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Features and Events

Featured
Asset Sale vs. Stock Sale: Who Really Pays the Tax
Asset Sale vs. Stock Sale: Who Really Pays the Tax

When you sell, you want to sell stock. Stock sales generally produce long-term capital gains, taxed at the lower rate. A buyer’s request to treat your sale as an asset deal can cost you millions. See why 2026 raised the stakes — and how to charge your buyer for it.

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Earnouts: The Part of Your Price You Might Never See 
Earnouts: The Part of Your Price You Might Never See 

Earnouts can make up a large share of your sale price, but the buyer controls the business after closing. Learn four protections to negotiate before you sign the letter of intent.

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Why A Valuation Takes So Long and Costs So Much?
Why A Valuation Takes So Long and Costs So Much?

A professional business valuation is more than a number. See the nine steps inside a real valuation, why it often takes four to eight weeks, and what the fee buys you.

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TEN MISTAKES OWNERS MAKE WHEN SELLING THEIR BUSINESS
TEN MISTAKES OWNERS MAKE WHEN SELLING THEIR BUSINESS

Selling your business? Learn the 10 costly mistakes owners make at exit — and how to prepare before you sit down with a buyer.

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Blogs

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David Thought His Advisors Would Handle Everything
David Thought His Advisors Would Handle Everything

He Built His Company Over 25 years — Then Felt Like a Guest in His Own Business Exit.

David assumed his CPA would handle numbers and his lawyer the documents. Then the meetings started and everyone had an opinion. He stopped trying to look smart and started trying to get clear: he found his real number, looked at the business through a buyer's eyes, learned the terms. He went from overwhelmed to prepared — and sold from strength.

Would you rather learn how selling works BEFORE a buyer shows up, or after?

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How to Stop Feeling Dumb in Exit Planning Meetings
How to Stop Feeling Dumb in Exit Planning Meetings

You built a real company. So why do smart owners feel stupid the moment they sit with a banker or buyer?

You made payroll. You won customers. You survived recessions.

But the room changes — suddenly it's all LOI, EBITDA, earnouts.

You should NOT already know this.

4 steps to protect yourself:

1) Ask advisors to explain in plain English.

2) Keep a list of words you don't know.

3) Know your number before they tell you theirs.

4) Make them explain the tradeoff.

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The 5 Categories That Decide If You're Ready to Sell
The 5 Categories That Decide If You're Ready to Sell

Discover the five exit readiness categories—financial readiness, operational independence, deal structure awareness, personal readiness, and market position—to decide if you’re truly ready to sell your business

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How Can I Transfer Wealth to My Kids and Avoid Gift Tax?
How Can I Transfer Wealth to My Kids and Avoid Gift Tax?

A Minor’s Trust is one solution! This trust allows you to gift assets for the benefit of a minor child while ensuring that a designated trustee correctly handles the trust until the child is 21.

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Learning Videos

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Retention Bonuses Explained: What Founders Should Consider
Retention Bonuses Explained: What Founders Should Consider

Retention bonuses are often used to motivate and retain key employees — especially during periods of growth or transition. In this video, Wayne Zell explains how retention bonuses work, when business owners consider them, and how incentive decisions can quietly affect taxes, culture, and long-term planning outcomes. This content is educational and intended to help entrepreneurs think strategically about compensation decisions before they create unintended consequences.

Retention bonuses are often used to motivate and retain key employees — especially during periods of growth or transition. In this video, Wayne Zell explains how retention bonuses work, when business owners consider them, and how incentive decisions can quietly affect taxes, culture, and long-term planning outcomes. This content is educational and intended to help entrepreneurs think strategically about compensation decisions before they create unintended consequences.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal or financial advice. Consult with qualified professionals before implementing employee incentive programs.

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Letter of Intent (LOI)| What Every Business Owner Must Know Before Selling
Letter of Intent (LOI)| What Every Business Owner Must Know Before Selling

Curious about Letters of Intent (LOIs) and what makes up their essential components?

Think of the LOI as the engagement phase of a business sale — serious intent, but not yet a binding marriage.

Are you preparing to sell your business or exploring an acquisition? Understanding the Letter of Intent (LOI) is one of the most important early steps in any business transaction.

In this video, we explain what a Letter of Intent is, how it works in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and what business owners need to watch for before signing. You’ll learn the difference between binding and non-binding provisions, how purchase price and payment terms are structured, and why exclusivity, confidentiality, and non-solicitation clauses matter.

We also break down:
• Asset purchase vs. stock purchase structure
• Due diligence following the LOI
• Exclusivity periods (and why buyers insist on them)
• What happens if the deal does not close
• How the LOI leads to the definitive purchase agreement

Think of the LOI as the engagement phase of a business sale — serious intent, but not yet a binding marriage.

If you're serious about maximizing value when you exit your company, understanding the LOI is critical.

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Why Every Entrepreneur Needs an Exit Plan...Now
Why Every Entrepreneur Needs an Exit Plan...Now

Ever wondered what would happen to your business if you faced an unexpected crisis?

Maybe it's a health issue,

sudden market changes,

or even a partner’s departure.

Without an exit plan, these events can create chaos, risking everything you've worked for.

Discover why every entrepreneur needs an exit plan—now. Learn how unexpected crises like health issues, market shifts, or a partner’s departure can impact your business, and why making an exit strategy is more than just retirement planning. Get essential steps and documents to protect your vision, empower your team, reassure investors, and secure your legacy. Start early and ensure your business is prepared for any surprise.

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Family Holding Company - How Business Owners Use Them (and When They Backfire)
Family Holding Company - How Business Owners Use Them (and When They Backfire)

Family holding companies can be powerful tools for business owners — but they are often misunderstood. In this episode of Blueprint for Wealth, Wayne Zell explains how family holding companies are commonly used in family businesses, where entrepreneurs run into trouble, and why early structure decisions tend to shape tax efficiency, governance, and long-term flexibility.

Family holding companies can be powerful tools for business owners — but they are often misunderstood. In this episode of Blueprint for Wealth, Wayne Zell explains how family holding companies are commonly used in family businesses, where entrepreneurs run into trouble, and why early structure decisions tend to shape tax efficiency, governance, and long-term flexibility.

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