Every business owner will eventually transition out of their business by choice or circumstance. At hfco, we guide you through transition options, timing, and post-transition outcomes so you can make clear, confident decisions.
Transitioning a business is not a single decision—it is a series of interconnected choices that affect value, timing, leadership, tax outcomes, and your personal future.
Before you can plan where you are going, it helps to understand where you stand today. Our transition readiness assessment gives you an honest picture of your current position and what needs to happen to achieve your goals.
By Hal Levenson, Partner & Chief Visionary Officer There’s a startling statistic out there for us baby boomers. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2017 National Population Projections, all baby boomers will be older than...
Transitioning leadership within family-owned businesses is a pivotal moment that can determine the future success and longevity of the enterprise. Identifying who among the next generation is ready and willing to take the helm, and...
At some point, every business owner considers their exit, whether it’s selling to a third party, passing the business on to the next generation, or bringing in an investor. But achieving the best possible valuation...
For many family-business owners, the question “What happens next?” looms large as retirement, health, or changing priorities enter the picture. Choosing among selling, merging, or passing the business to the next generation is more than...
Some business owners mistakenly believe that selling their company is a quick process, similar to a running a sprint. However, selling a business is more like a marathon, requiring significant time and careful planning. Think...
Have you ever wondered why fire trucks always back into the fire hall instead of pulling in head-first like most vehicles? The reason is simple: it’s all about being prepared for quick action. By backing...
Earlier than most owners think. In many cases, meaningful transition outcomes allow for three or more years of planning. Value improvement, leadership development, tax planning, and buyer readiness all take time to optimize.
Succession planning focuses on who will take over leadership and ownership of the business. Exit planning is broader and includes all possible transition paths—family succession, internal transfer, third-party sale, ESOPs, or hybrid structures—along with timing, valuation, tax strategy, and post-transition planning. hfco supports all of these approaches.
We take a comprehensive view: business value and transferability, leadership readiness, continuity of operations, stakeholder alignment, tax and financial implications, and your personal goals for life after transition.
Yes. We regularly work as part of a coordinated advisory team that may include attorneys, CPAs, financial planners, valuation and M&A advisors, and other specialists.
Whether you are beginning to think about what comes after ownership or working toward a transition in the near term, our advisors work directly with you to build a comprehensive plan that addresses the financial, structural, and personal dimensions of stepping back on your terms.
