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The Big Hand-Off: A Practical Exit Playbook for Business Owners Ready to Retire

by Eric Seyboldt, MBA

There’s a huge moment every business owner faces—the day the business is no longer just a job, but it transitions to a legacy. Selling a company isn’t about handing over keys; it’s about converting a lifetime of sweat equity into steady, reliable income for the years ahead.

1) Build a Real Runway (18–36 months)

A good exit isn’t rushed. It’s planned. Laying out a clear timeline gives the business time to look its best—clean financials, organized operations, and a clear story for buyers.
Benefit: A stronger valuation and smoother sale.
Cost: The discipline to tighten things up long before the “For Sale” sign goes up.

2) Clean Up the Numbers

Buyers pay for what they can see. That means recasting financials to reflect true earnings—no personal expenses running through the business, no fuzzy accounting.
Benefit: A higher, more credible profit number.
Cost: A little less flexibility today for a much bigger payday later.

3) Tighten the Back Office

Put solid systems in place. Button up your books, vendor contracts, cybersecurity, and standard operating procedures.
Benefit: Buyers trust clean operations—and pay more for them.
Cost: Some time and money upfront to get it right.

4) Step Back from the Center

If the business only runs when the owner is there, it’s not really sellable. Build a team that can lead without you.
Benefit: A business that survives—and thrives—after you leave.
Cost: Giving up some control before you’re ready.

5) Get a Real Valuation

A sober, professional valuation—not a guess—helps set clear expectations. Stress-test it with different scenarios so surprises don’t derail the deal later.
Benefit: You negotiate from strength.
Cost: A few appraisal fees and a little ego-checking.

6) Shape the Deal Before You Meet a Buyer

Asset sale or stock sale? Cash at close or earn-out? Know what matters to you before anyone else sits at the table.
Benefit: You protect your bottom line and your tax position.
Cost: A little legal work now saves a lot of regret later.

7) Get Smart on Taxes Early

Use retirement plans, charitable trusts, or basis planning to minimize Uncle Sam’s cut. Align your entity structure with the kind of sale you want.
Benefit: More after-tax dollars for your retirement.
Cost: Some strategic planning—well worth it.

8) Build a Bulletproof Data Room

Have every document organized: financials, tax returns, contracts, customer records, IP, and HR files.
Benefit: Faster deals and fewer excuses from buyers.
Cost: Some administrative elbow grease.

9) Run a Quiet, Competitive Sale

Good advisors can create a controlled auction—letting multiple buyers compete without turning it into a circus.
Benefit: Real price tension, real negotiating power.
Cost: A success fee that’s often more than paid for by a higher sale price.

10) Negotiate What’s Behind the Headline Number

The sticker price isn’t the whole story. Terms, escrow, earn-outs, and warranties can quietly shift hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Benefit: You actually keep what you think you’re selling.
Cost: Strong legal counsel and some patience.

11) Plan the Handoff

A smart transition plan—usually 6 to 18 months—can make or break the deal. Buyers want reassurance; your team wants stability.
Benefit: A smoother sale and faster release of holdbacks.
Cost: A little more time spent on the back end.

12) Turn Sale Proceeds Into a Paycheck

Before the ink is dry, design a retirement income strategy: cash reserves, short-term bonds, growth investments, and a tax-smart withdrawal plan.
Benefit: Predictable income that isn’t tied to the market’s mood.
Cost: Accepting a disciplined, structured retirement plan.

13) Cover the Bases

Line up health insurance, long-term care strategies, estate documents, and insurance coverage.
Benefit: Protection from the unexpected.
Cost: Modest premiums and a little paperwork.

14) Rehearse the Next Chapter

A liquidity event without a plan can turn into chaos. Test your budget. Run through worst-case scenarios. Get clear on what retirement looks like for you.
Benefit: Peace of mind.
Cost: A weekend of honest planning.

The Final Hand-Off

A business sale done right isn’t just a transaction—it’s a bridge. One side is the years spent building. The other side is a life built on security, dignity, and freedom of choice.

