The Exit is Just the Beginning: Turning Business Owner Transitions into Growth Opportunities

An estimated 73% of privately held companies in the U.S. plan to transition ownership within the next decade, representing a $14 trillion opportunity.

But most business owners don't connect with a comprehensive wealth advisor until after they've already sold. By then, critical planning opportunities have been missed, tax mitigation strategies are off the table, and the advisor is left managing the aftermath instead of shaping the outcome.

RISR changes this dynamic by giving advisors the tools to engage business owners before, during, and after their transition, turning what could be a one-time transaction into a lifelong wealth relationship.

What Happens When a Business Owner Exits?

Large liquidity events create immediate complexity. Sale proceeds that may represent 70% or more of the owner’s net worth suddenly need strategic management. New tax exposures emerge that can dramatically impact their take-home proceeds. Estate planning strategies that worked for an operating business owner become inadequate for someone with liquid wealth.

Then come the lifestyle shifts. After exiting their businesses, 42% of owners plan to retire, 39% intend to invest in another business, and 31% want to pursue philanthropy or civic engagement. Family dynamics, too, tend to change when the business that provided structure and purpose is no longer there.

This complexity creates an opportunity for advisors who can see beyond the sale to the transformation that follows.

Be There Before the Exit

When you're involved in pre-exit planning, you can influence the structure of the sale to optimize tax outcomes, help owners understand the true financial requirements for their post-exit lifestyle, and connect with family members to build the foundation for multi-generational wealth management.

Most importantly, you have the chance to build trust during a period when the owner needs guidance most.

Key Advisory Services for Business Owners

Before a sale, business owners require sophisticated service offerings beyond traditional investment management.

• Pre-exit planning involves tax mitigation strategies, retirement income projections, and helping owners understand optimal exit timing. Many owners have unrealistic expectations about their post-sale financial position; your analysis can provide clarity that shapes better decisions.
• Post-exit services shift toward comprehensive wealth management, including sophisticated investment strategies for suddenly liquid assets, family office-style coordination of tax, legal, and estate planning professionals, and guidance around philanthropic giving that aligns with their values.
• Transition strategies become critical for both the owner and their family. How do you structure investments when someone goes from business cash flow to investment income? How do you help a spouse who was never involved in financial decisions become part of wealth planning conversations?

How RISR Makes It Possible

Most advisors know business owners need comprehensive planning, but don't have the tools to analyze complex business situations or model exit scenarios effectively.

RISR solves this by simplifying business analysis and succession modeling. Clients link their QuickBooks or upload tax documents, and RISR's AI engine captures, organizes, and analyzes their data automatically. What used to require deep business expertise now becomes accessible to any advisor.

The platform offers visual tools that help owners understand their options clearly. Instead of complex spreadsheets, you can show interactive scenarios that demonstrate the impact of different exit strategies and timing decisions.

Ready to capture the largest wealth transfer in history? Explore how RISR helps you grow with your business owner clients.