Your Trusted Business Owner & Exit Planning Advisors

Helping business owners across the United States

PLANNING BEYOND THE BUSINESS

Your business may be one of your greatest assets. We help make sure your personal financial plan grows alongside it.

PREPARING FOR WHAT’S NEXT

Whether a transition is years away or already on your mind, we help you plan for a future sale, succession, or retirement.

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR EXIT

From tax considerations to investing sale proceeds, we help coordinate the financial pieces so you’re prepared for life after the business.

You’ve built the business.
Now let’s plan for what’s next.

Owning a business is rewarding, but it also comes with unique financial challenges.

As an entrepreneur, much of your personal wealth may be tied to your business, making it one of your most valuable assets.

Whether you’re planning to sell your business in the next few years, transition ownership to family, or simply want to be prepared for whatever comes next, we’re here to help you think through the financial side of the journey.

At O’Keefe Stevens Advisory, we work with business owners before, during, and after an ownership transition to help ensure personal finances, retirement goals, tax planning, and estate planning all work together.


How O’Keefe Stevens Advisory Can Help

Planning Before the Sale

The best time to start planning for an exit is long before you’re ready to leave your business. We help business owners evaluate financial goals, retirement readiness, and strategies that can help position them for a successful transition.

Building Your Personal Financial Plan

Many entrepreneurs spend years investing in their business while putting personal financial planning on the back burner. We help create a comprehensive financial plan that complements your business success and prepares you for life after ownership.


Coordination with Your Professional Team

Selling or transitioning a business often involves accountants, attorneys, valuation specialists, lenders, and other professionals. We work alongside your advisory team to help ensure financial decisions remain aligned throughout the process.


Preparing for Retirement

For many business owners, selling a company is the event that funds retirement. We help clients evaluate income needs, investment strategies, tax considerations, and long-term financial goals before and after the sale.

Tax-Aware Planning

Business transitions can create significant tax implications. While we do not provide tax advice, we work closely with your CPA to help evaluate strategies that may support tax-efficient financial planning before and after a sale.


Investing the Proceeds

After years of building a successful business, receiving the proceeds from a sale can feel overwhelming. We help clients develop an investment strategy designed to support retirement, future income needs, charitable goals, and family legacy planning.


More Than Just an Exit Strategy

Exit planning isn’t only about selling a business. It’s about preparing for the next chapter of your life. Whether you’re hoping to retire, spend more time with family, start another venture, or simply enjoy the freedom you’ve worked so hard to achieve, we’ll help you create a financial plan that supports what’s next.


Let’s Start Planning

Whether you’re years away from an ownership transition or actively preparing for one, we’re here to help you make informed decisions with confidence.

Selling Your Business is a Team Approach

Let us help you with the details you might not be considering.

Frequently Asked Questions: Business Owner & Exit Planning


When should I begin planning for the sale of my business?

Ideally, several years before you expect to sell. Starting early provides more opportunities to strengthen your financial position, coordinate with your professional advisors, and prepare for life after the business.

Do I need to have a buyer before meeting with a financial advisor?

Not at all. Many clients begin working with us years before they plan to exit so we can help prepare both their business transition strategy and personal financial plan.

Do you help determine the value of my business?

We do not perform business valuations, but we work closely with valuation professionals and other advisors to help clients understand how the value of their business fits into their overall financial picture.

Can you work with my CPA and attorney?

Absolutely. Business owners often have a team of trusted professionals, and we believe collaboration leads to better outcomes. We’re happy to coordinate with your CPA, attorney, valuation expert, or other advisors throughout the planning process.

What happens after I sell my business?

That’s where financial planning becomes especially important. We help clients develop an investment strategy, create a retirement income plan, evaluate tax considerations, and integrate the proceeds into their long-term financial plan.

I don’t plan to retire soon. Is exit planning still important?

Yes. Even if retirement is years away, having an exit strategy can provide flexibility and help ensure you’re prepared if an unexpected opportunity—or life event—arises.

How does exit planning fit into retirement planning?

For many entrepreneurs, the sale of their business represents the largest source of retirement income. We help clients understand how the value of their business fits into their retirement goals and long-term financial security.

Do you only work with business owners who are selling?

No. We work with business owners throughout every stage of their journey, from building personal wealth while growing the business to preparing for future ownership transitions.

What other planning services should business owners consider?

Business owners often benefit from tax planning, estate planning, charitable planning, retirement planning, insurance reviews, and succession planning. We help coordinate these areas into one comprehensive financial strategy.

How do I get started?

The first step is simply having a conversation. We’ll discuss your business, your personal financial goals, and where you hope to be in the future. From there, we can help develop a plan that supports both your business and your life beyond it.

Words from Our Clients

“Your research continues to make us very confident and comfortable in O’Keefe Stevens as our financial advisors.”

— Kristine and Michael

Contact Us Today

Disclosure: O’Keefe Stevens Advisory does not provide legal advice or prepare legal documents. Estate planning services are provided in coordination with qualified legal professionals. Clients should consult with an attorney regarding their individual legal needs.