Article

Keep Sight of Personal Priorities

Keeping Sight of Your Personal Priorities

As a business owner, you can often lose sight of your personal priorities and goals as you invest the much-needed time and energy to grow and develop your company. Here are some ideas that might help you keep sight of your original hopes of achieving financial independence by owning your own business.

July 11, 2024
Keeping Sight of Your Personal Priorities
Important Disclosure: Content on our website and in our newsletters is for informational purposes only. The information provided may (or may not) directly apply to your situation. We recommend that readers work directly with a professional advisor when making decisions in the context of their specific situation.

In the rush of daily business activities, business owners­ can lose sight of what they had originally hoped to accomplish through their continuous efforts. Over time, as the business grows, personal objectives may also change. When was the last time you stopped to reevaluate your personal priorities and goals? Here are some key areas to consider.

Building Wealth

Many business owners become so engrossed in company operations that they inadvertently neglect their personal finances, particularly when most of their liquid assets are tied up in the business. To achieve financial independence and build personal wealth, it is important to make personal savings a priority. By conducting regular financial reviews and taking follow-up action as needed, you can develop strategies that will help strengthen your personal finances.

Preparing for Retirement

Many tax-deferred, qualified retirement savings vehicles, such as simplified employee pension plans (SEPs) or 401(k) plans, are available to business owners and their employees. The size of a company, along with the ages and salaries of its employees, often determine which type of retirement plan is most appropriate. In addition, nonqualified plans allow business owners to provide selective retirement benefits for themselves and their key employees.

Developing an Exit Strategy

Will your small business be marketable if and when you decide to sell? Develop an exit strategy that will help maintain the value of your business should you choose—or be forced by circumstance—to sell.

Keeping it in the family. Your company may be a closely held business, operated by more than one family member. If you wish to keep your company in the family, it is important to learn about transfer tax issues and to develop a business succession plan that will help secure your long-term goals.

Stay Focused

As your company grows and develops, remember to set your personal priorities, especially as they change over time. Annual reviews can help ensure that your business operations are consistent with your overall objectives.

Other content you may like

  • Strong Valley financial advisors Chris Conner, Adam Tirapelle, Jason Rankin and Kyle Trippel sit down for a podcast.

    First Half Market Recap - Mid-Quarter Roundtable 2025Q2 - Highlight 1

    June 25, 2025
    The team reviews 2025: April’s sharp sell-off, a full rebound, bond gains, commodities drift, and the round-trip from panic. They frame volatility as a reminder that diversification—not hot-stock chasing—carries retirees safely through headline storms.
    Read this Article
  • Crafting a Rich Life in Retirement

    July 8, 2024
    To live a rich retirement life, begin with envisioning what brings you joy and fulfillment. From there you can use these strategies to maximize the assets you have. By focusing on what matters most to you, you can combine your financial goals with a plan that works to ensure that your retirement years are not just comfortable, but truly enriched with the beauty and depth of life’s experiences.
    Read this Article
  • Podcast Highlight - Client Questions: Buying vs Renting

    November 30, 2023
    The Strong Valley Team attempts to give practical answers to a common question, “Should I try my hardest to buy a home or does it make sense to rent and save money?”
    Read this Article
  • 4 Common 401k Mistakes to Avoid

    Four Common 401(k) Mistakes to Avoid

    August 10, 2021
    When you choose your investments, you want to get the most you can out of your 401(k) by allocating your money towards high returns and a balanced portfolio. While there is no one-size fits all, avoiding these four mistakes is a good start for your 401(k) plan.
    Read this Article
  • The link you have selected is located on another server. The linked site contains information that has been created, published, maintained, or otherwise posted by institutions or organizations independent of this organization. We do not endorse, approve, certify, or control any linked websites, their sponsors, or any of their policies, activities, products, or services. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information contained therein. Visitors to any linked websites should not use or rely on the information contained therein until they have consulted with an independent financial professional. Please click “Continue to Link” to leave this website and proceed to the selected site.
    phone-handset