Selling or Transitioning a Business

If you are selling or transitioning a business, you’re making one of the most significant and personal decisions a business owner can make. Whether you’re preparing for retirement, exploring new ventures, or helping ensure your company continues to thrive under new leadership, it’s important to plan carefully and understand the full range of your options.

Every business, and every owner, is unique. The best strategy depends on many factors, including your investment goals, tax considerations, family dynamics, and the long-term vision for the company. Taking the time to explore your options early can help you achieve a smoother transition and the best possible outcome, both for you and your business.

Understanding your options

When it comes to selling or transitioning a business, there are several paths to consider. You might sell to a third party, transfer ownership to family members, or create an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). Each approach carries different implications for valuation, control, taxation, and timing. Having a clear understanding of these differences helps you make informed decisions that align with your investment objectives and personal values.

Planning with confidence

A well-designed transition plan does more than facilitate a sale or transfer ownership, it helps you define what success looks like after the transaction. That may include securing your retirement income, helping ensure your employees’ stability, or preserving the business legacy you’ve built over the years. We can help you assess your goals, model various scenarios, and identify strategies to help protect your wealth throughout the process.

Guidance from specialized professionals

We have access to a team of business owner advisory specialists who work alongside us to provide tailored support. These professionals can help weigh your options, evaluate potential buyers or successors, and assist in managing through the many complex aspects of a business transition. By coordinating with your legal, accounting, and tax advisors, we strive to create a cohesive plan that serves your long-term interests.

Let’s start the conversation

Preparing to sell or transition a business is not something to navigate alone. The right guidance can make all the difference. My team and I are here to help you preserve what you’ve built, achieve your investment goals, and move forward with confidence.

Wells Fargo & Company and its affiliates do not provide tax or legal advice. This communication cannot be relied upon to avoid tax penalties. Please consult your tax and legal advisors to determine how this information may apply to your own situation. Whether any planned tax result is realized by you depends on the specific facts of your own situation at the time your tax return is filed.

Johnny Daswani

Financial Advisor

As a Financial Advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors, I can offer you a wide range of services, from helping you select individual investments to developing a retirement plan. With access to a broad array of resources - including Wells Fargo Investment Institute research analysts and economic and market strategists - I can help you make informed investment decisions based on your specific needs.

Contact me if you'd like me to help you develop strategies for pursuing your financial goals.

Wells Fargo Investment Institute, Inc. is a registered investment adviser and wholly-owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., a bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

Business Services

  • Insurance is valuable for employees and owners.
  • Owners get to retire, too.
  • You can begin planning now for retirement, selling your company, or the event of your death. 

Wells Fargo Advisors provides products and services, available through your Financial Advisor, that help you manage your assets and plan for the future. 


Customized products and services for business owners 

We are committed to helping you maximize the success and profitability of your business. Our specialized products and services can help give your business the cash flow and support it needs to thrive. 

Some of the services we offer and can assist with include: 

Employee benefit plans and packages

A competitive employee benefit package helps you attract and keep employees, regardless of the size of your company.  

Business owner life insurance

As a business owner, it’s important to consider both replacing the income your family depends on, and also providing funds to pay off business-related liabilities.  

Funding a buy-sell agreement

If your business has more than one owner, you need to understand the risks you may face if one of you dies unexpectedly. A buy-sell agreement sets up how ownership of the business may be transferred if one owner dies.

Key person life insurance

Proceeds from this type of business insurance can help offset the loss of sales your business would experience or expenses it may incur if a key person dies. 

Succession planning and business exit strategies

It can be helpful to start the succession planning and exit strategy process many years in advance. 

  • Selling a business: There are many options to consider in both the sale and how you will generate income after the sale.
  • Transferring the business to a family member: There are a variety of succession planning strategies you can use to transfer the business to a family member 


Next steps 

  • Make an appointment with us to talk about your business needs.
  • Talk with your family or partners about insurance or succession planning.
  • Check the beneficiary designations on your financial and investment accounts.


Insurance products are offered through nonbank insurance agency affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company and are underwritten by unaffiliated insurance companies.