“Either you run the day or the day runs you.” – Jim Rohn
The Next Decade: Why Business Owners Must Start Planning Today
What’s Coming for Business Owners Over the Next 10 Years?
The landscape for business owners is undergoing a massive transformation. According to the Exit Planning Institute, nearly 74% of privately held business owners intend to transition out of their business within the next decade. Driven by aging Baby Boomers, shifting economic conditions, and evolving market dynamics, the US economy is poised for an unprecedented wave of business exits. Yet, despite the urgency, most owners are unprepared. Here are two startling examples:
- It is estimated that more than half of business transactions are not planned but forced.
- Even more startling, 70-80% of business transitions are unsuccessful.
Why are so many transactions forced and unsuccessful, often because owners waited too long or lacked a cohesive plan.
This “Silver Tsunami” of business owners will face increasing buyer scrutiny, competition for best-in-class valuations, and a demanding need to align their personal and financial goals. Owners who delay risk involuntary exits due to the “5 Ds”—death, disability, divorce, distress, and disagreement—or simply leave wealth on the table by focusing on income rather than enterprise value.
When Should Planning Begin?
The most successful exits start years before a sale ever happens. The ideal planning timeline is three to five years in advance, allowing time to protect, build, and ultimately harvest business value. Early planning isn’t just about a future sale—it’s about creating a significant company today. One with transferable value, strong leadership, resilient systems, and deeply loyal customers.
Even if a sale feels distant, starting now means mitigating risk, maximizing profitability, and aligning business strategy with your future life goals. It’s not about urgency—it’s about intention and impact.
Why Our Firm Can Help
At Box Financial Advisors, we specialize in working with business owners to bridge the gap between today’s performance and tomorrow’s goals. We understand that 80% of your net worth may be locked in your business. But value is not only in numbers—it’s in people, processes, relationships, and culture. Our team is trained in the Value Acceleration Methodology, aligning your business, personal, and financial goals in a unified, strategic approach.
We don’t just help you manage wealth after a sale—we help create it before.
How We Can Help
Our process begins with deep discovery, understanding what matters most to you—your legacy, your lifestyle, your impact. Then we move into strategy: assessing your Wealth Gap, identifying business risks, and modeling the financial implications of various exit paths. With a team of trusted advisors including CPAs, attorneys, and value growth consultants, we act as the quarterback of your exit planning team.
From growing your enterprise value, to preparing for unsolicited offers, to planning your “third act” after business—we’re with you at every step. Whether your exit is five years away or tomorrow, we help you build not just a successful company, but a significant one.Box Financial Advisors is an independent registered investment advisor, our focus as a wealth management firm is to help our clients make wise financial decisions. www.boxfinancial.com
