As a business owner, you are used to putting in the hard work. You have molded the company into what it is today by getting involved in handling all areas of the business, fulfilling every role along the way. This is fantastic for business, but for your personal life and finances, not so much.
When you are running your business, you are focused on the business. You want the processes to flow smoothly. You want your business to grow. You want to make sure things like customer satisfaction and brand awareness are headed in the right direction. That leaves little time for anything else. And, the truth is, your personal financial situation can suffer.
Planning For the Future
While you are busy focusing on your business, life is still going on. You are still getting older and your family is probably growing and changing, too. Your business is hopefully going to be a part of your future, but there is always the risk of the unknown. Just consider all that has happened due to COVID-19 and how it impacted so many business owners in ways they never could have imagined. In an instant, pandemics, natural disasters, recessions and more can take it all away. Then what?
You must have a plan for your future, including getting your personal finances in order so that you have some sense of financial security aside from your business. A financial advisor can help you effectively prioritize planning for your future – with a focus on you, not your business.
Below are a few ways in which a financial advisor can help.
Managing Risk
Whether you started your business from nothing or took over a business, you likely know all about taking risks. In fact, you probably don’t even see them as a big deal. But it is when it comes to your financial health.
When you combine the thrill of risk-taking and the optimistic outlook for business success, owners don’t usually do well with managing finances. Planning is important – and winging it is not an option.
Selling the Business to Fund Retirement
Many business owners spend their lives building up a business assuming that one day when they are ready, they will sell it and live off the proceeds in addition to any Social Security they have earned. However, this is not a dependable plan at all.
There is no concrete proof that your business will successfully sell to another buyer. And even if it does, who knows how much your business will be worth at that time – it may not be enough to help you get by.
These unknowns should be enough to convince you that you need to start planning for a secure future today with a financial advisor. As you keep busy with the day-to-day demands of your business, your trusted investment advisor can be working to help you achieve your financial goals for retirement.
Professional Experience
Your retirement planning is not something that should be taken lightly. There are some things you can learn from the internet. Then, there are those things you should not risk believing because you read it on the internet – and financial planning advice is one of them.
Don’t leave your future to chance because you read an article on a website. There is no replacement for the education and experience that financial advisors have. Markets and laws are always changing and you need someone who can help you navigate through them, protecting you and managing your risk every step along the way.
Are you willing to undergo a medical procedure done by someone who reads how to do it online? No – you want a trained doctor. Financial advisors have been trained with the skills and the knowledge to provide prudent investment guidance to help you prepare for retirement.
Mistakes Can Be Expensive
The traits most business owners possess – risk-taking, confidence, and optimism – may cause you to make riskier investments than necessary. Unfortunately, financial mistakes you make due to impulsive moves can be costly.
A financial advisor will bring an objective, well-thought-out strategy that should include benefits such as:
- Creating a customized plan to help you meet your financial goals.
- Working with your tax professional to manage tax liabilities now and in the future.
- Collaborating with your attorney to create an estate plan.
- Developing a retirement plan.
- Providing investment guidance and coaching to keep you on track.
- Organizing your financial life to free up more time for yourself and growing your business.
Working with a professional financial advisor just makes good business sense. And, as a business owner, that’s something you can appreciate. ICC has been providing wealth management services to business owners for decades. To learn more, visit www.ICCNV.com.
