Hitting a Nerve

I’ve written many, many articles over the past decades. In fact, I often wonder if anyone is reading them.

Then, along comes an article I wrote that clearly hit a nerve (in a good way!), because I’ve never gotten the kind of response I have with this article.

I’ve received multiple emails, commenting on my article and asking great questions. My LinkedIn engagement for this newsletter is high and seems to really get women thinking.

Not long after I published the article, I joined a small group of women business owners who had formed a ‘pod’ from our bigger networking group. I knew a few of the women and was excited to meet those I didn’t know yet. Fifteen minutes into the meeting, one of those new faces held up a full-color printing of my article, encouraging everyone to read it!

If you haven’t read it yet, see if it resonates with you: Women Don’t Retire  You can do that now - I’ll wait…
 

Today’s Question:

What will it take for you to think of your eventual business exit as a ‘purposeful transition’? Can you rewrite the standard ‘retirement’ narrative and embrace a new paradigm that recognizes your value and contribution, regardless of age?

But Here’s the Twist . . .

This purposeful transition can be a new beginning. You’ve worked hard to build your business and weather the storms.

But when you are ready to exit your business, you're transitioning a piece of your identity. If you are like me, your business is an embodiment of your passion, hard work, and aspirations.

It’s a mistake to overlook the emotional component of exiting your business. The stakes are high, and you will likely experience doubt, fear, confusion, frustration, and even anger.

That’s why having a roadmap from the very beginning is crucial. The most important part is knowing what you want your life to look like before, during, and after your exit. Your roadmap will evolve over time but provides guideposts that keep you grounded and in control.

The roadmap is the first step to an Elegant Exit™. Your exit can lead to wealth if you choose to sell your company, but what brought you here won’t get you there.

An Elegant Exit™ requires a new way of thinking and new skills, starting with your roadmap.

Now What?

What will your purposeful transition look like? Even if it is 5-10 years down the line, the time to prepare is now.

Intentionally building value and positioning your company for your exit is a solid business strategy. While you are planning your transition, you will make more money, lift the burden of the business from your shoulders, and find balance between work and leisure.

With that said, it concerns me that very few women are planning for this major life transition: their business exit. That leaves your life’s work, your impact, and your legacy in the hands of fate.

At some point, you will exit your business, whether it’s voluntary or not. If you needed to step away from your business today, due to a health problem or a family issue, would your company fall apart?

I’ll challenge you with this question: how can you bring the simplicity and elegance of the little black dress to a life-changing transition, like your business exit?

I firmly believe – and have built my business around – the idea that business success and wealth in the hands of women elevates society as a whole.

An Elegant Exit™ requires a new way of thinking and new skills, a great team of advisors, and an advocate on your side who can integrate all those filters into a cohesive vision.

Discover your Exit Readiness Index™ with this assessment: http://she-exits.com/

What will it take for you to think of your eventual business exit as a ‘purposeful transition’?

I'd love to hear what you think.  I read and respond to every email personally.