The conversation I have most often
They've built something real. The business works. But when it comes to the exit — the valuation, the tax structure, the succession, what comes after — the plan is still mostly in their head. That's not a criticism. It's just where most owners are five years out.
‘I have a number in my head, but I’ve never stress-tested it against what the market would actually pay.’
‘The business is doing well, but I don’t know what the next 24 months should actually look like to be ready.’
‘I’m not sure whether the business gets sold, passed down, or run by someone I haven’t met yet.’
‘By the time the deal is on the table, my options narrow fast. The LCGE, estate freeze, holdco — I keep hearing about them but haven’t acted.’
‘I’ve spent 25 years building this. I have no idea what Monday looks like after I sign.’
What a second opinion looks like
You walk me through where the business is and where you want to end up. No intake forms. No pitch deck.
A structured review of your exit readiness: valuation, tax structure, succession path, and what ‘walking away comfortably’ actually costs for you.
Keep your current adviser, engage further, or simply use the document. There’s no obligation at any step.
About Neal Owen
Neal Owen has spent three decades working exclusively with Canadian business owners on the decisions that define what they keep: exit structure, succession, tax-efficient wealth transfer, and what a genuinely comfortable retirement actually requires. He works with a small number of clients each year, coast to coast, by design.
Most owners Neal sits down with have never had their plan stress-tested by someone who does this work full-time. The second opinion isn't a sales process. It's a structured conversation with a written output — and you keep it regardless of what you decide next.
Common questions