For the owner who’s put their heart into a company, the goal isn’t to “cash out fast.” It’s to walk away steady, knowing the future is built on something stronger than luck.

Because retirement isn’t about leaving something behind.
It’s about securing what was earned—down to the last detail.

Reach out to us for a complimentary, 10-minute consultation call. Selling a business isn’t just a transaction — it’s a turning point. A well-structured exit plan can turn years of hard work into lasting financial security. If you’re a business owner nearing retirement, now is the time to map out how that transition will protect your wealth, lower your tax burden, and create a reliable income stream for the next chapter.

To explore how a tailored exit strategy can support your retirement goals, schedule a complimentary 10-minute consultation by calling 614-943-2265. The right plan can turn a one-time sale into a lifetime of stability and peace of mind.

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Wills vs. Living Trusts: A Decision That Can Shape a Family’s Future

by Eric Seyboldt, MBA

Client: Eric, I keep hearing people talk about wills and living trusts. Aren’t they basically the same thing?

Eric: Not really. They might seem similar on the surface—they both deal with what happens to your assets when you’re gone—but they function very differently. A will is like leaving a set of directions that only get opened after you pass away. A living trust works while you’re still here, keeps working if you can’t make decisions anymore, and lets your family skip the courtroom entirely. One is reactive. The other is built to give you control before and beyond the grave.

Client: So, what actually happens when someone only has a will?

Eric: When someone passes away with just a will, it has to go through probate—the formal court process of authenticating the document, paying debts, and distributing assets. This can take months or years, depending on how complex things are. Costs often range from 3% to 7% of the estate, which means a $500,000 estate could lose $15,000–$35,000 in fees before anyone sees a dime. And it’s all public record—who got what, when, and how.

A real example: A couple in central Ohio left a will but never set up a trust. When the husband passed, their two adult children spent nearly a year in probate, hiring attorneys, going to court, and paying thousands in fees before receiving anything. Everything they owned—from the house to their bank accounts—had to crawl through that process.

Client: And if they’d had a trust?

Eric: It would have been entirely different. A living trust bypasses probate altogether. The successor trustee simply steps in and follows your instructions. No court. No public record. Assets are transferred privately, often in a matter of weeks.

Let’s take another example. A widow in Delaware County placed her home and investment accounts into a living trust. When she passed, her children met with the trustee and had the home deed and accounts transferred within 30 days. No hearings. No legal wrangling. No surprise bills. They were able to focus on honoring their mother—not battling the court system.

Client: So privacy and speed are big benefits. Are there others?

Eric: Absolutely. Here are some clear benefits of each approach:

• WILL – Benefits:

  • Simple to create and less expensive upfront.

  • Lets you name guardians for minor children.

  • Works well for smaller estates that can qualify for simplified probate.

• LIVING TRUST – Benefits:

  • Avoids probate entirely—faster, private, and less costly.

  • Provides continuity if you become incapacitated (your successor trustee can step in without a court).

  • Allows for more control over how and when assets are distributed. For example, you can structure it so a child doesn’t inherit everything at 18 but receives distributions over time.

  • Can help reduce legal disputes among family members.

  • Provides a foundation for advanced tax and asset protection strategies if needed.

Client: What about taxes?

Eric: A standard revocable living trust doesn’t lower taxes by itself, but it gives your estate the legal structure to do more advanced planning—credit shelter trusts, marital deduction planning, and generation-skipping strategies. Think of a will as a straight gravel road with stop signs. A trust is a well-planned highway with multiple exits designed to protect what you’ve worked for.

Client: Who really needs a trust?

Eric: Anyone with a home, retirement accounts, or investments should at least look at it. But it’s especially smart for families with:

• Real estate in more than one state.

• Blended families.

• Young children or adult children who aren’t ready to handle a lump sum inheritance.

• Family businesses or farms.

A trust lets you set rules—whether that means gradual distributions, holding property in the family, or protecting an inheritance from creditors or divorces. A will doesn’t offer that level of control.

Client: It sounds like a living trust is the more strategic option.

