BEYOND THE ESOP: EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP OPTIONS FOR MAIN STREET AMERICA; PRESENTED BY STACEY SMITH
Employee ownership is not a one-size-fits-all strategy, and an ESOP may not be the right fit for every business owner. For Main Street America, however, there are other ways to transition ownership, reward employees, preserve a business legacy, and create a path to succession. This presentation explores the spectrum of employee ownership options available to privately held businesses, including alternatives to traditional ESOPs. Designed for multidisciplinary advisors, the discussion will compare and contrast how different structures may align with a business owner's goals, financial realities, workforce, and exit timeline. Attendees will gain a broader perspective on how employee ownership can fit into succession planning, business continuity, and wealth transfer conversations—and how advisors can help owners recognize opportunities they may not know exist.
Learning Objectives:
1. Identify employee ownership pathways beyond ESOPs, including alternatives that may be more accessible or appropriate for small and midsize businesses.
2. Recognize the factors that influence the right ownership structure, including business size, financial capacity, owner objectives, employee readiness, and succession timelines.
3. Evaluate how employee ownership can support business transition goals, including continuity, legacy preservation, employee retention, and owner liquidity.
4. Integrate employee ownership into multidisciplinary advisory conversations by identifying planning opportunities, recognizing when specialized expertise is needed, and helping business owners explore options before a transition becomes urgent.
About the Presenter:
Hear from industry expert Stacey Smith.
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Who Should Attend?
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Attorneys
You have close relationships with clients, and can benefit from being the first advisor to introduce the idea of exit planning.
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CPAs/Accountants
Owners participating in the State of Owner Readiness research continue to indicate that you are the No. 1 "Most Trusted Advisor." You are a natural fit to lead the exit planning team and deepen your relationship (and retention) of next generation owners.
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Wealth Managers
You’re a skilled relationship person. Being entangled into your clients’ professional lives matters as you build a strategy to manage their wealth upon them harvesting it from their business. Exit planning allows you to build a deeper relationship with your client, expands your COI network, while giving you an early seat at table well before the liquidity event.
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Financial Advisors
One of the critical ‘legs of the stool’ is personal financing planning. An owner must have a strong financial plan & contingency plan post-transition to enable them to thrive in the next act of the lives personally and financially. Exit planning brings this future mindset into the present. Exit is now.
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Valuation Analysts
Valuation is both a billable engagement AND an opportunity to provide owners some perspective on how to accelerate value drivers (and deal with value killers). Use exit planning to make that valuation into a longer term value acceleration engagement.
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Investment Bankers
Only 2 of every 10 businesses that come to market actually sell. Learn how exit planning can bring attractive AND ready business to your purview.
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Estate Planners
Exit planning is a natural fit for estate planners who want to operate more holistically with their owner clients.
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Strategic Consultants
One of the most critical roles in exit planning is building transferable value. Strategic consultants have the ability to expand options and drive rapid business value that affect performance today.
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Insurance Professionals
Exit planning addresses the 5 D's. So do you. Approach the risk conversation differently with exit planning.
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Mergers & Acquisition Advisors
Proper exit planning causes less deals to fall through at the last minute. Connect with CEPAs to build your healthy deal flow network.
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Commercial Lenders
One of the best relationships a business owner makes is with their banker. How can you help your corporate clients think about the future and ensure financial continuity? Answer: exit planning.
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Family Business Advisors
More than 50% of lower middle market business owners would prefer to transition to the next generation. Help them succeed with exit planning strategies.
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Other Professional Advisors
Regardless of your unique specialty, there is seat at the exit planning table for you. Learn more at www.EarnCEPA.com.
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Private Business Owners
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Members of Family Business Boards
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Professional Advisors
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Business Consultants
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Other Business Professionals
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Business Owners
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Business Owners & Their Trusted Advisors
EXIT PLANNING IS GOOD BUSINESS STRATEGY
The Exit Planning Institute, provides Financial Advisors, Accountants, Consultants, and other advisors of business owners with the critical education to differentiate themselves and add value to their existing client relationships through a credential, conference, courses, and content. Download the CEPA brochure for more information.