Every business owner eventually faces the question of how to exit. This article outlines 8 exit strategies for business owners—from selling to a third party or passing the company to family, to ESOPs and liquidation. Understanding your options, along with valuation, tax, and timing considerations, can help you plan a transition that protects both your wealth and your legacy.

Business owners often believe their investments are diversified — until their own business undermines that assumption. True diversification means mixing assets with different risk behaviors, understanding correlation, and factoring your business’s risk profile into your portfolio. When you treat your business as part of your broader financial picture, you can better manage risk and avoid putting all your eggs in one basket.