companies

Each tool fits different situations and timelines.

Income planning after exit

Owners often underestimate how much income their business provided. Planning may include:

• Portfolio income
• Bond ladders
• Alternative income strategies
• Structured payouts or earnouts
• Real estate income (passive)

Estate and legacy planning

A transition is the time to evaluate:

• Trust structures
• Asset protection
• Long-term family planning
• Charitable strategies
• State-level estate tax considerations

Coordinating these elements early prevents rushed decisions at the time of sale.

4. Legal and Structural Readiness

A future buyer—internal or external—will expect clean records, documented agreements, and clear ownership structure.

Preparing now can include:

• Reviewing shareholder/operating agreements
• Cleaning up old or inactive entities
• Confirming intellectual property protection
• Ensuring contracts are transferable
• Updating corporate governance
• Confirming compliance with industry regulations

These steps reduce transaction friction and help avoid value reductions later.

5. Understanding Market Conditions and Timing

Markets shift. Interest rates change. Buyer demand cycles. Industry trends evolve. Exit timing heavily influences price, taxes, and overall outcomes.

Owners should track:

• Industry growth or decline
• M&A activity and private-equity interest
• Trends in valuation multiples
• Broader economic conditions
• Interest rate environments
• Policy or tax-law changes

Proactive planning allows owners to act when conditions are favorable—not when forced.

Considering a 1031 Exchange?

To learn more about leveraging a 1031 exchange for tax deferral, download our free e-book today!

General Disclosure

Please note that this information is for informational purposes only and does not constitute individual investment advice. It should not be relied upon as tax or legal advice. Consult the appropriate professional regarding your individual circumstances.

Diversification does not guarantee profit or protect against loss in a declining market. It is a method used to help manage investment risk.

Investing in DST properties and real estate securities involves material risks such as liquidity, tenant vacancies, market conditions, competition, interest rate risks, and the risk of losing the entire investment principal. DST 1031 properties are available only to accredited investors and accredited entities. Verify your accredited investor status with your CPA and attorney.

Not an offer to buy, nor a solicitation to sell securities. All investing involves risk of loss of some or all principal invested. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Speak to your finance and/or tax professional prior to investing. Any information provided is for informational purposes only. Securities offered through Arkadios Capital, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory Services offered through Arkadios Wealth. Wealthstone Group and Arkadios are not affiliated through any ownership.