The Smart and Savvy Exit - The Importance of a Financial Advisor - Ellen McIlhenny

Ellen McIlhenny - “The Smart and Savvy Exit – Why a Financial Advisor an important member of your exit team”

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INTRODUCTION
I read an article last week that struck me, and I would like to share it with you today.  It is about a young man who is a high school senior in Leesburg Virginia.  His name is Ryan Lowry and he decided to write an open letter on LinkedIn for his post graduate job search. Here is an excerpt of his letter.

“My name is Ryan Lowry. I am 19 years old, and I have autism.  I also have a unique sense of humor, am gifted at math, really good with technology, and a really quick learner… I realize that someone like you will have to take a chance on me, I don't learn like typical people do.. I would need a mentor to teach me, but I learn quickly, once you explain it, I get it. I promise that if you hire me and teach me, you'll be glad that you did. I will show up every day, do what you tell me to do, and work really hard."

I mention this today because this Friday is National Autism Awareness Day, and I for one, know that like Ryan said, there is a whole population of people who are being overlooked as potentially excellent employees because, as Ryan said, they do not learn like typical people do. While there is high unemployment in certain sectors right now, there is a great need for people in less skilled jobs especially since additional unemployment benefits have been extended until late summer.
 
From 2010 until 2016 I served on the Virginia State Rehabilitation Council.  We are the advisory board for the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services’ supported employment program. During my tenure they introduced a program called Project Search. This program is a one-year transition to work program for high school seniors with special needs. Many of the students who were a part of the program when it first started were autistic. During their senior year, the students work on-site as interns with an aid to learn how to adapt to the workplace. The first businesses to participate were primarily hospitals but now I believe they have moved into the hospitality industry.

I remember hearing about how at first department heads were reluctant to participate because they felt like having the student there would be a distraction and they were “just too busy” to give these kids a chance. By the end of the year almost all the students were offered employment from the hospitals because they had all become model employees.  From the beginning Project Search was a success, and it was so heartwarming to go to their graduation and see how proud they were of their accomplishments.
 
Ryan’s letter brought back those memories when he said, “I will show up every day, do what you tell me to do, and work really hard." Once trained, a person with autism or Down Syndrome or countless other disabilities can be a potentially great employee. Please do not overlook them. Citizens with disabilities have been particularly hard hit by this pandemic.  Let us not forget them. 
By the way, that innovative young man, Ryan, has received several responses to his letter, including everything from offers to mentor to job opportunities.  He is currently weighing his options.
 
 
Show Objectives - The Why
 
Today I will be interviewing Mary Ashby a financial advisor in the Richmond, Virginia area. We are going to talk about why it is important to have a financial advisor on you exit team.

Key Issues

1. Insurance Planning

What are the kinds of insurance do you advise for small businesses?
What is Key Person Insurance?
What is a buy-sell agreement?

1. Asset Planning

How do you help in managing the assets of the business?

1. How do you help when Planning an Exit?
2. Managing Retirement

Why is it important to build value away from the business?
What are the different retirement plans?

 Shows 

• Previous: Podcast Episodes 45 – 48 of Season 4 - The Smart and Savvy Exit – Season Four Review – I review all the previous ten weeks and the various topics discussed.

Find My Podcast at https://pod.co/future-financial-confidence-with-ellen-mcilhenny

Next Week: We begin season 5 with an overview of the topics we will discuss during the 13-week season.

Resources:
Written by Ellen McIlhenny 
Owner of CFO Plus Services, a Fractional CFO services firm which also offers Back Office Bookkeeping Services.  Author of the business novel The Big Turnaround; How Bad Management Nearly Destroyed an Exceptional Company. Check it out at https://thebigturnaround.com


You can connect with Ellen on any of her #cfoplusservices platforms or ellen@cfoplusservices.com
https://cfoplusservices.com
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