There are many challenges facing successful business owners in meeting their long-term exit planning objectives. Business succession planning becomes an essential part of the process to assure future continued growth.

• 50% of all successful business owners are over the age of 50*
• 40% of all U.S. businesses are facing a transfer of ownership issue and many business owners are depending on the value of their business to fund their retirement*
• Only 26% of small business owners have a type of succession plan in place**
• 90% of the sales of small businesses involve at least some seller financing.  It may be unrealistic to expect to receive a lump sum payment, yet financing can be tricky, as agreeing to a long period of payments entails the same type of risk as owning the business and depends on the business' future success.*

* National Small Business Association
** LIMRA International, Small Business Owners 2005 Report