Business owners who wait too long to plan their exit risk losing value, so starting early is the smart move.

• Most owners put off exit planning until far later than they should.
• Without a plan, a business ends up leaning too heavily on the owner, which makes it hard to hand off.
• Options like selling to employees or handing over to new leadership can take years to set up properly.
• Owners often think their business is worth more than buyers do — buyers look at profits, operations, and growth potential.
• Knowing what the business is worth today gives owners time to build that value up before they sell.

Outlook: Owners who start planning years ahead will have more choices and a stronger price when they finally step away.