Monday, September 10, 2012

What’s your exit strategy?



George Bryan plans to create a business
to give himself a comfortable retirement


Golf pro George Bryan came to see me last week.
George has been a friend more than 20 years.
He writes our newspaper’s weekly golf column.
George is a PGA teaching professional.
He has a thriving golf academy.
He teaches golfers of almost every age.
It's fun teaching others to enjoy the game.

He’s started a new golf-related business.
His goal is to make it profitable - and sellable.
Selling it is a path to a comfortable retirement.

Do many of us start businesses that way?
If we don't, it’s a major mistake.
We are excited about creating a business.
We think about the now - not the distant future.
We need to look down the road for an exit.
None of us will live forever.
But a successful business can outlive us.
Family businesses last through generations.

All of us work hard, long hours.
What do we want to do in retirement?
Run our businesses or enjoy family time?
Without an exit strategy, we may have no options.

Our VIP Club discussed this last week.
Two of our members are building new businesses.
The questions on the table were these:

1. How long will you run your business?
2. What do you want to do in retirement?
3. How do you prepare for Option 2.

I’m as guilty of such myopia is anyone.
I love publishing books and newspapers.
I love coaching and helping business owners.
My wife and I have built profitable businesses.
We have developed a great team to help us.
We no longer work 90-hour weeks.
We spend time together traveling.
Being with my wife is the best thing in life.
Now we are planning our exit strategy.
If you are not doing this, now’s the time.

Special offer for my readers

We’re raising money for literacy tutoring.
Our immediate goal is a modest $10,000.
Our local tutoring program needs it.
Sales of my books goes to this cause.

Here’s an irresistible (I hope) offer:
Autographed copies of my books for $20 each.
• "Lead People, Manage Things" on leadership.
• "Your Life’s Great Purpose" on pursuing yours.
• "Killer Secrets of Successful Entrepreneurs".
This book contains 22 great success stories.
You’ll learn 22 entrepreneurs’ success secrets.
For a $50 donation, you get all three books.
These books will enrich your life.
Won’t you help teach others to read?
Just email me at JerryBellune@yahoo.com