“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?
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 – meaning they are 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. As more businesses are transacting, the “Silver Tsunami” will be driven by business owners that will be more competitive for potential buyers putting pressure on valuations; and all the while demanding a 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 to Begin?
The most successful exits start years before a sale ever happens. The ideal planning timeline is three to five years in advance. Taking the time to plan will allow 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 understands how to walk with you through this process, leveraging your team of counselors, CPAs, attorneys or business valuation consultants to align 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 beforehand.
How We Help
Our process begins with deep discovery: understanding what matters most to you—your legacy, lifestyle, desired impact. Then we move into strategy: assessing your unique situation, identifying business risks, and modeling the financial implications of various exit paths. With a team of trusted advisors, we act as the quarterback of your exit planning team.
Box Financial Advisors is an independent registered investment advisor, our focus is to help our clients make wise financial decisions. www.boxfinancial.com
