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Episode Notes

What would happen to your business if you were gone tomorrow?

Most entrepreneurs pour everything into building their business—but almost none plan for what happens next. What if you got sick? What if you wanted to retire? Or, what if you suddenly had the opportunity to sell for life-changing money but weren’t prepared?

In this episode of Buried in Work, Wayne Zell, CEO of Zell Law, exit planning expert, and author of Your Multimillion Dollar Exit, to talk about the one thing most entrepreneurs ignore until it’s too late—how to build a business that can survive (and thrive) without you.

Wayne has helped business owners save millions, protect their families, and walk away from their companies on their own terms. And today, he’s sharing those secrets with you.

Key Takeaways

• Exit planning isn’t just about selling

  —it’s about protecting your legacy, your employees, and your family.

• The best time to plan your exit is now, no matter where you are in your business journey.
• A business without a succession plan is a risky business. If something happens to you, does your company have a clear path forward?
• Don’t rely on a DIY will or estate plan. Your business is too valuable to leave up to a template—get expert help.
• Think beyond money. Culture, employees, and long-term growth should all be considered when planning your exit.

Show Links

• Author Website: https://www.waynezell.com/

  Law Firm: https://www.zelllaw.com/

  Exit Planning Strategies: https://www.aspiretoexit.com/

  ???? Get his book: Your Multimillion Dollar Exit

About Wayne Zell

Wayne M. Zell, Esq., is a renowned attorney, Certified Exit Planner (CExP), award-winning author, and the CEO and Managing Member of Zell Law. With over 30 years of experience, Wayne is a trusted advisor in business succession, business exits, and estate planning. He is also the founder of Aspire to Exit, a consultancy dedicated to helping entrepreneurs plan and execute successful business transitions.

Wayne’s Amazon best-seller, Your Multimillion-Dollar Exit, provides a step-by-step process for entrepreneurs to design and achieve the best possible exit from their businesses. The book has garnered critical acclaim, earning the 2024 PenCraft Book Award and the 2024 American Legacy Book Award, and was highlighted by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of four must-reads for entrepreneurs breaking the mold.

In his legal practice, Wayne specializes in Business Success(ion) Planning, working with owners of closely-held businesses and non-profits on issues such as tax and exit planning, mergers and acquisitions, executive compensation, and CEO/founder challenges. He also serves on the boards of several private companies, providing hands-on expertise from formation to final sale.

As an expert in asset protection, Wayne advises clients on intricate estate planning strategies, including revocable and irrevocable trusts, family limited partnerships, charitable trusts, private and public foundations, and life insurance vehicles. His guidance helps clients secure their legacies while optimizing tax efficiency and philanthropic goals.

Wayne shares his expertise through Blueprint for Wealth, a videocast and podcast series available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. The show features interviews with entrepreneurs from diverse industries, offering insights into their secrets to success.

With over 37 years of experience, Wayne Zell has been the architect behind hundreds of multimillion-dollar transactions. His dedication to educating, advocating, and empowering his clients has made him a leader in business succession and estate planning. Through his work with Zell Law and Aspire to Exit, Wayne continues to help entrepreneurs build solid foundations for their businesses and achieve exits on their terms.

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