Eric: It often is. A trust isn’t just a document—it’s a plan. It saves time, money, and stress for the people you love most. Most families don’t realize how tangled probate can get until they’ve lived through it. Those who plan with a trust give their loved ones clarity. Those who rely on a will alone often leave them with a court date.

A will can pass on what you’ve built. A trust can protect it. One hands your legacy to the courts. The other keeps it in the hands of your family.

For many families who’ve spent a lifetime working, saving, and building, that difference matters. A solid plan isn’t about how much you have—it’s about how smoothly it passes on.

Contact us for a free, brief 10-minute consultation. If you want to make sure your legacy stays in your family’s hands—not the courthouse—this is the time to get the right strategy in place. Call Eric Seyboldt at 614-943-2265 to schedule your complimentary Estate & Legacy Planning Strategy Session. You’ve spent a lifetime building what matters—now make sure it’s protected.

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Fixed annuities can be an essential component of a well-rounded retirement strategy, offering security, predictability, and efficiency in financial planning. Consider them a “CD On Steroids”.

These are current fixed annuity rates and their durations from Top A-rated carriers (subject to change at any time, not FDIC insured):

Rates Are Dropping! Don’t Wait To Lock These Fixed Annuity Rates In Today!

3-year: 5.35% (under $100k Deposited)

3-year: 5.65% (over $100k Deposited)

5-year: 6.05% (under $100k Deposited)

5-year: 6.30% (over $100k Deposited)

7-year: 6.25% (under $100k Deposited)

7-year: 6.50% (over $100k Deposited)

Please feel free to call Eric at 614-943-2265 if you’d like to ask any questions or request information on these fixed annuities or other retirement topics that are on your mind.

REAL ASSETS, Invest Like the Ultra-Wealthy

Invest Like the Ultra-Wealthy: Why Smart Money Is Flocking to Real Assets Like Gold

Let’s call it like it is: the traditional retirement game plan is starting to look outdated. Inflation keeps climbing, the dollar doesn’t stretch like it used to, and central banks continue flooding the system with liquidity. Meanwhile, the markets? Still as volatile and unpredictable as ever.

That’s why today’s smartest investors aren’t sitting on the sidelines—they’re taking action.

They’re turning to gold—a timeless, tangible asset that doesn’t disappear when Wall Street stumbles. Gold has quietly built and preserved wealth through centuries of financial upheaval.

This isn’t just a hedge. It’s a proven strategy for uncertain times.

📌 Gold has stood the test of time as a store of value across every major crisis.
📌 It provides a reliable safeguard against inflation and currency devaluation.
📌 Unlike stocks or bonds, gold is a physical asset you can see, hold, and control on your terms.

When the future feels uncertain, gold offers stability, security, and peace of mind. Make it a cornerstone of your retirement strategy today.

During market chaos, real assets don’t flinch. They thrive. History proves it. While equities tumble, hard assets often surge—shielding portfolios and delivering asymmetric returns when they're needed most.

And even in calm times? They add powerful diversification. That’s why the ultra-wealthy use them as a cornerstone—not a sideshow—in their wealth strategy.

Ask yourself:

🧠 Are you truly diversified?
🧠 What happens to your retirement if inflation stays elevated?
🧠 If the dollar weakens, what asset in your portfolio gets stronger?

If you don’t have a good answer, it’s time for a new conversation.

Allocating funds into the asset class known as “Real Assets” may be a strategy that you should consider.

Ask us how to Rollover a portion of Your IRA or 401k To a GOLD IRA (see link below) and:

• Safeguard your assets from the collapsing dollar

• Incorporate the ‘REAL ASSET’ class into your portfolio like the ultra-wealthy

• Hedge against the current high-inflation conditions

• Protect your retirement assets against economic crises

Just get in touch. We make it easier than ever.

Feedback or Questions?

You’re invited to get in touch with us if you’d like to find out how the Novus Financial Group can help you on your journey to a happy, fulfilling life in Retirement. 

Office: 614-943-2265

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Investment advisory services are offered by duly registered individuals on behalf of CreativeOne Wealth, LLC a Registered Investment Adviser.

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