Celebrate Small Business Week With A Long-Term Plan To Build Value

Small Business Week celebrates entrepreneurship.

It’s also one of the best times to reflect on the long-term future of your business, including your exit strategy.

That may sound counterintuitive. When your business is thriving and momentum is high, it’s natural to feel that stepping away is the last thing you should think about. But every owner eventually has to transition, whether by choice or circumstance. Market shifts, personal changes, health concerns, or unexpected life events can force an exit long before you feel ready. Thinking about it may be uncomfortable, but delaying the process can jeopardize your legacy, your financial wellbeing, and the stability of the people who depend on your leadership.

Many owners experience their wake-up call only after something goes wrong — a failed acquisition caused by lack of readiness, a partner’s illness, or discovering that the business is more fragile than expected. These moments reveal how essential it is to build sustainability long before an exit becomes urgent.

Taking the first step

Recognizing the need for an exit strategy can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be driven by fear. In fact, it can be an empowering process.

As Stephen Covey famously said,

“Begin with the end in mind.”

The same principle holds true in business. How do you want your business to function after you step back? What would continuity look like for your team, clients, and family? What would it take to build something strong enough to endure beyond you?

Your exit is more than a transaction. It’s the set of decisions and structures that preserve value, strengthen operations, and position your business for long-term success. Even if your exit is years away, forming the strategy today can sharpen your focus and guide better decisions in the present.

If the process feels overwhelming, start smaller. A contingency plan is an excellent entry point — the business equivalent of drafting a will. Ask yourself: What would happen if you couldn’t work tomorrow? What if a key system failed or a major disruption hit your industry? How would operations continue?

A contingency plan reduces risk, protects value, and gives you the foundation to build a complete exit strategy when you’re ready. Small Business Week is the perfect moment to take that first step — and ensure your business grows, transitions, and thrives for the long run.