Leading a Business and Planning for the Future
When Michelle, a 52-year-old managing partner of a successful architecture firm, came to Avondale Wealth Advisors, she had already built an impressive business. Her firm was growing steadily, valued at $3 million, and she owned 70% of the company. While growth was strong, Michelle was beginning to consider the long-term - how to plan for a future transition, protect the value she had created, and ensure her family’s financial life was fully aligned with her business decisions.
Her husband, David, a high school teacher, had recently inherited $2.5 million from his parents - now grown to $3 million. Together, they were focused on managing their growing wealth, preparing for retirement, and supporting their adult children and grandchild. The complexity of combining business ownership, multiple income streams, investments, and legacy planning had grown - and they knew they wanted a more integrated approach.
Avondale stepped in with the knowledge and structure Michelle needed. With our Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation, we guided her through the development of a business succession and transition strategy that reflected her timeline, her team, and her long-term goals. We also coordinated with their CPA and estate planning attorney to help align the financial, tax, and legal elements.
For David, we designed a charitable giving strategy to better align with the family’s values and existing contributions, while focusing on the financial impact. On the personal side, we helped them assess risk across all assets, rebalance their investments to reflect their current stage of life, and create a retirement income strategy that aligned with both their personal and business finances.
The result is a thoughtful, well-structured plan that supports Michelle’s business now and prepares for a successful transition later - while also supporting their family’s evolving needs.
From Surprised to Strategic: Preparing for a Business Sale
The Harrison family had spent decades building their company from the ground up. As they began thinking about retirement and stepping back from day-to-day operations, they took the first logical step: hiring a business broker and engaging with potential private equity buyers.
They believed their company was worth around $3 million based on revenue, client relationships, and years of hard work. But when the broker returned with a valuation closer to $750,000, they were stunned.
That moment changed everything.
At Avondale Wealth Advisors, we stepped in to help the Harrisons understand what drives business value from a buyer’s perspective - and how to plan for the sale they actually wanted, not the one they were being offered.
With our Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) expertise, we started by helping them secure a formal, objective business valuation. From there, we worked together to build a multi-year plan focused on increasing key value drivers: recurring revenue, operational efficiency, documented processes, and reducing dependency on the owners. We also introduced them to a network of professionals to help with systems upgrades, legal cleanup, and financial reporting enhancements.
As their advisory partner, we aligned their business growth strategy with their personal financial goals - creating a pathway to a higher valuation and a more successful exit. We also helped them build out their personal financial plan, including retirement income strategy, tax mitigation, and estate planning.
Today, the Harrisons are still involved in their company - but now with a clear strategy for growth, transition, and eventual sale on their terms. The gap between where they started and where they’re headed didn’t close overnight - but it closed with intention, planning, and the right guidance.
