As a business owner, you’ve invested time, energy, and risk into building something of real value. Because your business often represents a large portion of your personal net worth, it’s essential to align your personal, financial, and business goals, especially when preparing for a future transition.

Successful transitions begin with clear, documented objectives. Consider questions such as:

• How much do you need from the sale to support your personal financial goals?
• Is maximizing value your priority, or is preserving the business’s culture and legacy more important?
• How significant is minimizing tax impact?
• Do you want to remain involved in the business or exit fully?
• Are you open to structures like earn-outs or seller financing?
• If there are multiple owners, what does your shareholder or buy/sell agreement require?
• If passing the business to family, how will the transition affect your children?
• What will life look like after the sale — immediately, months later, and in the years ahead?

We’re here to help you clarify and document these goals so you can confidently prepare for the next stage of your life. We value the opportunity to be part of your transition team.

Stifel does not provide legal or tax advice. You should consult with your legal and tax advisors regarding your particular situation.