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
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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.

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